West VirginiaHealth plans cover scalp cooling for cancer chemotherapy
Starting with policies and plans issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2027, insurers must cover qualifying scalp cooling when they cover cancer chemotherapy.
What it does
Health plans that cover cancer chemotherapy must also cover qualifying scalp cooling systems, which are used to help prevent or reduce hair loss during treatment. Plans may still charge cost sharing consistent with other benefits.
Argument forPeople getting chemotherapy could get coverage for scalp cooling, which may help prevent or reduce treatment-related hair loss.
Argument againstPatients may still have to pay deductibles or copayments for scalp cooling, which could make it harder for some to afford.
More detail
Health insurers must cover qualifying scalp cooling systems when they cover cancer chemotherapy. This applies to insurance policies and plans covered by the listed West Virginia insurance laws that cover cancer chemotherapy. The system must be designed for repeated use and primarily serve a medical purpose. Plans may charge annual deductibles, coinsurance, or copayments as allowed by the commissioner, consistent with other benefits in the policy. The coverage applies to scalp cooling systems used with chemotherapy as defined by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The requirement applies to policies and plans issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2027.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jun 29Chapter 179, Acts, Regular Session, 2026Latest
- Apr 2Became law 4/2/2026
- Mar 14Became law without Governor's signature- House Journal
- Mar 14Became law without Governor's signature - Senate JournalBecame Law
- Mar 11To Governor 3/11/2026 - Senate JournalTo Governor
- Mar 11To Governor 3/11/2026Minor
- Mar 10House received Senate message
- Vote recorded Passage. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 10Completed legislative action
- Mar 10Communicated to House
- Mar 10Passed Senate (Roll No. 393)Passed Senate
- Mar 10Read 3rd timeMinor
- Mar 10On 3rd reading
- Mar 9Read 2nd timeMinor
- Mar 6Laid over on 2nd reading 3/6/2026
- Mar 6On 2nd reading
- Mar 5Read 1st timeMinor
- Mar 5On 1st reading
- Mar 4Reported do passMinor
- Feb 26To FinanceMinor
- Feb 26Reported do pass, but first to FinanceMinor
- Feb 12To Health and Human ResourcesMinor
- Feb 12To Health and Human Resources then FinanceMinor
- Feb 12Introduced in SenateMinor
- Feb 11Communicated to Senate
- Vote recorded PASSAGE. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 11Passed House (Roll No. 73)Passed House
- Feb 11Read 3rd timeMinor
- Feb 11On 3rd reading, Special Calendar
- Feb 10Read 2nd timeMinor
- Feb 10On 2nd reading, Special Calendar
- Feb 9Read 1st timeMinor
- Feb 9On 1st reading, Special Calendar
- Feb 6Do pass
- Feb 4To House FinanceMinor
- Jan 29To House Banking and InsuranceMinor
- Jan 14To House FinanceMinor
- Jan 14Introduced in HouseMinor
- Jan 14To FinanceMinor
- Jan 14Filed for introductionIntroduced
Healthcare