According to an article in today’s Philadelphia Inquirer, the Pennsylvania Insurance Department has apparently unofficially informed Highmark Blue Shield and Independence Blue Cross of certain conditions it will place on the merger. One condition, according to the Inquirer, would be that the combined company use only the Blue Shield trademark, but cease using the Blue Cross trademark so that another health insurer could compete statewide using the Blue Cross trademark. According to the article, both Highmark and IBC objected strenuously to this condition when it was first proposed over the summer.
A formal decision on the merger by the Insurance Department cannot officially be rendered until January 27th.