Health Insurance

WVU, through the WV Public Employees Insurance Agency (PEIA), offers employees and their dependents a variety of choices for health insurance coverage. A brief summary of some of those choices are listed below. Employees have the month of hire plus the following two (2) months to enroll in health insurance. Health insurance coverage becomes effective the first day of the month following enrollment. The 2008-2009 PEIA Shopper's Guide offers a side by side comparison of the plans offered by PEIA. The PEIA Plan Summary for 2008-2009 provides detailed information regarding the various plans and services. For more information, please visit PEIA's website or contact the WVU Division of Human Resources Benefits Office.

PEIA PPB Plan

PEIA offers the Preferred Provider Benefit (PPB) Plans A & B, which include benefits for hospital, surgical, prescription drug, and other medical expenses. PEIA PPB Plan A is the standard preferred provider benefit plan which has been offered since 1999. Plan A is available to all active and retired employees. PEIA offers PEIA PPB Plan B to all active employees; retirees are not eligible to participate in Plan B. Plan B is similar to PPB Plan A, but offers lower premiums with higher deductibles, higher out-of-pocket maximums, and higher co-payments for prescription drugs. Full details of the benefits offered by the managed care plans can be found in the 2008-2009 PEIA Shopper's Guide.

The medical benefits are identical in both plans, with higher medical deductibles in Plan B. The prescription benefits are similar, but Plan B requires higher deductibles and co-payments from employees.

Managed Care Plans

PEIA offers managed care plans in certain areas of the state. You must reside in an area where PEIA offers a managed care option to be eligible to join the plan. The managed care plans offer a more comprehensive benefit package, but their premium costs may be more than for the PEIA PPB Plan. Currently PEIA offers both HMO and PPO coverage through managed care plans. Full details of the benefits offered by the managed care plans can be found in the 2008-2009 PEIA Shopper's Guide.

COBRA

Employees and their enrolled dependents may have the right to continue existing health covergage for a limited time under the Federal Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA). PEIA's COBRA program is administered by Acordia National, and all COBRA eligibility is maintained by Acordia National. New enrollees in any PEIA-sponsored health plan will receive a detailed notice of their COBRA rights from Acordia National.

COBRA/PEIA Information

The plans included under the Mountaineer Flexible Benefits program are also subject to the COBRA provisions. Contact the contract administrator, Fringe Benefits Management Company, for detailed COBRA information regarding the continuation of dental plans, vision plans, or the Medical Flexible Spending Acount. 1-800-342-8017

Health Insurance Providers: