Health

Cigna Medical Premiums Rise 7%, Adding $9.5 Million to GVI Costs Despite Lower Claims

The Government of the Virgin Islands will pay approximately $9.5 million more for Cigna medical coverage in fiscal year 2027 after the insurer imposed a 7 percent premium increase covering active employees and non-Medicare retirees. When all of the government’s insurance renewals under consideration are combined — including medical, dental, Medicare Advantage, life, vision and voluntary coverage — the package will cost 5.8 percent more than the current year. The increase comes even as medical claims costs declined over the previous year, prompting senators on Thursday to question why the government continues to face annual premium increases. It also arrives at a particularly difficult moment for the territory's finances. The Consortium reported this week that lawmakers have described the government's fiscal condition as “precarious,” with individual income-tax collections down $31.7 million and fiscal year 2026 projected to close with a nearly $59 million deficit. As of August 7, gove...