Highmark Inc., Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania seek merger

Highmark Inc. and Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania are seeking approval for a merger, the Pennsylvania Insurance Department announced today.

"The highest priority in our review of this application is to see that consumers will be protected and the impacted health insurers remain financially strong and the market competitive," Insurance Commissioner Michael Consedine said in a news release, adding that the department's review process will be as transparent as possible. "Public input is an integral part of our evaluation and we encourage the public to review the filing and offer written comments. Additionally, we intend to host a public hearing in Northeastern Pennsylvania in an effort to understand any issues first-hand so that we have a full and robust public record."

The two nonprofit health insurers announced in November that they were pursuing a stronger affiliation, although the term "merger" was not used at that time.

Highmark, based in Pittsburgh, is among the largest health insurers in the U.S. and the fourth-largest Blue Cross and Blue Shield-affiliated company, operating health insurance plans in Pennsylvania, Delaware and West Virginia that serve 5.3 million members.

Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, offering health insurance products and administrative services to more than 540,000 people in 13 counties in northeastern and northcentral Pennsylvania

Source: Central Penn Business Journal