PEIA Approves Benefit Cuts

The West Virginia Public Employees Insurance Agency has approved more than $50 million in 2017-18 health insurance plan benefits cuts for state and public school employees, many non-state public employees, and retirees. The Gazette-Mail reports the PEIA Finance Board approved the $28 million in benefit cuts for state and public school employees, primarily through higher deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums as well as mandatory 90-day prescription fills for maintenance drugs for chronic conditions. Board members representing public employees criticized the cuts, which come about five months after the Legislature approved a $43.5 million increase in employers’ PEIA premiums, resulting in a $14 million jump in employee premiums. Non-state employees will see premium increases of 6 percent, while retirees will experience a 4 percent rise.