{"id":7312,"date":"2026-04-01T17:57:58","date_gmt":"2026-04-01T17:57:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.healthoptibody.com\/?p=7312"},"modified":"2026-04-01T17:57:58","modified_gmt":"2026-04-01T17:57:58","slug":"after-mans-death-following-insurance-denials-west-virginia-tackles-prior-authorization","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.healthoptibody.com\/?p=7312","title":{"rendered":"After Man\u2019s Death Following Insurance Denials, West Virginia Tackles Prior Authorization"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Eric Tennant with his wife, Becky, and daughter, Amiya.(Becky Tennant)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Six months after a West Virginia man died following a protracted battle with his health insurer over doctor-recommended cancer care, the state\u2019s Republican governor signed a bill intended to curb the harm of insurance denials.<\/p>\n

West Virginia\u2019s Public Employees Insurance Agency enrolls nearly 215,000 people \u2014 state workers, as well as their spouses and dependents. The new law, which will take effect June 10, will allow plan members who have been approved for a course of treatment to pursue an alternative, medically appropriate treatment of equal or lesser value without the need for another approval from the state-based health plan.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis legislation is rooted in a simple principle: if a treatment has already been approved, patients should be able to pursue a medically appropriate alternative without being forced to start the process over again \u2014 especially when it does not cost more,\u201d Gov. Patrick Morrisey said in a statement after signing the bill into law on March 31.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is about common sense, compassion, and trusting patients and their doctors to make the best decisions for their care,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

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