AN ACT to amend and reenact §5-16-7f of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §9-5-31; to amend and reenact §33-15-4s of said code; to amend and reenact §33-16-3dd of said code; to amend and reenact §33-24-7s of said code; to amend and reenact §33-25-8p of said code; and to amend and reenact §33-25A-8s of said code, all relating to prior authorizations; defining terms; requiring prior authorizations and related communications to be submitted via an electronic portal; requiring electronic notification to the health care provider confirming receipt of the prior authorization; establishing timelines for compliance; providing communication via the portal regarding the current status of the prior authorization; reducing time frames for prior authorization requests; providing a time frame for a decision to be rendered after the receipt of additional information; providing a time frame for a claim to be submitted to audit; stating provisions pertaining to patient communications about step therapy protocols; establishing time frame for peer-to-peer appeals; reducing timeline for prior authorization appeal process; revising the percentage approval for a health care provider to be considered for an exemption from prior authorization criteria; revising time frame for prior authorization exemption process; removing limitation on prior authorization exemption that applied exemption to procedures used to justify granting of exemption; expanding auditing of prior authorization exemption process; requiring plan to give health care practitioner rationale for revocation of exemption; providing for limitations to exemption; removing criteria related to electronic submission of pharmacy benefits; amending effective date; requiring oversight and data collection by the Office of the Insurance Commissioner and the Inspector General; and providing for civil penalties.