State Overview: West Virginia

State law or statute prohibits or limits the use of prior authorization for buprenorphine containing products by either the state Medicaid plan or private insurance companies.

Plans may not require prior authorization for outpatient prescription drugs to treat SUD. W. Va. Code §33-15-4r(k)

West Virginia credentials two types of addiction counselors. An Alcohol and Drug Counselor requires a high school diploma, completion of 270 hours of relevant education courses and three years of experience. An Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor requires a master's degree, completion of 180 hours of relevant education courses and three years of experience. W. Va. Code §16-5Y and West Virginia Certification Board for Addiction & Prevention Professionals

Licensed professional counselors may assess, diagnose and develop a treatment plan for patients. The goal of these procedures is the prevention or elimination of symptomatic, maladaptive or undesired behavior, cognitions or emotions to integrate a wellness, preventative, pathology and multicultural model of human behavior. W.Va. Code §30-31-3(c)

The standards and requirements for certification of a peer recovery specialists are developed and administered by a third-party, non-profit certification provider.

Full practice authority but transition to independent prescribing period required.

An NM is required to have a three-year transition to practice period before they are authorized to independently prescribe legend and Schedule III-V controlled substances. They may only prescribe Schedule II narcotics in a three-day supply. W. Va. Code §30-7-1 and W. Va. Code §30-7-15b

Full practice authority but transition to independent prescribing period required.

An NP is required to have a three-year transition to practice period before they are authorized to independently prescribe legend and Schedule III-V controlled substances. They may only prescribe Schedule II narcotics in a three-day supply. W. Va. Code §30-7-1 and W. Va. Code §30-7-15b

NPs are authorized to sign physician orders for scope of treatment forms. W. Va. Code §16-30-25

NPs are recognized in state policy as primary care providers. Primary care provider means a person who may be chosen or designated in lieu of a primary care physician, who will be responsible for coordinating the health care of the subscriber, including necessary referrals to other providers, and includes an advanced nurse practitioner. W. Va. Code §33-25A-2(19)

Physician relationship required for practice authority; transition period required for prescribing.

CRNAs may administer anesthesia in the presence and under the supervision of a physician or dentist. W. Va. Code §30-7-15

CRNAs may not prescribe Schedule I controlled substances. They may only prescribe Schedule II narcotics in a three-day supply. However, if CRNAs are part of a clinical trial aimed at expanding treatment for opioid addiction in rural areas, they can prescribe for the duration of the trial. W. Va. Code §30-7-15a

CRNAs shall be eligible to apply for authorization to prescribe drugs under a collaborative agreement after satisfying certain requirements. They must have a three-year transition-to-practice period before they are authorized to independently prescribe legend and Schedules III-V controlled substances. W. Va. Code §30-7-1 and W. Va. Code §30-7-15b(e)

Optometrists may examine, diagnose and treat any visual defect or abnormal condition of the eye, including removal of foreign bodies. Additional allowable procedures are outlined in statute. W. Va. Code §30-8-9

Optometrists may administer epinephrine by injection to treat emergency cases of anaphylaxis or anaphylactic shock. Additional pharmaceutical agents by injection may be included in the rules for legislative approval. W. Va. Code §30-8-9 and W. Va. Code §30-8-15

Optometrists may prescribe Schedule III-V controlled substances and Schedule II controlled substances containing hydrocodone combinations. W. Va. Code §30-8-9

A public health dental hygienist may provide services under the general supervision of a dentist and without the patient's prior examination by a dentist in certain public settings (e.g., hospitals, schools, jails, community clinics, long-term care facilities, group homes, public health facilities, and homebound settings). The public health dental hygienist must have 2 years and 3,000 hours of practice experience and with the supervising dentist submit an annual report to the state board of dental examiners. A dental hygienist may apply fluoride, prepare an oral screening, and provide dental health education and nutritional counseling with no supervision of a licensed dentist. W. Va. Code §30-4-11

Dental therapists are not recognized in state policy as an oral health provider.

West Virginia does allow for the practice of teledentistry. Statute not yet updated.

West Virginia has not enacted legislation allowing pharmacists to administer the COVID-19 vaccine. However, the federal PREP Act allowed pharmacists to administer the COVID-19 vaccine through the duration of the public health emergency.

West Virginia does not allow pharmacists to modify prescriptions.

A pharmacist may dispense a self-administered hormonal contraceptive pursuant to a standing prescription drug order, in accordance with dispensing guidelines and to a patient who is 18 years old or older. The pharmacist must complete a board-approved training program on self-administered hormonal contraceptives. The pharmacist must notify the patient's primary care provider (if provided) and provide patient counseling at the time of dispensing. W. Va. Code §16-58

The Commissioner of the Bureau for Public Health or designee can prescribe on a statewide basis permitting pharmacists to initiate and dispense a noncontrolled prescription, over-the-counter, or other professional tobacco cessation therapy to a patient who is 18 years old or older. The Board of Pharmacy shall approve a training program or programs to be eligible to participate in the utilization of the standing prescription drug order for tobacco cessation therapy by a pharmacist. A pharmacist who dispenses a tobacco cessation therapy must follow the Tobacco Cessation Therapy Protocol, approved by the Commissioner of the Bureau for Public Health and the Boards of Pharmacy and Medicine, before dispensing the tobacco cessation therapy. The protocol includes, but is not limited to, criteria for identifying individuals eligible to receive tobacco cessation therapy, procedures for initiation and monitoring of therapies and follow-up care. W. Va. Code §16-56

Collaboration allowed with a physician for practice and prescriptive authority.

A PA may not practice independently of a collaborating physician. W. Va. Code § 30-3E-9(a)

A license issued to a PA by the appropriate state licensing board shall authorize the PA to perform medical acts commensurate with their education, training and experience and which they are competent to perform, consistent with the rules of the boards. Medical acts include prescribing, dispensing and administering of controlled substances, prescription drugs or medical devices. A PA with an active practice notification may perform medical acts and/or procedures in collaboration with physicians which are consistent with the PA's education, training and experience, the collaborating physician's scope of practice, and any credentialing requirements of the health care facility where the PA holds an active practice notification. W. Va. Code § 30-3E-12

A PA may not prescribe a Schedule I controlled substance. A PA may prescribe up to a three-day supply of a Schedule II narcotic. There are no other limitations on the prescribing authority of a PA. W. Va. Code § 30-3E-3(a)(7),(c)

West Virginia does not currently have any provisions related to the number of PAs a physician can supervise or collaborate with.

West Virginia does not currently have any provisions related to chart review or chart co-signatures.

Statute allows adaptable proximity.

"Collaboration" means overseeing the activities of the medical services rendered by a physician assistant. Constant physical presence of the collaborating physician is not required as long as the collaborating physician and PA are, or can be, easily in contact with one another by telecommunication. Collaboration does not require the personal presence of the collaborating physician at the place or places where services are rendered. W. Va. Code § 30-3E-1

A physician assistant may provide medical services consistent with their education, training, and experience. This may occur in any health care setting, both hospital and outpatient in accordance with their practice notification. W. Va. Code §30-3E-12