Press Release 11/9/99 - New York Insurance Department to Hold Public Hearing on HealthNow's Proposed Rate Increase

New York State Insurance Department
ISSUED: 11/9/99		FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEW YORK INSURANCE DEPARTMENT TO HOLD PUBLIC HEARING ON HEALTHNOW’S PROPOSED RATE INCREASE The New York State Insurance Department has scheduled a public hearing November 22^nd in Albany to consider an application for subscriber rate changes by HealthNow New York, doing business as Blue Shield of Northeastern New York. The hearing will be held on November 22^nd at 11:00 a.m. at the Legislative Office Building, Room, Room 711-A, 7^th Floor, Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY.
COMMUNITY-RATED CONTRACTS AND RIDERS AFFECTED: Par Plus, Care Plus, Secure Blue, Secure Blue Extra and Medicare Supplement contracts and riders WEIGHTED AVERAGE PERCENTAGE CHANGE REQUESTED: 14.6% MEMBERSHIP AFFECTED: 21,200 indemnity members PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE: January 1, 2000 Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) cannot change subscriber rates more than 10% without the prior approval of the Insurance Department. A summary of facts supporting the company’s application may be obtained from the company’s headquarters at 187 Wolf Road, Albany, NY 12205 or from the Insurance Department. The complete subscriber rate increase application may be examined at the Plan’s offices or at the offices of the Insurance Department:
	New York City Office Health Bureau 25 Beaver Street New York, New York 10004 (By Appointment Only) (212) 480-5242		Albany Office Agency Building One Empire State Plaza Albany, New York 12257 (By Appointment Only) (518) 474-4567
Those wishing to speak at the hearing should notify Deborah Greer at the Department’s Albany Office. Those unable to attend the hearing may submit written statements for inclusion in the official record within 10 days of the hearing date to the Public Affairs & Research Bureau at the Insurance Department’s New York City Office. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Department will provide a reasonable accommodation, such as a sign language interpreter, a qualified reader, etc., at no charge to any covered individual wishing to attend or testify at the hearing when such a request is made at least seven days before the hearing. COUNTIES AFFECTED: Albany, Clinton, Columbia, Dutchess, Essex, Greene, Montgomery, Orange, Putnam, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Sullivan, Ulster, Warren and Washington.