West Virginia's public employees may be looking at paying more for health care as increased claims are driving up the cost of their insurance.

During the past two years, Public Employees Insurance Agency finance board member Perry Bryant says claims paid by the program have increased more than $35 million. Premiums charged to employees have remained the same.

Bryant says the increase in costs is all but certain to translate into a recommendation that premiums be increased for the fiscal year that begins next July 1.

By law, the agency's finance board must develop a fiscal plan by October. The proposal will be the topic of public meetings before a final recommendation is approved.