Public Hearings On PEIA Changes Scheduled For March 27-29

A number of changes are coming to the Public Employees Insurance Agency and the public will have a chance to comment during four public hearings on the matter next week.

The changes follow lawmakers’ efforts to find a permanent fix to the state insurance program. They include a hike in premiums for active and retired state employees and more money for medical providers. 

This does not apply to non-state agencies, retirees, spouses employed by PEIA-participating agencies, or spouses whose coverage is through Medicare, Medicaid or TRICARE. 

Major changes to PEIA that will be effective July 1, include:

• A surcharge for spouses of active policyholders – if they have coverage elsewhere, but choose PEIA coverage instead. 

• A hike in premiums to return to a 80/20 employer/employee premium split

• Increasing reimbursement to providers to a minimum of 110 percent of Medicare’s reimbursement.

The hearings will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. as follows: 

• March 27: Charleston, Culture Center Theater 

• March 28: Morgantown, Hampton Inn & Suites

• March 28: Huntington, Mountain Health Arena

• March 29: Martinsburg, Holiday Inn

On March 30, the PEIA Finance Board will meet to adopt the plan which will take effect on July 1 prior to open enrollment in April. 

For more information on the public hearings, visit https://peia.wv.gov/news_center/Pages/SB268Hearings.aspx.