CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) — Health insurance costs for West Virginia’s public employees are poised to rise again next year under a new proposal from the Public Employees Insurance Agency (PEIA) Finance Board.

The plan calls for an average 3% increase in premiums beginning July 1, 2026, along with an additional $200 annual increase for workers covering a spouse.

PEIA officials say the changes are needed to keep pace with rising healthcare costs after several years of frozen rates between 2018 and 2022, when then-Gov. Jim Justice promised no premium hikes. Since that freeze ended, rates have climbed sharply — including a 14% increase this fiscal year.

Unlike previous years, this time no state employee pay raise was issued to help offset the cost.

If the board’s five-year plan is approve

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