Highmark and Blue Cross of NE Pennsylvania set to merge

Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania (BCNEPA) and Highmark, two leading not-for-profit insurers in the eastern region, have announced their intention to join forces. The merger will combine the two companies’ operation centers and serve more than 5 million beneficiaries in Pennsylvania alone, in addition to Highmark’s coverage plans in Delaware and West Virginia and its 620 optical services retail stores.

"Healthcare is changing at an incredible pace. This merger will enable BCNEPA to continue to improve the quality, accessibility and affordability of health care across its region while taking advantage of Highmark's resources, tools and advanced technologies," said William Winkenwerder Jr., MD, president and CEO of Highmark Health, the parent company of Highmark Inc., in a corporate statement. "Bringing together BCNEPA and Highmark will be good for northeastern and north central Pennsylvania residents and the communities in which BCNEPA operates."

The deal is pending approval by the Pennsylvania insurance department.

Pamela Tabar

Pamela Tabar was editor-in-chief of I Advance Senior Care from 2013-2018. She has worked as a writer and editor for healthcare business media since 1998, including as News Editor of Healthcare Informatics. She has a master’s degree in journalism from Kent State University and a master’s degree in English from the University of York, England.