CHARLESTON, W.Va. — PEIA is stopping Go365.
The Public Employees Insurance Agency let state workers know on Monday afternoon that the contract with the controversial wellness program will be canceled.
PEIA said it had received advice from the IRS that incentives offered under Go365 could be considered taxable income. “This creates a whole host of reporting issues for the plan that we have not been able to overcome,” PEIA officials stated in a letter to state employees.
“We contemplated removing the financial incentives from the program and letting it continue, but we reached the conclusion that the program would not be worth the investment as a voluntary benefit with no incentives for participation.”
Go365 had been controversial because of a penalty.
The premium penalty had been $25 a month for those who don’t earn a minimum number of points. After widespread complaints, the Justice administration pushed for the program to be voluntary. The PEIA Finance Board quickly approved the change.
Now the program will be gone altogether.
“PEIA still has a legal requirement to provide a wellness program, so we will be pursuing other options, and anticipate guidance from the PEIA Task Force, as well, as we move forward,” the letter to state employees said.
Policyholders who have earned “bucks” on Go365 platform may redeem them in the Go365 Mall between now and midnight April 30. PEIA again warned that any “bucks” are considered taxable income.