CHARLESTON, W.Va. — State workers will have an opportunity beginning Monday to comment on proposals to raise health insurance rates beginning next July.

The state Public Employees Insurance Agency (PEIA) Finance Board will conduct its first of six public hearings in connection with the plans.

The PEIA Finance Board is proposing:

–10.5% premium increases and no benefits changes for state employees who get the insurance.
–13% premium increases for employees of local governments that opt into PEIA, plus the addition of a surcharge for eligible spouses of about $147.
–No changes in premiums or benefits for retirees who are eligible for Medicare.
–10% percent premium increases and no changes in benefits for people who are old enough to have retired but not old enough to be eligible for Medicare.

MORE See meeting schedule here

The premium increases are happening in large part because earlier this year the Legislature passed a multi-faceted bill in response to financial strains, making it mandatory that PEIA conform to an 80-20 cost split between the employer and employees.

The PEIA Finance Board will take public comment Monday evening in Wheeling, Tuesday in Martinsburg and Thursday in Morgantown. The board will host a meeting in Charleston on Monday, Nov. 13, in Bluefield on Nov. 14 and a virtual public hearing on Nov. 16.

The finance board is expected to take a final vote on the plan in December.