Mountain State Times

Department of Health Cabinet Secretary Sherri Young announced the appointment of Justyn Cox as the new Executive Director of the West Virginia Health Care Authority. Cox's previous experience includes serving as the Administrative Services Manager for West Virginia Senior Advantage, a Medicare Advantage Plan, and holding various corporate roles at Stonerise Healthcare and Communicare Health Services.

Secretary Young stated, "With decades of experience in the healthcare industry, Cox brings to the position a unique skill set which will help connect healthcare services to underserved areas while helping to eliminate the duplication of services where they are not needed."

The West Virginia Health Care Authority is tasked with collecting information on healthcare costs and ensuring access to appropriate healthcare services. A key function of the agency is issuing Certificates of Need, aimed at preventing unnecessary duplication of reviewable services and containing costs by assessing service needs in specific areas. The agency also gathers financial documents from facilities for public transparency.

Cox will report directly to Secretary Young. Oversight is provided by a board comprising five members appointed by the Governor with Senate advice and consent.