Healthcare

signed · West Virginia · Senate Jun 25, 2026

SB 645: Prohibiting surprise billing of ground emergency medical services by nonparticipating providers

West Virginia Senate Bill 645 prohibits non-network ambulance services from charging patients extra fees beyond standard insurance cost-sharing. It requires insurers to pay non-participating ambulance providers directly at 400% of the Medicare rate (or the provider’s billed amount, whichever is lower) within 30 days of a clean claim. Patients cannot be billed for amounts beyond their standard copayments, coinsurance, or deductibles, and insurers must provide written denial notices with specific reasons. This applies to ground ambulance services covered under health insurance policies issued on or after January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrevents surprise billing for emergency ambulance services, protecting patients from extra charges and requiring insurers to pay at 400% Medicare rate.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicare

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 26, 2026

HB 4822: To redirect data center tax revenue to PEIA, counties, and schools

HB 4822 redirects tax revenue from "High Impact Data Centers" (as defined under West Virginia law) to three specific recipients: the Public Employees Insurance Association (PEIA) fund, local counties, and public school boards. The bill amends tax distribution rules to require that incremental property tax revenue from these data centers - calculated using a new formula based on assessed value and levy rates - be reallocated instead of following previous distribution methods. This change directly affects data centers certified as "High Impact" under §11-6N-2, ensuring their tax contributions support state health insurance programs, county services, and school funding. The policy shift replaces prior tax allocation rules with a fixed distribution structure for these facilities.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects existing data center tax revenue to fund PEIA, counties, and schools, increasing public service funding per bill's explicit tax reallocation mandate.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationRedirects data center tax revenue to public school boards, increasing education funding per bill's explicit allocation to schools.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRedirects data center tax revenue to PEIA fund, directly increasing healthcare funding for public employees' insurance coverage.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Revenue School Funding Insurance

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 30, 2026

HB 4316: Relating to authorizing the Board of Physical Therapy to promulgate a legislative rule relating to general provisions for athletic trainers.

HB 4316 authorizes West Virginia's Board of Physical Therapy to establish a specific rule (16 CSR 05) governing general practice standards for athletic trainers. This rule will directly affect athletic trainers by setting requirements for their licensure, scope of practice, and professional conduct within the state. The bill formally approves a previously modified rule that was reviewed and refiled after addressing concerns raised by the Legislative Rule-Making Review Committee.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAuthorizes standards for athletic trainers' licensure and scope of practice, strengthening regulatory oversight in healthcare services and protecting patient safety through professional conduct rules.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 15, 2026

SB 295: Insurance Commissioner rule relating to mental health parity

This bill authorizes West Virginia's Insurance Commissioner to implement a specific rule (114 CSR 64) regarding mental health parity. It formally incorporates an existing rule, filed April 16, 2025, into state law under §64-7-1 of the Code. The rule requires health insurance plans to cover mental health services at the same level as physical health care, directly affecting insurance companies and policyholders in West Virginia. The bill itself does not change the coverage requirements but legally authorizes the Commissioner to enforce the existing parity rule.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires equal mental health insurance coverage parity, strengthening patient access to mental health services under state law per existing rule 114 CSR 64.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Mental Health

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 16, 2026

SB 471: Authorizing physician assistants to own business

This bill (SB 471) allows physician assistants (PAs) in West Virginia to own healthcare-related businesses, such as clinics or practices. It specifically prohibits PAs from having a financial interest in referral arrangements (e.g., owning a clinic they refer patients to) and permits medical corporations to have PA shareholders. The bill also designates physician assistants as a "professional service" under the state’s Uniform Limited Liability Company Act, enabling PAs to form or join LLCs for their practice. These changes directly affect PAs seeking to establish or invest in healthcare businesses.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables PAs to own clinics, expanding healthcare access and designating PAs as professional service under LLC law. Prohibits referral conflicts to protect patients.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Primary Care

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 20, 2026

SB 526: Relating to PEIA Cost Sharing Provisions

SB 526 modifies how public employee health insurance premiums are calculated under West Virginia's Public Employees Insurance Agency (PEIA). It requires the finance board to develop annual financial plans with actuarial review, ensuring plans cover all costs including claims. The bill establishes specific reimbursement rates (110% of Medicare for providers), sets employer/employee cost-sharing percentages, and allows different cost levels based on ability to pay for current employees and retirees. It also permits subsidizing retired employees' coverage through employer premiums. This directly affects all West Virginia public employees, retirees, state employers, and healthcare providers participating in PEIA.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnsures PEIA covers all costs via actuarial review, sets reimbursement rates, and adjusts cost-sharing to stabilize public employee health insurance program, supporting coverage sustainability.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicare

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 22, 2026

HB 4300: Relating to authorizing the Board of Optometry to promulgate a legislative rule relating to oral pharmaceutical certificates.

This bill authorizes West Virginia's Board of Optometry to create and implement a specific rule about oral pharmaceutical certificates. It formally approves a rule the Board had previously proposed (documented as 14 CSR 02), which addresses optometrists' authority to prescribe certain medications orally. The rule was modified after feedback from the Legislative Rule-Making Review Committee and refiled in 2025. This change directly affects optometrists and the Board of Optometry by establishing clear regulatory procedures for prescribing practices. The bill does not create new policy but confirms the Board's authority to enforce an existing rule.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAuthorizes optometrists to prescribe oral medications, expanding provider scope and improving patient access to care within healthcare services.85% confidence

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 15, 2026

SB 346: Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Technology Board of Examiners rule relating to continuing education

This bill authorizes West Virginia's Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Technology Board of Examiners to implement continuing education requirements for licensed professionals in these fields, referencing an existing rule (18 CSR 02) filed in the State Register on June 3, 2025. It does not create new policy but formally permits the board to enforce its established continuing education standards. The bill directly affects medical imaging and radiation therapy technicians who must meet these education requirements to maintain licensure. This is a procedural measure to confirm the board's authority over its existing rule.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires continuing education for medical imaging/radiation therapy techs to maintain professional standards, strengthening healthcare quality and patient safety through regulated competency.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 15, 2026

SB 362: Board of Pharmacy rule relating to immunizations administered by pharmacists, pharmacy interns, and pharmacy technicians

SB 362 authorizes the West Virginia Board of Pharmacy to implement a rule (15 CSR 12) that sets standards for pharmacists, pharmacy interns, and pharmacy technicians administering immunizations. The rule, developed through the state's rule-making process and revised in 2025, outlines specific requirements for vaccine administration, including training and documentation. This bill does not expand or restrict immunization practices but formalizes the existing rule for enforcement. It directly affects pharmacists and pharmacy staff in West Virginia who provide vaccination services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill formalizes standards for pharmacist-administered immunizations, ensuring consistent training and documentation to strengthen public health service delivery without expanding or restricting access.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs Public Health

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 16, 2026

SB 463: Requiring Bureau for Public Health to test for mucopolysaccharidosis type 1

This bill requires West Virginia hospitals to add newborn screening for mucopolysaccharidosis type 1 (MPS1), a rare metabolic disorder that can be managed with early treatment but is not curable. It amends existing law to include MPS1 in the state's mandatory newborn screening program, which already tests for over 30 other conditions like sickle cell anemia and cystic fibrosis. The legislation ensures all infants born in West Virginia are tested for MPS1 shortly after birth, allowing for prompt medical intervention. This change directly affects newborns in West Virginia and aligns the state's screening protocol with current medical guidelines for MPS1.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAdds MPS1 to mandatory newborn screening, enabling early detection/treatment of rare disorder, strengthening public health program per state's existing screening framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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