PEIA Hikes Approved
PEIA Hikes Approved Save Email Print
Posted: 5:28 PM Dec 4, 2008
 Last Updated: 9:24 PM Dec 4, 2008
 Reporter: WSAZ and the Associated Press
Email Address: news@wsaz.com
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CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - The more than 200,000 people who rely
on West Virginia's Public Employees Insurance Agency for health
care can expect higher monthly premiums or out-of-pocket expenses
after June 2009.

The program's Finance Committee voted Thursday to approve rate
changes to address rising costs.

But the committee shelved proposed benefit changes, following
criticism from hundreds of enrollees at public hearings held
throughout the state last month.

Plan members also opposed the rate hikes, but officials say they
mark the first increase in three years.

The higher costs vary.

Tobaco-free active employees who make $36,000 annually will see
monthly premiums rise $3 to $13.

Retired state employees under 65 will have an 11% increase, while retirees over 65 won't see premium hikes, but their out-of-pocket
maximum will go from $500 to $750.

Non-state employess who have PEIA Insurance will see an average increase of about 12%.
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Posted by: Flunky on Dec 28, 2008 at 12:51 AM
"FLUNKY" - That's what I feel like saying what my job title is from working with the state for 32 years and only make $22,000. People hired now, makes more than I do for less time and job knowledge. The longer you work there, the DUMBER you become I guess. It's sad when you are a 'DEDICATED' STATE EMPLOYEE (which are very hard to come by these days) for caring people who love working with the patrons and visitors and townspeople that visit the STATE OF WV. You will hear thousands of Thank Yous from them on a job well done, but for what? We need our pay raised just as much, if not more, than some of the state workers that set around and decide our fate. We need food, as well as Healthcare, Medicine and Clothing for our children that we cannot afford to buy. How does children & adults on welfare get FREE HEALTH & DENTAL and ours suffer? Somethings very wrond here!!!!!!!!!!!! Help make us feel PROUD to be WV EMPLOYEES. Give us a fair raise. Some would be better than none.
Posted by: Still very Concerned on Dec 12, 2008 at 02:16 PM
If you are concerned about the constant erosion of benefits and ever increasing premiums, support your retirees group or union. PERSA would be a good place for retirees to start. PERSA is $1 a month. It’s open to actives too. Go to www.peiawatch.wordpress.com to find various groups. Go the rallies in Feb. Call & write all the delegates, not just your own, as many are on a number of committees that can help. Legislative interim meeting dates December 7 – 9. Benefits are being shredded away bit by bit, year by year & the plan bears little resemblance to the under which most were hired. Ever increasing copays, increasing drug copays ($50 on some), escalating premiums, loss of traditional coordination of benefits, & forcing Medicare retirees of Original Medicare (while the private Medicare companies reap the profits), have eroded benefits beyond recognition. Many can not afford to even use the insurance due to copays with no cap, that do not apply to deductible or Out of Pocket Maximum.
Posted by: Very Concerned on Dec 12, 2008 at 09:14 AM
No worker public or private should ever loose the benefits they earned. The PEIA’s projected increase in premiums over the next 4 years totals 57% for active employees & 64% for retirees. They should quit saying there hasn’t been a premium increase in 3 years, unless they tell the whole story. Yes they did not raise premiums in 3 years, but just a short 1 1/2 years ago they increased copays on brand name drugs not on their list from $30 to $50 and forced Medicare retirees off Original Medicare, and onto private Medicare Advantage. They also when from traditional coordination of benefits to “carve out,” which is a decrease in benefits. They should not use employee premiums or their 80/20 match to fund their unfunded liability, that is the state’s responsibility, that they should have be doing all along. Also they should not take away benefits to make their liability less, that is not funding their liability, it’s a failure to provide the very benefits for which they were liable.
Posted by: State Employee on Dec 8, 2008 at 08:12 AM
I myself did not not would have I voted for Manchin again. There are approx 200,000 state employees and only a small amt even make over $30,000 a year and yet Manchin sees fit to give himself a $55,000 raise while the staff of the state pinch pennies and receive welfare benefits, that is if you don't make $30-$50 more that the income guidelines, which is the case with most workers. He has allowed the insurance increase and yet ni mention on a reasonable increase in pay to help us pay for our healthcare, is that not what he was pushing for his re-election, Healthcare for everyone, yea, everyone that can afford it that is. If they had a surplus they why are we getting increases. I thought I was going a good thing by getting off welfare and going to work for the state, boy was I wrong, working for the state is a joke and embarassment. We have state hospitals that have serious employee retention problems and this could be resolved with better paying jobs. Why did you put JM back in!!!
Posted by: fed up on Dec 5, 2008 at 12:42 PM
let's just strike! or start looking for jobs in ky and ohio... i guess the govenor needed a pay raise to compensate for the hike in health insurance...what about the rest of us???? (and yes i can complain about the govenor, i didnt vote for him!)
Posted by: STATE WORKER on Dec 5, 2008 at 12:38 PM
THATS JUST GREAT AND AS ALREADY SAID WHAT STATE WORKER MAKES $36,000. MOST OF US QUALIFY FOR WELFARE BENEFITS, ITS DISGUSTING. WE ARE ALSO TAXPAYERS AND TELL ME, WHERE IS ALL OF THE STATES MONEY GOING? NOT TO THOSE OF US WHO ARE OUT THERE COLLECTING THE STATES MONEY. WHERE WOULD THIS STATE BE IF ALL OF THE STATE EMPLOYEES WHO MAKE UNDER 36,000 WENT ON STRIKE. CHECK OUT THE STATE EMPLOYEE PAY LIST AND SEE HOW MANY MANCHIN'S ARE ON THE PAYROLL AND LOOK HOW MUCH ALL OF THEM MAKE. NOT ONLY IS MANCHIN'S DAUGHTER GIVEN DEGREES THAT SHE DIDN'T EARN, JOE HIMSELF IF GETTING A RAISE THAT HE HASN'T EARNED.
Posted by: Debbie on Dec 5, 2008 at 10:26 AM
Unbelievable! Excess money left over from last year, the state is ok financially, what is wrong with this picture? Teachers need to take their degrees, their families, their future, and move across the state line!
Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 5, 2008 at 09:53 AM
The governor keeps raising insurance and taxes, but he has stopped all raises for all state employees. Well at least I can say I didn't vote for him. Half of the State employees that are complaining voted him back into office. He didn't do anything to help us in his first 4 years what made you think he would now?
Posted by: kevin on Dec 5, 2008 at 09:33 AM
the state needs to offer other plans from other insurances and let the workers deceide what one to chose I know we can find it cheaper,wv has stuck it to the workers again, they just took the little pay raise they did give us, come on wv wake up.
Posted by: SUSIE on Dec 5, 2008 at 08:17 AM
I AGREE WITH "FED UP", I WORK AS A TEACHER AND SEE MY NEIGHBORS ,WHO NEVER WORK, BUT HAVE THE BEST MEDICAL CARE. THEY HAVE THE STATE "GOLD CARD" FOR PEOPLE WHO KNOW HOW TO WORK THE SYSTEM. I WORK 5 DAYS A WEEK AND CAN BARELY AFFORD TO HAVE ANY EXTRAS BUT THESE PAIN PILL/NERVE PILL FREAKS DON'T WORRY BOUT PAYING A DOCTORS' BILL, AND THEY GET ALL THEIR MEDICATIONS FREE!! HOW COME???
Posted by: State Worker on Dec 5, 2008 at 08:15 AM
Who makes $36,000 a year that works for the state? It is sad when the Gov's raise is higher than most state workers incomes. It is a sad shame
Posted by: Joe on Dec 5, 2008 at 07:31 AM
One thing that you failed to mention was that PEIA has a surplus of money from the previous year, I believe was in the neighborhood of $116 million dollars and are taking another chunk out of Public employees raises. Public employees in the the state of West Virginia have no voice and no recourse, we can't even appeal decisions like these.
Posted by: Allen on Dec 4, 2008 at 11:36 PM
What could we do to stop all these problems about the cost of healthcare in our country? If only we could figure out a way to make it affordable.Oh wait a minute,there are a group of people that have come up with a solution.They are called EVERY COUNTRY BUT US! Canada,England,France,Germany and on and on,they have universal healthcare and guess what...they are healthier than the U.S.They rank better than us in all major categories,just google world health rankings for proof! I can't afford to pay for my own personal fireman and policeman.I can't afford to pave I-64.And I can now not afford health insurance.If you don't have your health then you don't have anything.
Posted by: Dummer Don on Dec 4, 2008 at 10:13 PM
What difference does it make if retired? All retirees are on fixed income, whether you are 65 or 35. IDIOTS!
Posted by: Retired on Dec 4, 2008 at 10:02 PM
Best thing to do, is leave the state and you can easily find teaching positions in Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, less taxes, free insurance, better pay. The Governor's salary goes from 95,000. to 150,000. in January. What a slap in our face.
Posted by: They need to cut on Dec 4, 2008 at 08:01 PM
some of the salaries over there. The legislature will be getting an ear full come this session I am sure. they have no valid reason for this rate hike when they play the role of not insurance but wannabe gods. I for one wished the governor would privatize this for the employees of the state as they keep taking and never provide adequate coverage for those of us in the plan.
Posted by: Fed up on Dec 4, 2008 at 07:35 PM
I just love this!!! I have a Master's degree, have worked for the school system for 10 years, am raising 3 kids on my own, am eligible for my kids to have free lunch at school, and the state is going to charge me more to make sure my family is healthy. What a crock!!!! Why don't they drop some of the loser welfare hounds, who get their pain pills and nerve pills free every month and maybe give the people who actually WORK in WV a break!
Posted by: Mary on Dec 4, 2008 at 06:51 PM
Shame on the PEIA board. Now retired state employees will have to decide on food or health care! A few years ago we took health care instead of pay raises, now we might as well as had a pay cut. Jobs outside the state are looking better and better! Where will WV find it's teachers now? DON'T TEACHER IN WV, IT DOESN'T PAY!!!!!
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The Yell: Comments for the Week of 1/4
  • Posted By: Fixed that for you: Any one who is paid by the general public, us, should have no problem taking urine tests. After all they are in the pubic debt for paying them. Its simple NO TEST, NO CHECK. This is not an attempt to violate rights, it is an attempt to enforce the publics right for our money to go to people in government and on welfare who can be TRUSTED.
  • Posted By: Chris to WSAZ: To all the workers and employees of WSAZ: Thank you for being there and allowing comments about the news.Our family watch only WSAZ news and enjoy each of you. I know that the recognition that you receive is little to none,but you deserve better.This goes out to the producers,cameramen,to everyone behind the scenes and the ones that are seen too. Thank you for having the best news program available to the public. God Bless Each and Everyone of You. Chris
  • Posted By: redbaron: in response to pablo on comment dated 01/06 - EXCUSE ME!! I do believe FIREFIGHTERS also risk their lives for total strangers and no they are NOT law enforcement!
  • Posted By: omg: I am so sick and tired of hearing how public school teachers are indebted to the public for their salary. Many of you are so freakin nosey that if your neighbor stopped too fast, you'd have to get a crane to remove your head from their rear. I am so tired of this drug test line. Teachers deserve to pee in peace and so do you. Why should teachers be forced to have their personal lives paraded all over the news? That is exactly what would happen. If a typical joe blow got fired from the coal mines for drugs, it wouldn't make front page news. A teacher being fired for drugs would. You people expect teachers to be the mother, father, grandparent, clergyman, counselor, as well as the teacher. You don't do anything with your kids but expect the teacher to fix all the problem you create. Some of them probably need drugs by the time they are done raising your spoiled kids who think the world owes them something on a silver platter. Take your own drug test before you get pregnant.
  • Posted By: Sophie: Re: The student (Hinzman?) being expelled for using foul language after being bullied & beaten on school grounds; you should not have been expelled for expressing your hurt, anger & disgust. You were a victim and did nothing. It is unreasonable to punish the victim - so what if he cussed - I'd cuss too if someone beat the beegeebers out of me. The kid who beat you should receive jail time & counciling; the kid who filmed you & released it on U-Tube should too. It has often been said that television is desensitizing our children so badly they have no empathy for others. This is a prime example. I hope the school board will have enough common sense to clear this victims school record of the incident as he should not have been expelled, and get him counciling also as such a trauma will surly have an effect on a young life.
  • Posted By: Boyd: Any one who is employed and gets paid by the general public, us, should have no problem taking urine tests. After all they are in the pubic debt for paying them for their work. Its simple NO TEST, NO JOB. This is not an attempt to violate rights, it is an attempt to enforce the publics right for federal, state and municipal employees who can be TRUSTED.
  • Posted By: George: As a parent I have no problem being drug tested. I'll stand in line right behind Katy.
  • Posted By: goodorbad: I look at it like this-if you dont have anything to hide, shut up and do the test!
  • Posted By: Rick: I think all teachers should be drug tested, I drive a transit bus for our county and I want the public to know I am drug free and teachers should want everyone to know the same, that their children are not in the care of people on drugs,if you have nothing to hide why object to random testing I know I don't
  • Posted By: Tea: I can't even imagine that our teachers have not been drug tested up until this time. Anyone who refuses should be fired. These are our children!!! People take drug test when they don't even work with people, let alone children. These are government jobs and we should have a say in what they have to do.
  • Posted By: Ari: Cheers to Rob-I feel ya!
  • Posted By: joe: I have worked for companies all over this nation and have had to take drug tests. Why should teachers be exempt from this practice? It is now common to be randomly tested(and I have been) so what makes a teacher any different than a steel worker. I can say proudly that I passed but I have seen those who didn't. They chose to use drugs and lost their jobs I didn't.
  • Posted By: Katy: As a teacher, I have no problem being randomly drug tested...as long as you agree to drug test the parents who enter the doors of my school as well. Most teachers deal with students who are exposed to/use more drugs and alcohol than any of the teachers. If these students or parents who are using drugs (and are not drug tested) enter our schools, the safety of the teachers and students are at risk. Since children spend more time with them, let's randomly drug test PARENTS, too!!!
  • Posted By: stephen: Why the heavy emphasis ont he damage to property and life Israel is doing . Where was the media uproar for years that Hamas was rocketing Israel irespective of innocent israelis.. Hamas is actualykilling their own citizens by firing rockets from UN schools and residents. Why does UN allow Hamas to use facilities for attacking Israel, then complain when Israel responds to protect their territory and citizens. Israel targets military targets, respons to from whence rockets or gun fire comes. What would we fire at if Huntington was attacked?Why does the media not put bla,e where balame belongs, and give moral support to the aggreived.What would America do if attacked? to whom would we listen? Russia, Saudi Arabia,Iran?.Media get REAL! Who has given Hamas and the Palestinians millions with which they could buy weapons---American taxpayers money!
  • Posted By: Robert: Although I feel for the employees that lost their positions at Cabell Huntington Hospital, at least more nurses were hired. I recently had a relative in the cardiac unit at Kings Daughters, in Ashland, and I was told that the nursing staff had been cut back and that no overtime was being given. This seems to be a drastic cut in patient care for a facility that spends thousands advertising that they are in the top 5% of cardiac hospitals in the country. I would be willing to wager that the Cleveland Clinic has not cut hours of those giving patient care.
  • Posted By: Boyd: If the state's budget is doing so well, why don't we use some of this money to help towns and cities in the state who are in trouble with their budget, or will this just become another pay raise for politicians?
  • Posted By: Rob: Why does everyone have to be so into using the term "racist" and have that kind of attitude. I know what my heritage is and who my ancestors were but you want to know what I consider myself? I AM AN AMERICAN! I was born and raised in this country and that's how I feel it should be. Born here, raised here.....then by God you are an American. Not an African American, not an Asian American etc. etc. You are an AMERICAN!
  • Posted By: Chris: To Ex-Officer: I agree with you 100% about the pay of police dept and the drug testing. I was formerly involved with the BCPD and had multiple ride alongs with the BCSO. I am probably one of their biggest critics due to having watch some of the bad side of the department for a long time. I wish that I could tell everything that I have seen officers do,which would put most of them behind bars or they'll lose their sheild, But retalliation is bad in our area. To the cops that do their job and do it with the best intentions, I proud of you and don't mean any disrespect. To the ones who I personally watch being more currupt then the "badguys" here,your day will be coming.
  • Posted By: Pablo: Teachers aren't the only ones underpaid. Law enforcement officers are underpaid also. And I'd like to speak about them. For example, I'm sure any parent would sacrifice their live for thier children. And several may give thier live to save their spouse. A few individuals may even do it for a close friend. But, I only know of 3 types of beings who will sacrifice thier lives for complete strangers; indeed even for people who hate them. The first would be our men and women in our armed forces. The second would be our law enforcement officers. And of course, third would be our Savior, Jesus Christ. Others are killed in the line of their employment, but not in order to save a complete stranger. Everytime a cop puts on his/her uniform, they can be a target for anyone upset about something. Even though it doesn't involve the cop personally, that very cop will give his life to save yours when a problem arises. We need to give our cops not only a wage, but a living wage and a great big THANKS.
  • Posted By: Craig: If what I am hearing is correct that Kanawha County teachers accepted a pay raise in return for submitting to drug testing, and then sued successfully so they do not have to be subject to testing, then why shouldn't we the taxpayers demand they return the raise?
  • Posted By: teresa: racist lmao i am one cherokee,german,irish,german,and who knows what else TIRED of hearing of racist comments u are either GOOD OR BAD k no skin color needed just evil or NOT
  • Posted By: Ex-Officer: I agree with Robert 100% I worked in law enforcement and loved the job but try to rise a family on less than 10.00 an hour (out of that pay for your own duty gear and gun). I believe that all public safety workers should be drug tested but i also believe that they should be paid for the job that they do. Not many people understand what a public safty worker goes through. Would you put your life on the line for this kind of pay? Remember the saying that you get what you pay for. I see this in several new officers in my area. Don't get me wrong there are still very good officers in law enforcement. Something really needs to be done about the low pay for these jobs.
  • Posted By: Garland: What's the difference between teachers and other workers(coal mineers, bus drivers, state employees,etc.)? Teachers aren't any better are they?
  • Posted By: : This is not a comment, but I would like comments on it please. What do you think of Poca High School? Racist or not?
  • Posted By: Robert: We the people, through our own self centeredness and apathy, have allowed our teachers and police officials to be some of the most underpaid people in the United States. We are trusting our childrens education and our public safety to the very people that are some of the most underpaid profesions in the U.S.. If I could change this, I would. However, I do believe that these people should be randomly drug tested. I work in the construction industry and I have no problem being drug tested. I have nothing to hide. I also believe that any person who is intrusted with the safety of others should have nothing to hide. This includes plitical officials up to and including the president.
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