DAILY MAIL HEALTH REPORTER
Most state workers who don't smoke can save up to $120 a yearunder a new incentive offered by the Public Employees InsuranceAgency. Starting in July, PEIA will cut monthly premiums forfamilies by $10 a month and by $5 for individuals in the preferredprovider benefit program if members sign an affidavit saying theydon't use tobacco.
Officials believe it's the first such discount in the nation fora public insurance program.
'Anything that might encourage members to stop or not to start isa good thing,' said PEIA spokesman Bill Rainey.
PEIA's open enrollment period begins next week and ends May 4 - atime when the 203,000 members can switch the types of their healthinsurance coverage.
Last year, tobacco-related medical claims for such illnesses asemphysema, heart disease, bronchitis and cancer cost the agency$19.8 million, Rainey said. Between 30 percent and 35 percent ofthose enrolled in PEIA, or some 60,000 people, use tobacco products.
Total claims last year were $253 million.
While nearly 500 state workers enrolled in PEIA's new smokingcessation program last year, only about 100 actually quit, Raineysaid.
The affidavit will remind members that lying on it could resultin a conviction of insurance fraud, a felony offense. When claimsare submitted, reviewers will check to see if any are for tobacco-related problems.
'We're not the tobacco police,' Rainey. 'But we will be workingfor the cause of insurance fraud.'
All PEIA members face two premium increases. One is $13.50 forfamily coverage and $4 for individual coverage. The other is anacross-the-board increase of $10 for families and $5 for singles.The increases do not apply to state employees who earn below $18,000a year or those covered by managed care programs.
Meanwhile, members enrolled in the preferred provider benefitprogram could receive the $10 or $5 back if they are tobacco-free.
Each state agency, except for education and higher education,will pay a 2 percent increase for their workers. These employers,plus other employers who pay into PEIA, pay 87 percent of the healthinsurance plan cost. Employees pay about 13 percent.
PEIA members will have fewer insurance plans from which to choosefor next year, Rainey said. The Optimum Choice/ MAMSI Life & Healthpreferred provider organization has pulled out of PEIA. Some 854members currently are enrolled.
Carelink will offer only Plan B, eliminating Plan A, whichcurrently serves some 20,000 people.
That makes Carelink and the Health Plan of the Upper Ohio Valleythe only two health maintenance organizations available to publicemployees.
'HMOs represent only about 15 percent of our current population,'Rainey said. 'The consensus seems to be it should not cause us asignificant problem given the percentage of people involved.'
PEIA will hold 17 benefit fairs across the state between April 2and 26 to help explain options to enrollees. In Charleston, theinformation fairs will be held from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. April 5 atthe conference center at the state Capitol complex and from 3 to 7p.m. April 18 at the Charleston Civic Center.
Writer Therese Smith Cox can be reached at 348-4874 or by e-mailat therese@dailymail.com.
