This bill amends the Code of West Virginia to require health insurance coverage for scalp cooling systems used during cancer chemotherapy treatment. It introduces seven new sections across various chapters, specifically mandating that any insurance policy, plan, or contract issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, that provides coverage for cancer chemotherapy must also include coverage for scalp cooling systems. The bill defines a "scalp cooling system" as a device designed to cool the human scalp to prevent or reduce hair loss during chemotherapy, emphasizing that it must be intended for repeated medical use.

The coverage mandated by this bill may be subject to annual deductibles and coinsurance, including copayments, as determined appropriate by the commissioner and consistent with other benefits within the policy. This legislative change aims to enhance the quality of life for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy by mitigating one of the distressing side effects of treatment—hair loss.

Statutes affected:
Originating in Committee: 5-16-8b, 9-5-34, 33-15-24, 33-16-20, 33-24-15, 33-25-23, 33-25A-37
Engrossed Version: 5-16-8b, 9-5-34, 33-15-24, 33-16-20, 33-24-15, 33-25-23, 33-25A-37