HighmarkHealthServicesUpdate

HIGHMARK-BCNEPA MERGER APPROVED

The Pennsylvania Insurance Department has approved the merger between Highmark Inc. and Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania (BCNEPA). The newly merged company will operate as Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield in BCNEPA's 13-county region and provide exciting opportunities for the merged company to meet the future health care needs of employers and consumers in the northeastern and north central Pennsylvania region.


We expect this merger to receive some media coverage. Download these talking points with additional details to help you address any questions you or your clients may have.

BCBS logo for NEPA communications

PENNSYLVANIA INSURANCE DEPARTMENT APPROVES HIGHMARK-BCNEPA MERGER

The Pennsylvania Insurance Department has approved the merger between Highmark Inc. and Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania (BCNEPA). The newly merged company will operate as Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield in BCNEPA's 13-county region.

Highmark will continue to provide health insurance coverage and administrative services to nearly 550,000 individuals in the BCNEPA service area.

As a result of the merger, BCNEPA will gain the financial resources, advanced technology and other tools to:

  • Offer new health care products and services to meet consumers' changing health care needs
  • Improve the quality, accessibility and affordability of health care in the community
  • Make investments to operate more efficiently and comply with governmental requirements
  • Sustain the strong presence of a not-for-profit, Pennsylvania-based organization that is committed to the region's economic vitality

The announcement of the merger has no impact on your clients' current contracts and health care benefits with BCNEPA. All current BCNEPA members will continue to use their current providers and ID cards.

The merger of Highmark and BCNEPA is a natural progression of the successful business relationship that the two companies have had for decades to better serve the health care needs of the residents of northeastern Pennsylvania.

We'll follow up with additional information in the next few weeks. If you have questions in the meantime, contact Kent Davidson, VP of Sales, at Kent.Davidson@bcnepa.com.