CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A number of new state laws take effect this week in West Virginia including a measure that requires health insurance coverage of an item used in the treatment of cancer.
HB 4089 requires health insurance carriers in West Virginia to cover scalp cooling systems.
West Virginia’s new law is called Jessica Huffman’s Law. Huffman is a nursing leader n West Virginia, a cancer survivor, who has been an advocate for the coverage.
Huffman underwent a double mastectomy and chemotherapy in 2024. She testified before the Senate Health Committee on Feb. 26.
“You apply the cold devices to your head and it constricts the blood vessels right there so the chemotherapy doesn’t get to that part and your hair follicles don’t die,” Huffman told the committee. “It allows people to keep half or more than half of their hair depending on which chemotherapies they are on.”
Huffman said she often found herself getting “pity eyes” when she went out in public.
“I looked sick, even though I was feeling better, I looked sick for quite some time,” she said.
Bill sponsor, Del. Walt Hall, R-Kanawha, said Huffman was an inspiration behind the legislation but also thought of his sister whom he witnessed losing her hair during cancer treatment.
“She would sit at her table and brush her hair out and I would see tears going down her eyes and her hair dropping down into the floor. It just had a lasting effect on me to be honest,” Hall told MetroNews Monday.
Hall said the cooling systems cost about $1,800. He said it’s a cheaper option than wigs, now covered by health insurance, which cost about $3,000.
“It gives them (breast cancer patients) hope. It’s a preventive mechanism and it’s been science-proven to reduce and prevent hair loss,” Hall said.
The cooling systems have been FDA-approved for some time. They are mainly used for breast cancer treatment, they are not effective in the treatment of blood-based cancers.
Hall said he really received no pushback from the insurance industry or hospitals across the state when it came to the legislation. He said he’s been working with West Virginia Breast Health Initiative to get the word out about he new coverage that will begin with 2027 policies.
“Beginning January 1, 2027 all policies will have this coverage and it’s up to us to make folks aware,” Hall said.
West Virginia becomes only the third state, following New York and Louisiana, to provide the coverage.
The bill became law without Gov. Patrick Morrisey’s signature although Hall said Morrisey’s supports the initiative.
Hall said normal deductibles and co-pays would be observed as part of the coverage.