FISCAL NOTE
Date Requested: February 02, 2026
Time Requested: 09:43 AM |
| Agency: |
Insurance Commission |
|---|
| CBD Number: |
Version: |
Bill Number: |
Resolution Number: |
| 2841 |
Introduced |
HB4760 |
|
|---|
| CBD Subject: |
Insurance |
|---|
|
FUND(S):
7152
Sources of Revenue:
Special Fund
Legislation creates:
Increases Existing Expenses
Fiscal Note Summary
Effect this measure will have on costs and revenues of state government.
House Bill 4760, if enacted, would require health insurance policies provide coverage for nutritional wellness and prevention that is shown to be beneficial to the enrollee and recommended by the enrollee's physician.
Please see the memorandum summary for additional information.
Fiscal Note Detail
| Effect of Proposal |
Fiscal Year |
2026
Increase/Decrease
(use"-") |
2027
Increase/Decrease
(use"-") |
Fiscal Year
(Upon Full
Implementation) |
| 1. Estmated Total Cost |
0 |
416,000 |
48,000 |
| Personal Services |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Current Expenses |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Repairs and Alterations |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Assets |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Other |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 2. Estimated Total Revenues |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Explanation of above estimates (including long-range effect):
The estimate above includes the hourly rate of $250 per hour for a pharmacist and $150 an hour for a nutritionist for approximately 20 hours weekly for each profession during the first given year ($416,000) and 10 hours each monthly ($48,000) in subsequent years.
Memorandum
House Bill 4760, if enacted, would require health insurance policies provide coverage for nutritional wellness and prevention that is shown to be beneficial to the enrollee and recommended by the enrollee's physician.
HB4760 could have an impact on premium rates in the private market. While an increase in health coverage premium rates may be expected due to increase usage, the WV Offices of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) does not have the data to calculate the extent of any possible increases.
The OIC believes HB4760 would increase expenses of the OIC to hire an expert in the subject matter to determine the list of approved products, including both a pharmacist and a nutritionist. The OIC would expect to pay approximately $250 dollars an hour for a pharmacist and $150 an hour for a nutritionist. The contract would need to be ongoing, as the OIC would need to account for new research and products to market.
It should be noted that HB4760 does not contain language limiting the insurance benefits provided under the proposed bill to the essential health benefits (EHB) specified under section 130(b) of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). PPACA 1311 (d)(3) provides that a state must defray the cost by direct payment to enrollees or to the Plan of any state mandated benefit in excess of the EHB. To the extent that the health insurance benefits required by HB4760 do not fall within the EHB, a potential cost to the State exists.
Person submitting Fiscal Note: Rhonda C Hartwell
Email Address: rhonda.c.hartwell@wv.gov