State employees in NC may see increased health insurance costs in 2018

State employees who now pay no health insurance premiums could start paying $25 a month under changes being considered for the state health plan.

Other employees enrolled in what’s called the 80/20 plan could see their monthly costs going from a low of $15.04 to $50.

State Treasurer Dale Folwell said the increases are needed to keep the state health plan solvent.

The State Health Plan Board of Trustees is set to vote on the proposed changes for 2018 on Wednesday. The health insurance plan covers more than 650,000 state employees, family members, and retirees.

Folwell said Tuesday that a new study found that the plan’s liability has increased to $42 billion.

Folwell, a Republican who was elected to a first term in November, is looking for ways to lower costs for the health plan and says it’s possible that there will be no need for more increases for four years. He also wants to lower premiums for families.

Family coverage is unaffordable for beginning teachers or state troopers, who need to work five days a month just to afford the premiums, Folwell said.

Enrolling more families “is the lifeblood of having a solvent state health plan,” he said.

This story was originally published March 21, 2017 at 6:13 PM with the headline "State employees in NC may see increased health insurance costs in 2018."