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SB435 • 2026
Requiring health policies cover oral health medical procedures due to side effect from cancer
Requiring health policies cover oral health medical procedures due to side effect from cancer
Healthcare
Passed Legislature
This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.
Bill History
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2026-01-16
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To Health and Human Resources
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2026-01-16
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Introduced in Senate
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2026-01-16
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To Health and Human Resources then Finance
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2026-01-16
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Filed for introduction
Official Summary Text
Requiring health policies cover oral health medical procedures due to side effect from cancer
Current Bill Text
Read the full stored bill text
SB 435 Text skip navigation SENATE PRESIDENT SENATORS COMMITTEES VIDEO/AUDIO DISTRICT MAPS SENATE CLERK SENATE RULES HOUSE SPEAKER DELEGATES COMMITTEES VIDEO/AUDIO DISTRICT MAPS HOUSE CLERK HOUSE RULES HOUSE STAFF JOINT INTERIM COMMITTEES LEGISLATIVE ADMINISTRATOR LEGISLATIVE SERVICES DIVISION PUBLIC INFORMATION LEGISLATIVE AUTOMATED SYSTEMS DIVISION LEGISLATIVE AUDITOR'S OFFICE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION & RESEARCH DIVISION POST AUDIT DIVISION BUDGET DIVISION REGULATORY AND FISCAL AFFAIRS DIVISION CLAIMS COMMISSION CRIME VICTIMS RULE-MAKING REVIEW SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS JUDICIAL COMP. COMMISSION JOINT RULES STAFF INFO BILL STATUS BILL STATUS BILL TRACKING STATE LAW WEST VIRGINIA CODE ACTS OF THE LEGISLATURE CODE OF 1931 WV CONSTITUTION US CONSTITUTION REPORTS AGENCY REPORTS AGENCY GRANT AWARDS PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS POST AUDITS EDUCATIONAL CITIZEN’S GUIDE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM PAGE PROGRAM PUBLICATIONS PHOTO GALLERY CAPITOL HISTORY HOW A BILL BECOMES LAW CONTACT SENATE ROSTER HOUSE ROSTER PUBLIC INFO. NEWS RELEASES HELPFUL LINKS Introduced Version Senate Bill 435 History | Email Key: Green = existing Code. Red = new code to be enacted WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE 2026 REGULAR SESSION FISCAL NOTE Introduced Senate Bill 435 By Senator Deeds [Introduced January 16, 2026; referred to the Committee on Health and Human Resources; and then to the Committee on Finance] A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding seven new sections, designated §5-16-8b, §9-5-34, §33-15-24, §33-16-20, §33-24-15, §33-25-23, and §33-25A-37, relating to requiring health benefit plan coverage; requiring coverage for oral health medical procedures that are necessary as a side effect of cancer treatments; explaining scope of procedures covered as a result of certain cancer treatments; and requiring annual reporting to Legislature. Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia: CHAPTER 5. GENERAL POWERS AND AUTHORITY OF THE GOVERNOR, SECRETARY OF STATE AND ATTORNEY GENERAL; BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS; MISCELLANEOUS AGENCIES, COMMISSIONS, OFFICES, PROGRAMS, ETC . ARTICLE 16. WEST VIRGINIA PUBLIC EMPLOYEES INSURANCE ACT . §5-16-8b. Medical oral health coverage required . (a) A policy, plan or contract that is issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2027, and is subject to this article shall provide coverage for oral health medical procedures that are necessary as a side effect of cancer treatment s including surgery, chemotherapy, biotherapy, pharmacology, immunotherapy, or radiation. (b) The coverage required under this section shall include evaluations, examinations, patient education, laboratory assessments, medications, treatments, restoration, rehabilitation, medical devices, and prosthesis needed to obtain cancer treatment or restore whole or partial function associated with eating, breathing, voice, speech, and swallowing related to a cancer diagnosis. (c) One year following implementation, the Public Employees Insurance Agency shall report to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance the cost of this change. CHAPTER 9. HUMAN SERVICES . ARTICLE 5. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS . §9-5-34. Medical oral health coverage required . (a) A policy, plan or contract that is issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2027, and is subject to this article shall provide coverage for oral health medical procedures that are necessary as a side effect of cancer treatments including surgery, chemotherapy, biotherapy, pharmacology, immunotherapy, or radiation. (b) The coverage required under this section shall include evaluations, examinations, patient education, laboratory assessments, medications, treatments, restoration, rehabilitation, medical devices, and prosthesis needed to obtain cancer treatment or restore whole or partial function associated with eating, breathing, voice, speech, and swallowing related to a cancer diagnosis. (c) One year following implementation, the Bureau of Medical Services shall report to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance the cost of this change. CHAPTER 33. INSURANCE . ARTICLE 15. ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANC E. §33-15-24. Medical oral health coverage required . (a) A policy, plan or contract that is issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2027, and is subject to this article shall provide coverage for oral health medical procedures that are necessary as a side effect of cancer treatments including surgery, chemotherapy, biotherapy, pharmacology, immunotherapy, or radiation. (b) The coverage required under this section shall include evaluations, examinations, patient education, laboratory assessments, medications, treatments, restoration, rehabilitation, medical devices, and prosthesis needed to obtain cancer treatment or restore whole or partial function associated with eating, breathing, voice, speech, and swallowing related to a cancer diagnosis. ARTICLE 16. GROUP ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE . §33-16-20. Medical oral health coverage required . (a) A policy, plan or contract that is issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2027, and is subject to this article shall provide coverage for oral health medical procedures that are necessary as a side effect of cancer treatments including surgery, chemotherapy, biotherapy, pharmacology, immunotherapy, or radiation. (b) The coverage required under this section shall include evaluations, examinations, patient education, laboratory assessments, medications, treatments, restoration, rehabilitation, medical devices, and prosthesis needed to obtain cancer treatment or restore whole or partial function associated with eating, breathing, voice, speech, and swallowing related to a cancer diagnosis. ARTICLE 24. HOSPITAL SERVICE CORPORATIONS, MEDICAL SERVICE CORPORATIONS, DENTAL SERVICE CORPORATIONS AND HEALTH SERVICE CORPORATIONS . §33-24-15. Medical oral health coverage required . (a) A policy, plan or contract that is issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2027, and is subject to this article shall provide coverage for oral health medical procedures that are necessary as a side effect of cancer treatments including surgery, chemotherapy, biotherapy, pharmacology, immunotherapy, or radiation. (b) The coverage required under this section shall include evaluations, examinations, patient education, laboratory assessments, medications, treatments, restoration, rehabilitation, medical devices, and prosthesis needed to obtain cancer treatment or restore whole or partial function associated with eating, breathing, voice, speech, and swallowing related to a cancer diagnosis. ARTICLE 25. HEALTH CARE CORPORATIONS . §33-25-23. Medical oral health coverage required . (a) A policy, plan or contract that is issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2027, and is subject to this article shall provide coverage for oral health medical procedures that are necessary as a side effect of cancer treatments including surgery, chemotherapy, biotherapy, pharmacology, immunotherapy, or radiation. (b) The coverage required under this section shall include evaluations, examinations, patient education, laboratory assessments, medications, treatments, restoration, rehabilitation, medical devices, and prosthesis needed to obtain cancer treatment or restore whole or partial function associated with eating, breathing, voice, speech, and swallowing related to a cancer diagnosis. ARTICLE 25A. HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATION ACT . §33-25A-37. Medical oral health coverage required . (a) A policy, plan or contract that is issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2027, and is subject to this article shall provide coverage for oral health medical procedures that are necessary as a side effect of cancer treatments including surgery, chemotherapy, biotherapy, pharmacology, immunotherapy, or radiation. (b) The coverage required under this section shall include evaluations, examinations, patient education, laboratory assessments, medications, treatments, restoration, rehabilitation, medical devices, and prosthesis needed to obtain cancer treatment or restore whole or partial function associated with eating, breathing, voice, speech, and swallowing related to a cancer diagnosis. NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to require health benefit plan coverage for oral health medical procedures that are necessary as a side effect of cancer treatments. Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading or the present law and underscoring indicates new language that would be added. Bill Status | Bill Tracking | Legacy WV Code | Bulletin Board | District Maps | Senate Roster | House Roster | Live | Blog | Jobs | Links | Home This Web site is maintained by the West Virginia Legislature's Office of Reference & Information. | Terms of Use | Webmaster | © 2026 West Virginia Legislature ** Print On Demand Name: Email: Phone: