CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The director of the state Public Employees Insurance Agency told state lawmakers Monday the PEIA Finance Board made no changes to the original proposal for next fiscal year’s health insurance plan for state workers.
Director Brent Wolfingbarger testified during monthly interim committee meetings taking place at the state capitol earlier this month.
He said the finance board stuck with the original proposal for an aggregate 3 percent increase in premium costs for workers beginning next fiscal year. The changes also include a $200 monthly spousal surcharge increase.
The increases will take effect July 1, 2026. Eastern Panhandle Senator and Senate Finance Chair Jason Barrett appeared December 9th on MetroNews Talkline. He explained the price increase but clarified it wouldn’t apply to everyone.
“It’s going from $350.00 a month to $550.00 a month, so I understand their concern,” Barrett said. “But I also think it’s important for the public to know that the spousal surcharge is only on those spouses who are offered coverage at their employer.”
“So those spouses of those on PEIA, a state employees that if if their spouse does not have insurance coverage offered to them at their employer then then there is no spousal surcharge on that.”
Barrett said the surcharge increase may cause many to drop the insurance which could lead to further increases in the future.
““As we continue to increase the surcharge, who is going to drop off,” he asked. “Which spouses are now going to say ‘I’m no longer going to take the plan and pay the surcharge.’”
“It’s the healthier folks because we’re going to price them out now (because) it makes more sense to to utilize the insurance offered at their employer.”
“So we will be left with those that are more unhealthy, which I think will make that surcharge go up at even greater rates than what the premiums will.”
