Comment Period for "Blues" Subsidiaries Remains Open

Sen. White urges submission of questions, concerns to Insurance Department

The public comment period on the proposed merger of the for-profit subsidiaries of Highmark, Inc. and Independence Blue Cross (IBC) is still open and Senator Don White, Chairman of the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee, is strongly encouraging interested parties to submit their concerns to the state Department of Insurance.

In addition, the Department will hold public informational meetings in Pittsburgh, Harrisburg and Philadelphia in July to collect testimony as well.

"I am extremely pleased that the Insurance Department has already received more than 100 individual comments on this merger. This is a massive proposal which could affect millions of individuals and thousands of businesses in Pennsylvania," Senator White said. "It is essential that those people and companies review the filings submitted by Highmark and IBC regarding their for-profit subsidiaries and submit questions, comments and concerns to the Department of Insurance."

The Insurance Department will hold the following hearings this month to gather testimony:

Tuesday, July 8 – Westin Pittsburgh Convention Center, 1000 Penn Avenue
Thursday, July 10 – Harrisburg Hilton and Towers, One North Second Street.
Tuesday, July 15 – Sheraton Philadelphia City Center Hotel, 201 North 17th Street.

Each hearing will include a morning session, beginning at 9 a.m., and an evening session, starting at 7 p.m.

The lengthy list of for-profit subsidiaries involved in the proposed merger include:

AmeriHealth HMO Inc.;
First Priority Life Insurance Company, Inc.;
Gateway Health Plan, Inc.;
HealthGuard of Lancaster, Inc;
HM Health Insurance Company d/b/a Highmark Health Insurance Company;
HM Life Insurance Company;
Highmark Casualty Insurance Company;
Highmark Senior Resources, Inc.;
HMO of Northeastern Pennsylvania, Inc. d/b/a First Priority Health;
Keystone Health Plan East, Inc.;
Keystone Health Plan West, Inc.;
QCC Insurance Company;
Region 6 RX Corp.;
United Concordia Companies, Inc.;
United Concordia Dental Plans of Pennsylvania, Inc.;
United Concordia Life and Health Insurance Company;
Vista Health Plan, Inc.

The applications and related materials filed by IBC and Highmark regarding those for-profit subsidiaries are available for review on the Department of Insurance web site. Go to www.insurance.state.pa.us and click on "Highmark/IBC Filing."

Written statements are also being accepted by the Department. They must include the name, address and telephone number of the person making the statement; identification of the application to which the statement is addressed; and, a concise and detailed narrative specifically identifying the basis of the statement. Written statements should be sent to:

Robert Brackbill
Chief, Company Licensing Division,
Pennsylvania Department of Insurance,
1345 Strawberry Square,
Harrisburg, PA 17120

They may also be sent via fax: (717) 787-8557 or via e-mail: rbrackbill@state.pa.us

"It is essential that the appropriate oversight procedures take place," Senator White said. "All aspects of this mega-merger, involving so many for-profit subsidiary companies, must be transparent and fully subject to public review and scrutiny."

Contact:

Joe Pittman
(724) 357-0151, cell (724) 541-0552