Does Insurance Cover Online Therapy in West Virginia?

Key points

West Virginia Code §33-57-1 requires many state-regulated health insurers to cover telehealth services when the same services are covered face to face.
Those insurers may not exclude a service just because it is provided by telehealth, or add copays or deductibles that are not applied equally to other covered services.
The West Virginia Public Employees Insurance Act has its own section with the same coverage rule.
Not every kind of coverage is governed by these sections, so ask your plan which rules it follows.
The Offices of the Insurance Commissioner has a Consumer Services team that helps with claim denials and network questions.

The short answer

If you live in West Virginia and want to see a therapist by video, the state's insurance code is on your side in many cases. West Virginia Code §33-57-1, titled Coverage of telehealth services, says that certain insurers that issue or renew a health insurance policy on or after July 1, 2020 must cover health care services provided through telehealth if the same services are covered through a face-to-face visit.

That does not mean every visit is free or that every plan works the same way. Your deductible, copay and network still matter. This article explains what the law says, which plans it reaches and what to ask. It is general information as of October 2026, not legal advice.

What West Virginia's telehealth coverage law says

The section defines telehealth services as the use of synchronous (real-time) or asynchronous telecommunications technology, or audio-only telephone calls, by a licensed health care practitioner to provide care such as assessment, diagnosis, consultation and treatment. E-mail messages and fax transmissions do not count.

The law also defines the originating site, meaning where the patient is during the visit, and its list includes a patient's home and the patient's work location. For someone joining a video session from the living room, that matters.

Coverage: an insurer covered by the section must cover services provided through telehealth if the same services are covered face to face.
No telehealth-only exclusions: the insurer may not exclude a service from coverage solely because it is provided through telehealth.
Even cost sharing: the insurer may not impose copays, coinsurance, deductibles or benefit limits on telehealth that are not equally imposed on all services covered under the policy.
Dollar limits: the insurer may not set an annual or lifetime dollar maximum on telehealth other than one that applies to all covered services together.

Which plans the law covers

Section 33-57-1 applies to insurers subject to five articles of West Virginia's insurance code. Going by the article titles in the official code, those cover accident and sickness insurance, group accident and sickness insurance, hospital, medical and health service corporations, health care corporations, and health maintenance organizations.

Public employees have their own rule. The West Virginia Public Employees Insurance Act includes §5-16-7b, which says the plan must cover health care services provided through telehealth if the same services are covered face to face, may not exclude a service solely because it is delivered by telehealth, and carries the same limits on uneven cost sharing.

Some coverage is set up differently, for example a plan your employer pays for directly, Medicare, or coverage issued in another state. If you are not sure which kind you have, ask your plan or your employer's benefits office which rules apply.

Questions to ask before your first session

Is outpatient mental health care covered by video?Call the member services number on your card and ask about outpatient therapy delivered by secure video, not just general telehealth.
Is the therapist or practice in network?In-network care usually costs you less. Ask for the practice by name, and ask whether out-of-network benefits apply if it is not listed.
What will I pay per visit?Ask about your deductible, copay or coinsurance for outpatient mental health visits, and whether they differ from in-person visits.
Is any approval needed first?Some plans ask for a referral or prior authorization. It is easier to know before you book.

If a claim is denied

Start by asking your insurer, in writing if you can, why the claim was denied and how to appeal. Keep notes of each call, with the date and the name of the person you spoke to.

The West Virginia Offices of the Insurance Commissioner has a Life and Health Consumer Services team for questions like this. According to its page, staff help with claim denials or underpayments, network concerns, getting copies of policies and explaining how a policy works, and can act as a liaison with the insurance company. You can reach them toll free at 1-888-879-9842 or file a complaint online. The office also posts an External Review application.

How we can help

Locascio Wellness is an all-virtual practice, and clients must be physically located in West Virginia during each session. We are in network with Aetna, Cigna, Highmark, Independence Blue Cross, Blue Cross Blue Shield plans, Geisinger, Optum, UnitedHealthcare and Medicare. We do not accept Medicaid, and self-pay is available. Coverage depends on your plan, so see our insurance and fees page, and our administrative team can verify your benefits.

Therapists on our team work with concerns such as ongoing worry, described on our anxiety therapy page, and low mood, described on our depression therapy page. Learn more on our online therapy in West Virginia page, or start with a free 15-minute consultation on our booking page.

Therapy is for ongoing care, not emergencies. If you are in crisis, call or text 988, or call 911. Locascio Wellness does not provide emergency services. Sorting out coverage takes a phone call or two, and then you can focus on the part that matters: getting support.

Common questions

Does West Virginia require insurance to cover telehealth therapy?

For many plans, yes. West Virginia Code §33-57-1 says insurers subject to several articles of the state insurance code that issue or renew a policy on or after July 1, 2020 must cover health care services through telehealth if those services are covered face to face. Your plan's deductible, copays and network rules still apply, so check your benefits.

Can my insurer charge more for a video session than an office visit?

Under §33-57-1, an insurer covered by the section may not impose copays, coinsurance, deductibles or benefit limits on telehealth that are not equally imposed on all services covered under the policy. If your costs for video therapy look different from in-person visits, ask your insurer to explain, and contact the Insurance Commissioner's Consumer Services team if needed.

Does the law cover PEIA members?

The West Virginia Public Employees Insurance Act has its own telehealth section, §5-16-7b. It says the plan must cover health care services provided through telehealth if the same services are covered face to face, and may not exclude a service solely because it is provided by telehealth. Check your plan documents for your own costs.

Does Locascio Wellness take my insurance in West Virginia?

We are in network with a number of commercial plans and with Medicare, and self-pay is available. We do not accept Medicaid. Coverage depends on your plan and the state, so our administrative team verifies your benefits before you start, and our insurance and fees page lists the plans we work with.

Sources

Published by Locascio Wellness. Published October 23, 2026. Clinically reviewed by Anthony Locascio, PsyD, LPC. This page is general information, not medical advice or a diagnosis.