[November 22, 2009] Some C.H.I.P.. premiums skyrocket Tweet Nov 22, 2009 (Erie Times-News - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Local families who participate in the Pennsylvania Children's Health Insurance Program might have seen their monthly premiums skyrocket in October. Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, one of four insurance companies administering the low-cost health insurance in northwestern Pennsylvania, stopped subsidizing the premiums for families who fall between 200 percent and 300 percent of federal poverty guidelines. As a result, these families are paying up to 78 percent more to provide their children with health insurance. "We voluntarily provided these subsidies to families," Highmark spokesman Aaron Billger said. "But unreimbursed administrative expenses by the state and increased medical costs make it no longer financially feasible to continue." C.H.I.P.. coverage is offered on a tiered basis. Families who earn up to 200 percent of federal guidelines pay nothing for coverage, while families who earn more than 300 percent pay $232.68 per child per month. But families who fall between those levels now pay either $45.42, $63.59 or $72.68, depending on their income. This includes 500 Erie County and 159 Crawford County children, about 20 percent of all C.H.I.P.. enrollees, Billger said. Other health insurers that administer C.H.I.P.. in Erie and Crawford counties include UPMC and Unison. Aetna offers it in Erie County only. DAVID BRUCE can be reached at 870-1736 or by e-mail. To see more of the Erie Times-News, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.GoErie.com. Copyright (c) 2009, Erie Times-News, Pa. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email [email protected], call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]