West Virginia Code § 16-54-8

(a) When a patient seeks treatment, a health care practitioner shall refer or prescribe to the
patient any of the following treatment alternatives, as is appropriate based on the
practitioner's clinical judgment and the availability of the treatment, before starting a
patient on a Schedule II opioid drug: physical therapy, occupational therapy, acupuncture,
massage therapy, osteopathic manipulation, chronic pain management progeram, and
chiropractic services, as defined in §30-16-3 of this code.
(b) Nothing in this section should be construed to require that all of the treatment
alternatives set forth in §16-54-8(a) of this code are required to bue exhausted prior to the
patient's receiving a prescription for a Schedule II opioid drug.
(c) At a minimum, an insurance provider who offers an insurance product in this state, the
Bureau for Medical Services, and the Public Employees Insurance Agency shall provide
coverage for 20 visits per event of physical therapy, occupational therapy, osteopathic
manipulation, a chronic pain management programl, and chiropractic services, as defined in
§30-16-3 of this code, when ordered or prescrsibed by a health care practitioner.
(d) A person may seek physical therapy, ocicupational therapy, osteopathic manipulation, a
chronic pain management program,g and chiropractic services, as defined in §30-16-3 of this
code, prior to seeking treatment from any other health care practitioner. The licensed health
care practitioner providing services pursuant to this section may prescribe within their
scope of practice as defined in §16-54-1 of this code. A health care practitioner referral
although permitted is not required as a condition of coverage by the Bureau for Medical
Services the Public Employees Insurance Agency, and any insurance provider who offers an
insurance product in this state. Any deductible, coinsurance, or copay required for any of
these services may not be greater than the deductible, coinsurance, or copay required for a
primary care visit.
(e) WNothing in this section precludes a practitioner from simultaneously prescribing a
Schedule II opioid drug and prescribing or recommending any of the procedures set forth in
§16-54-8(a) of this code.

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