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Article: PEIA: West Virginians can't fund higher pay and more health care
- Article from:
- Charleston Daily Mail
- Article date:
- December 3, 2002
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright 2002 Charleston Daily Mail. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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THE news from the Public Employees Insurance Agency's war against
mushrooming costs is not encouraging.
In October, the agency's actuary projected that the total cost of
the program would rise from $456 million in fiscal 2002 to $750
million by fiscal 2006.
In mid-November, agency officials announced that they were
considering ways to save money. Instead of charging employees a $15
copayment for doctor visits, the agency might charge only a $5 co-
payment for uncomplicated visits, but start charging a $20 co-
payment for more extensive procedures - the better to prevent
"upcoding" by doctors.
Teachers unions objected, saying many people would pay their
doctors instead of challenging their ...