Health insurance premiums set to rise for state employees

RALEIGH, North Carolina (WTVD) -- Open enrollment has started for state employees, including teachers, and some people are seeing pumped-up prices for their healthcare plan for the first time.

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North Carolina Association of Educators President Mark Jewell says the jump is drastic and told ABC11 that teachers have been calling his office to complain.

"Once you add that up, to folks who haven't had a pay raise in a number of years or very little increases, they're making less than they did last year," Jewell said.

The state treasurer approved the changes in March.

Co-pays, deductions, and the family plans are staying mostly the same. Individuals are going to see the biggest hikes.

There are now two plans instead of three.

In the 70/30, employees who don't smoke will go from not paying a premium to $25 per month.

In the 80/20 plan, employees who don't smoke will shell out $50 instead of $15 per month.

Jewell said he worried the adjustments will hurt efforts to recruit high-quality teachers to our state.

"We always had strong benefits as part of deferred compensation," he said. "You know when you come into the state you'll have low-cost health-care insurance and a strong pension. Now we see both are under attack and it's very disappointing the state treasurer would put the burden of funding of the state health plan on the school employees."

State employees will start paying the new rates Jan. 1.