New York State
Insurance Department

ISSUED: 11/17/99

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

       The New York State Insurance Department has scheduled a public hearing December 1^st in Buffalo to consider an application for subscriber rate changes by Univera Healthcare – WNY (HMO), formerly known as Health Care Plan.

       The hearing will be held on the following date and time:

December 1st in Buffalo
Walter J. Mahoney State Office Building
Hearing Room Part 1
65 Court Street
Buffalo, NY
TIME: 10:30 AM

COMMUNITY-RATED CONTRACTS AND RIDERS AFFECTED:
       a)Prescription Drug Riders
       b) Subscriber Agreements

WEIGHTED AVERAGE PERCENTAGE CHANGE REQUESTED:
       a) 45%
       b) 14.5%

MEMBERSHIP AFFECTED: 173,000 members

PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE: January 1, 2000

       Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) are not permitted to change subscribed rates more than 10% without the prior approval of the Insurance Department.

       As an aid to the public, and at the suggestion of the Insurance Department, the Plan is making available to the public a summary of facts supporting its application. A copy may be obtained from the Plan’s office or from the Insurance Department.

       A copy of the complete subscriber rate increase application may be examined at the Plan’s offices at: 28 Church Street, Buffalo, NY 14202 or at the offices of the Insurance Department:

 
       Those wishing to speak at the hearing should notify Marie Filipiak at (716)847-7618 at the Insurance Department’s Buffalo Office.

       Those unable to attend any of the hearings may submit written statements for inclusion in the official record to the Public Affairs & Research Bureau at the Insurance Department’s New York City address.

COUNTIES AFFECTED: Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautanqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans and Wyoming.