Dad Dies After Health Insurance Delays Coverage for New Cancer Treatment, Claims It Wasn’t ‘Medically Necessary’: Report

The case of Eric Tennant, a West Virginia man who lost his battle with stage 4 cancer, has brought to light critical issues surrounding insurance coverage and access to necessary medical treatments. Tennant’s widow, Becky, has spoken out against the frustrating experiences patients face when seeking timely help from their insurance providers.

Eric Tennant, a resident of Bridgeport, was diagnosed in 2023 with cholangiocarcinoma, a rare cancer that originates in the bile ducts and is known for its aggressive nature. Over the following years, he endured arduous chemotherapy and radiation therapies, which took a significant toll on his health. Despite these treatments slowing the spread of the disease, Tennant’s prognosis remained dire.

In early 2025, Tennant’s family was filled with renewed hope upon learning about a promising non-invasive procedure called histotripsy. This innovative treatment utilises ultrasound waves to target and shrink tumours, and in this case, the family believed it could significantly improve his quality of life, even if it did not promise a cure. “My dad was a little nervous because it was something new, but it definitely gave us some hope that he would be around a little bit longer,” said his daughter, Amiya.

However, the family’s optimism was quickly dampened when the Public Employees Insurance Agency (PEIA), which administers Tennant’s health benefits in partnership with UnitedHealthcare, repeatedly denied coverage for the histotripsy procedure. The insurer claimed in their notification that the treatment was “not medically necessary,” leaving the family to grapple with the daunting prospect of an out-of-pocket expense estimated at £50,000 (approximately $50,000).

Becky Tennant expressed her frustration, stating, “People should not have to beg to get help, especially for something that they are already paying for.” Despite submitting several appeals supported by medical records and expert consultations, the family found themselves in a protracted battle for approval.

It was not until the media began to cover the family’s plight that the insurer reconsidered their stance, ultimately approving the treatment in May 2025. Tragically, by the time the approval came through, Eric Tennant’s deteriorating health rendered him ineligible for the procedure. He passed away in September 2025 at the age of 58.

Reflecting on her husband’s struggle, Becky Tennant remarked, “He wasn’t afraid to die, but he didn’t want to die. And you could tell the last day that he was fighting it big time.” This heartbreaking episode highlighted significant deficiencies in insurance protocols regarding timely treatments, with Eric’s case symbolising the dire consequences of bureaucratic delays.

In response to this incident, legislation has been introduced in West Virginia aimed at streamlining access to medically approved treatments. The newly passed bill, known as HB 4965, allows members of the PEIA to pursue medically appropriate alternatives to approved treatments without undergoing an additional approval process. This law seeks to mitigate the turmoil many patients face during critical periods of their lives.

Delegate Laura Kimble, who sponsored the bill, commented that it offers “a rational solution” for patients in distress. She emphasized that if the legislation had been in place during Tennant’s battle against cancer, he could have accessed histotripsy without protracted approvals, as it would have been deemed a lesser expensive option compared to his previously approved chemotherapy.

West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey signed the bill into law on March 31, and it is set to come into effect on June 10. The governor highlighted the need for common sense and compassion in the healthcare system, stating, “This is about trusting patients and their doctors to make the best decisions for their care.”

Eric Tennant’s story has not only shed light on the individual struggle faced by patients but has also sparked legislative change aimed at ensuring that others may not endure the same barriers in their fight for life-saving treatments. The hope is that this new law will pave the way for a more responsive and patient-focused healthcare system in West Virginia and beyond.