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W. Va. Public Employees Agency Could Get Millions In Cuts

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) – The West Virginia Public Employees Insurance Agency, which provides state and public school employees with health insurance, could receive a $25 million benefit cut.

The Charleston Gazette-Mail reports the PEIA Finance Board gave preliminary approval Thursday to a 2017-18 plan that cuts benefits to help cover higher-than-projected increases in prescription drug costs for the year.

There are no across-the-board premium increases proposed, but the plan does call for setting premiums based on total family income.

Among other proposed changes is compressing what is now 10 premium tiers into four, which would reduce premiums for the highest-salaried employees.

The proposed plan will go out for six public hearings around the state, taking place from Nov. 9 to Nov. 17, with the PEIA Finance Board scheduled to vote on the final plan Dec. 1.