The news story " Highmark's profit surges 146 percent " (April 1 and TribLIVE.com) quotes Nanette DeTurk, executive vice president and chief financial officer, as saying Highmark Inc. "had a very good year in 2010," which she credits in part to fewer claims.
Well, that may be true, but she failed to mention that those gains were also at the expense of Highmark members.
She goes on to say that one factor in that equation is people tend to go to doctors less often. That is true, because who can afford to go to the doctor and pay the copay, diagnostic fees and prescription costs, and then hundreds of dollars for the monthly Highmark premium?
In the past, Blue Cross/Blue Shield was the premier provider and did hold the gold standard in customer service and coverage. However, that is certainly the opposite today.
Premiums have skyrocketed and coverage has diminished to cover only a fraction of the cost of health care.
This is a company that disputes almost any claim received, increases monthly premiums in the middle of coverage's term and buries a member in paperwork if that member dares dispute it.
I guess it's more important for Highmark to support high-profile sports sponsorships than to care for its customers. In the meantime, Highmark's goal is obviously to keep us all alive long enough to get our last dollar before we finally go to our graves.
Cathy Bozzarelli
Washington Township, Westmoreland County
