WEST VIRGINIA (LOOTPRESS) – West Virginia’s PEIA Finance Board has signed off on another round of insurance cost increases, approving changes Thursday that will raise premiums for both public employees and the state agencies that employ them beginning next year.
Under the newly adopted plan, workers covered by PEIA will face an overall 3% premium increase, shared between employees and employers. One of the most significant adjustments is a steep jump to the spousal surcharge, which will climb by $200 per month.
All changes are scheduled to take effect July 1, 2026.
The vote followed a series of public hearings held across the state over the past several weeks. Employees, retirees, and union representatives used those meetings to urge the board to reconsider more cost hikes, arguing that families are already strained by rising expenses and last year’s heavy increases.
Although this round of changes drew criticism, the reaction was noticeably calmer than in 2023, when the board enacted much larger adjustments — including premium hikes of 14% for state employees, 16% for local government plans, and a 12% increase for retirees. PEIA also implemented a 40% jump in deductibles during that cycle.
Elaine Harris, who represents state workers, addressed the board prior to the final vote on Thursday. She said that, despite the more modest increases this year, many workers and retirees simply cannot absorb any additional financial burden.
“Public employees are struggling, and the struggle is real,” Harris said. “They’re having to make tough choices every day — and retirees are feeling it even more.”
Harris added that skyrocketing prescription drug prices nationwide continue to put pressure on the system, leaving the board with limited options as it attempts to keep the program solvent.
