1520 Highmark Inc.; requesting authority to increase direct pay medical surgical product rates; filing no. 1-DPMS-97-HI

Highmark Inc.; Requesting Authority to Increase Direct Pay Medical Surgical Product Rates; Filing No. 1-DPMS-97-HI

[27 Pa.B. 4883]

   By Filing No. 1-DPMS-97-HI, Highmark Inc., d/b/a Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield in Western Pennsylvania and d/b/a Pennsylvania Blue Shield outside Western Pennsylvania, requests approval of an increase to its Direct Pay Medical Surgical product rates. The filing requests an increase of 18.8%, varying by Blue Cross Plan area. This rate change will produce an estimated additional annual income of $5.8 million and will affect approximately 37,400 policy holders. They request approval to implement the new rates effective January 1, 1998.

   Copies are available for public inspection, by appointment, during normal working hours at the Insurance Department's offices in Harrisburg, Pittsburgh and Erie.

   Interested parties are invited to submit written comments, suggestions or objections to Bharat Patel, Actuary, Insurance Department, Office of Rate and Policy Regulation, Bureau of Accident and Health Insurance, 1311 Strawberry Square, Harrisburg, PA 17120, within 30 days after publication of this notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

M. DIANE KOKEN,   
Acting Insurance Commissioner

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 97-1520. Filed for public inspection September 19, 1997, 9:00 a.m.]