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Cancer Patient Dies After Treatment Denied
11 Apr
Summary
- A cancer patient died after his insurance repeatedly denied a new ultrasound treatment.
- The patient's family fought for coverage, but his condition worsened during delays.
- A new law was signed in West Virginia to speed up treatment approvals.
Eric Tennant, a 58-year-old from West Virginia, died in September 2025 from stage 4 cholangiocarcinoma. His family had sought a non-invasive treatment called histotripsy to shrink a liver tumor. The Public Employees Insurance Agency, which contracts with UnitedHealthcare, denied coverage multiple times between February and March 2025, citing lack of medical necessity.
Tennant's wife, Becky, engaged in a lengthy appeals process, submitting extensive medical documentation and contacting state representatives. Coverage was reportedly only approved in May 2025 after media attention. However, the delay meant Tennant's condition had deteriorated significantly, rendering him ineligible for the procedure.
His death has spurred legislative action in West Virginia. Governor Patrick Morrisey signed bill HB 4965 into law on March 31, 2026. This new law, effective June 10, 2026, allows PEIA members to pursue alternative, medically appropriate treatments of equal or lesser value without additional insurer approval if a course of treatment is already approved. It also establishes stricter timelines for insurer responses, particularly for urgent cases.
