The Public Employees Insurance Agency (PEIA) is considering another significant increase in premiums, along with a series of plan changes for all participants in the coming year. The PEIA Finance Board met on October 24 and released a proposed plan that includes:
- An average 14% premium increase for state employees;
- An average 12% increase in premiums for retirees and non-Medicare retirees;
- A 40% increase in deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums for employees and non-Medicare retirees;
- An expected increase in the spousal surcharge from $147 to $350; and
- Other increases in copays, including therapy, ER, inpatient/outpatient, and pharmacy charges.
“These proposed increases are jaw-dropping, and will render health care unaffordable for many employees. It’s also likely to drive people to leave public education altogether, further exacerbating our educator shortage. It’s critical that teachers and service personnel attend the PEIA public hearings and speak out about how these proposed increases will hurt their families,” AFT-WV President Fred Albert said.
“Under this proposed plan, providers come out with increased revenue while plan participants are the ones paying the price. Addressing the challenges facing PEIA should not come at the expense of our teachers, school service personnel, and other public employees. It’s important for people to attend the public hearings in November and voice their concerns,” WVEA President Dale Lee said.
In addition to the proposed plan, the PEIA public hearings will be held this November.
Date | City | Location | Time |
Nov. 7, 2024 | Beckley | Beckley-Raleigh Convention Center 200 Armory Drive Beckley, WV 25801 | Registration: 5:30-6pm Begins: 6pm |
Nov. 12, 2024 | Martinsburg | Holiday Inn Martinsburg 301 Foxcroft Avenue Martinsburg, WV 25401 | Registration: 5:30-6pm Begins: 6pm |
Nov. 14, 2024 | Wheeling | The Highlands Event Center 355 Wharton Circle, Suite 253 Triadelphia, WV 26059 | Registration: 5:30-6pm Begins: 6pm |
Nov. 18, 2024 | Virtual Town Hall | Join by computer or smartphone: meet.google.com/fxe-wtgm-peg Join by phone: 1-413-350-0825 PIN Number: 426 346 783# | No Registration Period. Begins: 6pm |
Nov. 19, 2024 | Morgantown | The Erickson Alumni Center 1 Alumni Drive Morgantown, WV 26506 | Registration: 5:30-6pm Begins: 6pm |
Nov. 21, 2024 | Charleston | The Culture Center 1900 Kanawha Boulevard East Charleston, WV 25305 | Registration: 5:30-6pm Begins: 6pm |
Comments from those who cannot attend may be submitted in writing to the Finance Board at 601 57th St. SE, Suite 2, Charleston, WV 25304-2345, or by email to PEIAComments@wv.gov.
Join us and other public employees during the PEIA public hearings throughout the state in November.