PEIA Premium Offset Salary Adjustment FAQs

How is the money given from the state to WVU being used?

The West Virginia Legislature provided WVU with a limited amount of money to address the PEIA insurance premium increases for Plan Year 2024. Eligible WVU employees will receive the difference in their annual premium increase up to a maximum of $1,000 to their annual base salary.

Who is eligible for the one-time premium offset salary adjustment?

WVU benefits-eligible employees who were enrolled in PEIA or The Health Plan insurance programs through WVU as of July 1, 2023, and will remain on payroll through Aug.13, 2023. Due to the unique nature of their compensation structures and employment agreements, WVU’s PEIA Premium Offset Salary Adjustment is not available to WVU Research Corp. employees, medical, dental and pharmacy residents, as well as clinical faculty who have a dual employment relationship with WVU Medicine.

When do the salary adjustments go into effect?

The base salary adjustment will go into effect Sunday, Aug. 13. Employees who are receiving a salary adjustment will see the increase on their Sept. 8 pay statement.

How do I find my base salary?

Follow these instructions to review salary information in the Applaud HR system. Prior to Wednesday, Aug. 9, you will be able to view your current base salary. As of Monday, Aug. 14, you will be able to see your new base salary with the premium offset included. You will not be able to see your previous base salary.

How do I know what health plan I am enrolled in?

Follow these instructions. You also may call PEIA at 1-888-680-7342.

How do I know what my old premium is versus my new premium?

For your convenience, we have created a page to compare your old premium versus your new premium costs. In addition, current and previous premiums are always available in the Shopper’s Guides on the PEIA website. Note: The chart does not include the spousal surcharge or the tobacco-free discount.

What if I have the new ‘Family with Eligible Spouse’ coverage type with Spousal Surcharge?

If you have a spouse that is offered health coverage available through their employer but has chosen PEIA coverage instead, you moved from ‘Family’ coverage to ‘Family with Eligible Spouse’ for Plan Year 2024. Family with Eligible Spouse coverage is the ‘Family’ premium plus the Spousal Surcharge cost. The spousal surcharge is not included in the premium offset. When viewing the page to determine your annual increase, for ‘Health Coverage Tier’, please use ‘Family.'

Does this affect the Tobacco-Free discount?

No. The tobacco-free discount is not included in the premium offset salary adjustment. When viewing the page to determine your annual increase, those are the premiums without the tobacco-free discount. If you received the discount as of July 1, you will continue to have your premium reduced ($25 a month for single coverage or $50 a month for family coverage).

What if I don’t carry health insurance through WVU?

The West Virginia Legislature provided WVU with a limited amount of money to address the PEIA insurance premium increases for Plan Year 2024. Therefore, no premium offset salary adjustments will be available to employees not enrolled in PEIA or The Health plan health insurance plans.

Does this only apply to health insurance?

Yes. This adjustment does not apply to dental, vision or any other voluntary benefit you are enrolled in.

What if I changed plans during this recent Open Enrollment?

The premium offset salary adjustment is based on the plan you are currently enrolled in as of July 1, 2023. The adjusted amount will be determined by comparing your current plan’s premium to the same plan’s premium from the previous fiscal year (please see this page). You will not use your former plan’s premium that ended on June 30, 2023.

What if I pick up health insurance due to a qualifying life event after July 1?

The West Virginia Legislature provided WVU with a limited amount of money to address the PEIA insurance premium increases for Plan Year 2024. Therefore, only employees who were enrolled in PEIA or The Health Plan insurance programs through WVU as of July 1 and remain on payroll through Aug. 13 will receive the one-time premium offset.

What if I was hired in July 2023 or after?

How will the premium offset be distributed?

The difference in your annual health insurance premium increase will be added to your current base salary, with a maximum of $1,000. The premium offset will be distributed over each of the 26 pays per year. However, benefits are only deducted on 24 pays a year, which means the premium offset will not be the exact same as the health benefit deduction on each pay statement.