OPEN ENROLLMENT
Open enrollment for the City of Charleston’s Medical, Dental/Vision, Flexible Spending Account (FSA), Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (DCFSA), Health Savings Account (HSA), and Supplemental Life Insurance ends May 15, 2026, with coverage changes effective July 1, 2026. During open enrollment, you can make changes to your health, dental/vision plan, and supplemental life insurance. You can add, drop, or change coverage for yourself and your dependents without a qualifying event. You may also enroll in a flexible spending account or dependent care flexible spending account.
There are two ways to enroll or make changes to your medical benefits:
1. Electronic Enrollment: Visit the PEIA website at peia.wv.gov, select “Manage My Benefits,” and complete your enrollment. This can be done via smartphone or computer, or you can visit Human Resources for assistance..
2. Paper Enrollment: If you prefer to enroll by paper or contribute to your FSA/DCFSA/HSA, contact HR or complete the applicable forms found at the City’s Open Enrollment website https://www.charlestonwv.gov/government/city-departments/human-resources/open-enrollment.
If you are enrolling for the first time or are adding new dependents it is important to note that all enrollments, either paper or electronic, will require submission of copies of marriage certificates, birth certificates, adoption decrees and/or court orders, where applicable. PEIA will now accept photos of legal documents. The photo must be clear and unedited. Your enrollment will not be processed until documents are received. ALL paper enrollment and any additional required documents must be faxed to (304) 348-8055, emailed to joshua.thaxton@cityofcharleston.org or received in HR no later than May 9, 2026.
PEIA MEDICAL COVERAGE
PEIA is updating the naming of its Preferred Provider Benefit (PPB) plans to a “metal” tier system:
PPB Plan A → Gold Plan
PPB Plan B → Silver Plan
PPB Plan C → Gold High Deductible Plan
PPB Plan D → WV Bronze High Deductible Plan
There is no increase in deductibles for PPB Gold (PPB Plan A) or PPB Gold High Deductible plans (PPB PLAN C). For those enrolled or enrolling in PPB Gold High Deductible plan, the City will continue to make monthly contributions to the Health Savings Account (HSA) based on the coverage level you enrolled in.
The City subsidizes the cost of the PPB Gold Plan (Plan A) and the PPB Gold High Deductible Plan (Plan C). Due to premium increases from PEIA for non-state agencies, the City will maintain its current 80/20 premium split (City/Employee) for the 2027 plan year. There is still no spousal surcharge for City employees. The new premium rates, deductible amounts, and the PEIA Shopper’s Guide for Plan Year 2027 are available on the open enrollment page and the Employee Access page under resources.
Beginning July 1, 2026, members enrolled in the PEIA PPB Gold Plan and Gold High Deductible Plan will be eligible for Telehealth visits with ReviveHealth for only a $10 copay. To reach ReviveHealth, 24/7 call (844) 433-8123.
PEIA will be launching a new member online portal, PEIA ACCESS, this summer, which will replace the current member portal. Additional information will be mailed directly to members.
DENTAL/VISION
There are no changes to dental or vision coverage or premiums
HEALTHCARE FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT (FSA)
The Flexible Spending Account (FSA) allows employees to pay for eligible out-of-pocket health care expenses with pre-tax dollars. FSA participation requires re-enrollment each year. The maximum annual contribution for 2026 is $3400. The FSA plan will continue to utilize Benny Cards. Current FSA participants who intend to re-enroll should not discard their Benny Card, as your FSA contribution will be automatically loaded to your card. If you are unable to use your full election amount for claims incurred through June 30, 2027, participants will be permitted to carry over $680 to the next plan year. Any amount in your account above $680 must be used for qualifying expenditures on or before June 30, 2027, or it will be forfeited. The Flexible Spending Account (FSA) is not available for those who choose to enroll in PPB Plan C.
DEPENDENT CARE FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT (DCFSA)
A Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (DCFSA) is a pre-tax benefit account used to pay for dependent care services while you are at work. Under this type of account, a dependent is defined as a child under 13 years of age and adult dependents who are unable to take care of themselves. Please keep in mind that dependents must live with you and be claimed as dependents on your tax return. Participation requires re-enrollment each year. The maximum annual contribution for 2026 is $5,000 if you are single or if you are married and filing a joint income tax return; if you are married and filing a separate income tax return, the maximum annual contribution is $2,500 per year/per parent.
If you are currently enrolled in the FSA or DCFSA plans and desire to continue participation, you must re-enroll by completing an enrollment form and returning it to Human Resources.
HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNT (HSA)
A Health Savings Account (HSA) is a type of savings account that lets you set aside money on a pre-tax basis to pay for qualified medical expenses. The funds in the account can be used to pay for eligible medical expenses as well as deductibles, co-insurance, prescriptions, vision expenses, and dental care. An HSA must be used in combination with a High-Deductible Health Plan (HDHP). Therefore, to be eligible to participate in the HSA, you must enroll or be enrolled in PEIA Gold High Deductible plan. In addition to being enrolled in PEIA Gold High Deductible, the employee cannot be covered by any other non-HDHP, such as that of a spouse, cannot be enrolled in Medicare, and cannot be claimed as a dependent on someone else's tax return. The maximum annual contribution limit for 2026 is $4400 for single coverage and $8750 for family coverage. HSA funds roll over year-to-year, and if you do not spend them, there is no "use it or lose it" penalty. An HSA may also earn interest or other earnings.
PREMISE HEALTH CLINIC
When visiting the clinic you must take your PEIA/UMR health insurance card to all appointments. If you are enrolled in PEIA Gold High Deductible you are required to also take your HSA debit card to all clinic appointments in addition to your PEIA insurance card. Failure to make copays in a timely manner may result in the loss of clinic privileges.
Reminder, payments made by PEIA/UMR along with the HSA payments are a crucial part of our clinic remaining available to our employees. Insurance payments and HSA payments directly support the operations of the clinic.
HEALTH RISK ASSESSMENTS (HRA)
Managing known health risk factors is one of the best methods to control current and future claim costs and out-of-pocket expenses. Employees and covered spouses are strongly encouraged to complete an HRA to help manage health risks. While it is no longer required, completing an HRA can help you take proactive steps to manage your health. If you choose to complete an HRA, you may schedule an appointment with the City’s Health and Wellness Clinic by visiting www.mypremisehealth.com or by calling 304-932-0107. There is no copay or charge to City employees for an annual routine physical at the City’s Health and Wellness Center.
IMPORTANT REMINDER
While this letter provides a summary of changes effective July 1, 2026, employees are encouraged to visit the City of Charleston Open Enrollment webpage and the Employee Access portal for additional resources and detailed information. Coverage information is also available on the PEIA website at peia.wv.gov.
Employees are responsible for notifying Human Resources of any eligibility changes within 30 days. Ineligible dependents in situations such as divorce, must be reported immediately. Failure to do so may result in retroactive termination of coverage, liability for repayment of claims paid on behalf of ineligible dependents, and responsibility for unpaid employer premiums. Failure to comply with these requirements may also result in disciplinary action. Additionally, such actions may trigger legal consequences for misrepresentation and may restrict or prohibit future dependent additions.
The Human Resources Department is committed to ensuring you have the information and support needed to understand your benefits. If you have questions regarding open enrollment or the City’s benefit offerings, please contact:
Joshua Thaxton, Benefits Coordinator – joshua.thaxton@cityofcharleston.org
April Thompson, Assistant Director of Human Resources – april.thompson@cityofcharleston.org
For questions specifically related to coverage or electronic enrollment, you may also contact PEIA Customer Service at (304) 558-7850