PEIA members air concerns, wishes at Finance Board public hearing
PEIA plan participant
"We depend on the PEIA Finance Board to do more than just count pennies," she said. "We expect you to have a moral and ethical stance of some nature that recognizes the value of the human beings in
The board meets Thursday to consider proposals for the 2020 plan year. This was the second of four public hearings this week on the proposals. The first was Thursday in
PEIA Director
For all others, the board is considering two proposals: one from the Gov.
Both proposals remove the
The major difference between them is coverage for out-of-state services. Right now, all participants a 70-30 coinsurance split, where PEIA covers 70 percent of the care. Justice proposes going to 80-20 for the majority of participants, under Plan A, for care in border counties. The Task Force proposes 80-20 for Plan A participants at all out-of-state locations -- such as the
There's a cost difference between the two. Under the governor's plan, PEIA will use
"The topic of cross-border care was one of the most frequent concerns that was heard from plan participants," he said, and WVEA supports the
WVEA supports the appeal process for non-preferred drugs, he said. A doctor should decide what medication is needed. WVEA also supports the wellness program but urges the board to consider an alternate online version for rural participants who live too far from gyms and wellness centers.
Like the other speakers, he said he appreciates the two-year hiatus on changes, but costs have to be contained long term. "We believe the PEIA board should be our advocates," he said.
He was among those who suggested that the board annually propose two plans: one based on available funds with whatever cuts and cost hikes are needed, and one that keeps benefits and premiums the same while seeking money from the Legislature to make up the difference.
"Our state government has consistently given up many millions of dollars through tax giveaways," she said. "The lost revenue would have been more than enough to take care of PEIA. The state must invest in its people and this finance board must tell
Delegate
"We're being cheated," she said. "We know that's what's happening."
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