SB 151 exempts the first $25,000 of cash value in a life insurance policy from Medicaid eligibility calculations in West Virginia. This directly affects individuals applying for Medicaid who hold life insurance policies with accumulated cash value. The bill changes how Medicaid assesses assets by excluding this specific amount, rather than counting it toward the applicant's total resources. This policy adjustment aims to prevent applicants from losing Medicaid eligibility due to modest life insurance savings.
HB 4335 requires West Virginia's Medicaid program to process provider enrollment applications within 5 business days of receipt and mandates managed care organizations to complete provider credentialing within 60 days. The bill establishes a unified electronic platform for all Medicaid provider applications, renewals, and documentation, eliminating paper submissions starting July 1, 2026. It also sets penalties for managed care organizations that miss deadlines, including monetary sanctions or "credentialing-by-default" by the Department of Human Services. This bill directly affects Medicaid providers (like doctors and clinics), managed care organizations, and the Department of Human Services.
HB 4539 requires health insurers in West Virginia to send written notices to policyholders at least 30 days before open enrollment about upcoming premium rate changes. The notice must clearly show the exact dollar amount and percentage increase, the new effective date, and any changes to benefits or plan details - all in bold 16-point font - along with information about public health programs like Medicaid. Insurers cannot implement rate changes until after open enrollment closes. This bill directly affects all consumers with health insurance policies in the state who face premium adjustments.
HB 4336 sets new operational standards for medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs in West Virginia. It requires all MAT programs to have a licensed medical director who meets specific training and practice requirements, and mandates qualified counseling staff with defined certifications (e.g., licensed psychiatrists, certified addiction counselors). Programs must follow new billing rules, including obtaining written insurance denial before charging patients directly for treatment, and must document patient insurance status. These requirements apply to all MAT programs seeking state licensing or Medicaid enrollment.
HB 4703 requires West Virginia Medicaid to cover lymphedema compression treatment items (like custom garments and pumps) for enrollees diagnosed with lymphedema, and both custom-fitted and off-the-shelf orthopedic braces for those with diagnosed orthopedic conditions. This directly affects Medicaid beneficiaries with these specific medical needs by expanding their covered durable medical equipment. The bill mandates coverage for these items without additional cost-sharing for eligible enrollees. Implementation would require the Bureau for Medical Services to seek federal approval via a state plan amendment or waiver.
SB 56 requires West Virginia's Medicaid program (administered by the Department of Human Services) to reimburse providers for remote ultrasound procedures and remote fetal nonstress tests when patients receive care from home or another off-site location. The bill mandates reimbursement using established CPT codes, provided the same standard of care is met, and requires providers to use FDA-approved digital technology compliant with HIPAA for secure data transmission. It specifically allows reimbursement for CPT Code 59025 (fetal nonstress tests) when using FDA-cleared at-home monitoring devices for fetal heart rate, maternal heart rate, and uterine activity. The bill also eliminates a 30-day waiting period between patient consent and the procedure, directing the Department to issue implementation guidance.
SB 650 amends West Virginia law to define a psychiatric hospital treating exclusively civil and forensic patients (with over 95% of its inpatient census being court-ordered forensic or civil involuntary commitments from state custody) as a "state-designated facility" for tax purposes. This change excludes such hospitals from the category of "eligible acute care hospitals" subject to a 0.75% tax on gross receipts, exempting them from this tax. The bill directly affects psychiatric hospitals in West Virginia meeting this specific patient mix requirement by altering their tax classification under the Medicaid funding structure.
HB 4984 modifies West Virginia's prior authorization rules for FDA-approved antipsychotic medications. It requires the Bureau for Medical Services to use an electronic portal for all prior authorization requests, including clear instructions, real-time status updates, and a quarterly updated science-based list of required authorizations. The bill mandates responses within five business days (or two days for urgent cases) and requires clear disclosure about step therapy protocols on forms. This directly affects healthcare providers submitting requests and patients needing these medications, aiming to streamline the approval process for antipsychotics.
HB 4089, known as "Jessica Huffman's Law," requires health insurers in West Virginia to cover scalp cooling systems for patients undergoing cancer chemotherapy starting January 1, 2027. The bill mandates that any insurance policy covering chemotherapy must include coverage for these devices - described as tools to prevent hair loss during treatment - as defined by Medicare and Medicaid. This applies to policies issued or renewed after 2026, with coverage subject to standard deductibles and coinsurance like other medical benefits. The law directly affects cancer patients seeking hair preservation and insurers offering chemotherapy coverage.
This bill requires West Virginia Medicaid to cover doula services for eligible pregnant individuals. It mandates that the state file a plan amendment defining a doula as a trained professional providing physical, emotional, and informational support from confirmed conception through 180 days postpartum. Coverage includes two prenatal and two postpartum visits, with each visit reimbursed at $125 (adjusted annually for inflation), to be implemented by October 1, 2027. This directly affects Medicaid-eligible pregnant women and new mothers in West Virginia, expanding their covered maternity care options. The policy change is limited to existing Medicaid beneficiaries meeting income eligibility requirements.
