Pennsylvania may invoke Act 94 in Jefferson-insurer contract standoff
Jefferson Health faces Dec. 31 contract termination deadlines with Independence Blue Cross and Highmark. The Pennsylvania Insurance Department says it will invoke Act 94 consumer protections if the parties fail to reach new agreements by that date, which can trigger public hearings and allow the department to suspend termination for up to six months. For Highmark, the negotiation covers employer-sponsored commercial, ACA, Federal Employee Program, CHIP and Medicare Advantage lines, but excludes Medicaid, Medigap and dual-eligible special needs plans; IBX's affected product lines were not confirmed. Highmark said it sent about 120,000 letters to affected individuals, and both insurers confirmed giving advance notice to the department as required under state law.