Highmark ranks No. 1 in member satisfaction

Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield was ranked highest in member satisfaction with health plans in the Pennsylvania-Delaware region for a second consecutive year, according to a new J.D. Power and Associates 2009 National Health Insurance Plan Study. The study measures member satisfaction among 131 health plans in 17 regions throughout the United States, looking at coverage and benefits; provider choice; information and communication; claims processing; statements; customer service; and approval processes. The J.D. Powers study said Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield did particularly well in three of seven factors: coverage and benefits; provider choice; and approval processes.

AGH doctor to head MLB physicians group

Allegheny General Hospital sports medicine specialist Edward D. Snell has been elected president of Major League Baseball's Team Physicians Association. Dr. Snell is the head team physician for the Pittsburgh Pirates and director of the Primary Sports Medicine Fellowship program at Allegheny General Hospital. In his new role, Dr. Snell will work with other team physicians and league officials on a variety of issues including safety, screening, injury risks and improving medical care for players.

Heinz Field job fair planned for Tuesday

Heinz Field is holding a job fair on Tuesday in the East Club Lounge, accessible through Gate B, for people interested in part-time event-day employment. Applicants must be 18 or older. Interviews will be conducted from 3 to 7 p.m. More information online at www.steelers.com.

Pa. Supreme Court raises lawyers' fees

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court raised the annual fee for lawyers to register in the state from $175 to $200. Funds from the increase will be used to assist legal aid programs through the Interest on Lawyers' Trust Account known as IOLTA. The court said the account's revenues had declined because of the economic downturn and that the fee increase should give it about $1.5 million.

Tech development group awards two local grants

The Pennsylvania Nanomaterials Commercialization Center received a grant of $500,000 from the state's Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority to support its work in advanced materials research and manufacturing. The Authority also awarded $177,975 to the Hill House Development Corporation to further its development of the Pittsburgh Central Keystone Innovation Zone.

Also in business ...

Greenville Metals told state officials that it laid off 38 employees at its plant in Transfer, Mercer County. ... Toys R Us announced that it has introduced discount shops in the front of its stores featuring items for $1 to $3. ... Idearc Inc., the publisher of phone directories including Verizon Yellow Pages, has filed for bankruptcy with a tentative agreement with some lenders to cut debt to survive. ... Bayer MaterialScience said it formed a strategic collaboration with Velozzi, a California-based firm that is developing hybrid electric vehicles. BMS will supply materials, technology and expertise to the venture. ... Sun Microsystems, Inc. said it was laying off 36 workers in Pennsylvania by mid-June, eight of them in Pittsburgh.