Neishloss& Fleming Inc.

Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield and Highmark Blue Shield would like to invite all of their agents to join them for a webinar to review updates to  their medically underwritten products.

One key update that will be discussed on the webinar is the addition of rating-tiers to their underwriting guidelines.  Highmark will be going from a four-tier rating system to a seven-tier rating system effective August 1, 2012.

For more information on this webinar, please see our Training Calendar.

Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield and Highmark Blue Shield have announced that they have filed benefit and rate changes with the Pennsylvania Insurance Department (PID).  These benefit and rate changes are proposed for October 1, 2012 for the following medically underwritten programs:

Blue Cross Blue Shield

• Direct Blue Preferred Provider Program
• PPO Blue High Deductible Health Plan
• Advance Blue Preferred Provider Program
• Simply Blue Preferred Provider Program
• Short Term Blue (benefit changes only)
• Keystone Blue HMO (rate change only)
• Complete care (rate change only)

Blue Shield

• Direct Blue Preferred Provider Program
• PPO Blue High Deductible Health Plan
• Advance Blue Preferred Provider Program
• Simply Blue Preferred Provider Program
• Short Term Blue (benefit changes only)

Specific details pertaining to the benefit and rate changes will be provided as soon as Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield and Highmark Blue Shield receive approval from the PID.

Should you have any questions, please contact Mary Ann Cannon, Patti DeSimone, or Christine Kaercher at 800-562-7733.

Highmark has invited all appointed agents to attend their July Renewal Seminar.  This seminar will focus on new products as well as other important information relating to July renewals.

For more information on this webinar, please see our Training Calendar.

Should you have any questions, please contact Mary Ann Cannon, Patti DeSimone, or Christine Kaercher at 800-562-7733.

Highmark, Inc. announced on Tuesday that they have added a private practice of orthopedic surgeons, Orthopedic Associates of Pittsburgh, to the new medical provider network that they are creating.

The five-surgeon group, who has offices in East Liberty, Monroeville, and White Oak was acquired on April 1st by Highmark.  Orthopedic Associates’ surgeons, Arnold S. Broudy, Michael Levine, David C. Neuschwander, Robert G. Liss and Gregory L. Hung, specialize in hip, knee, foot, ankle, spine, shoulder, and upper extremity surgery, and total joint replacement and sports medicine.

This is the third private physician practice purchased by Highmark in 2012.  In January, Premier Medical Associates, a 60-doctor practice out of Monroeville joined the provider network.  April 4th, Arthritis & Rheumatic Disease Associates, a three-doctor specialty group with offices in Monroeville, Brackenridge, and Greensburg joined the provider network.

Highmark’s new medical provider network is anchored by the five-hospital West Penn Allegheny Health System.

For questions, please contact Mary Ann Cannon, Patti DeSimone, or Christine Kaercher at 800-562-7733.