Press Release 11/17/99 - Department To Hold Public Hearing On North American Healthcare's Proposed Rate Increase

New York State Insurance Department
ISSUED: 11/17/99		FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DEPARTMENT TO HOLD PUBLIC HEARING ON NORTH AMERICAN HEALTHCARE’S PROPOSED RATE INCREASE The New York State Insurance Department has scheduled a public hearing November 30th in Dunkirk to consider an application for subscriber rate changes by North American Healthcare, Inc. (HMO). The hearing will be held on the following date and time:
November 30th in Dunkirk Sheraton - Dunkirk 30 Lakeshore Drive East Dunkirk, NY TIME: 2:00 PM
COMMUNITY-RATED CONTRACTS AND RIDERS AFFECTED: Prescription Drug Riders WEIGHTED AVERAGE PERCENTAGE CHANGE REQUESTED: 56.1% MEMBERSHIP AFFECTED: 21,000 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: 300 Corporate Parkway, Amherst, NY 14226 or at the offices of the Insurance Department:
	New York Office Health Bureau 25 Beaver Street, 2^nd Floor New York, NY 10004 (By Appointment Only) (212) 480-5242		Buffalo Office Walter J. Mahoney Office Building 65 Court Street Buffalo, NY 14202 (By Appointment Only) (716) 847-7618
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, Chemung, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans, Steuben and Wyoming.