HB 1061 prohibits out-of-network ambulance providers from charging patients extra fees (balance billing) for emergency ambulance services covered under their health insurance plan. It directly affects patients using emergency ambulance services who are enrolled in health benefit plans, ensuring they pay no more than the lesser of their in-network copay, the ambulance bill, or 325% of the Medicare rate for similar services in their area. The bill requires health insurers to count patient payments toward their deductibles and out-of-pocket limits, and bans providers from asking patients to waive these protections. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, for health plans issued or renewed on or after that date.
HB 2100 removes a requirement for nonresidential substitution-based treatment centers (like medication-assisted therapy for opiate addiction) to obtain a certificate of need starting July 1, 2026. This change affects treatment centers providing outpatient care for opiate addiction, eliminating a prior approval process for these facilities. The bill amends specific sections of Tennessee law (TCA Title 68, Chapters 11 and 985) to delete the certificate of need mandate. The policy change aims to reduce regulatory barriers for these treatment centers, effective July 2026.
HB 387 prohibits Tennessee healthcare providers from asking patients about firearm ammunition or accessory ownership, possession, or access. It also bans denying treatment or discriminating against patients based on firearm ownership, and requires written notice if an inquiry occurs. Violations result in disciplinary action by the provider’s licensing board and a $1,000 fine per violation. The law applies to most healthcare providers (excluding psychiatrists/psychologists) and takes effect July 1, 2025. It directly affects patient-provider interactions in medical settings across Tennessee.
HB 2166 requires blood banks to follow a physician's order for a patient's own blood donation (autologous) or a donation specifically designated for that patient (directed). It also mandates hospitals to permit such donations for patients scheduled for medical procedures, unless medically unsafe or incompatible with safety standards. The bill allows facilities to charge reasonable administrative fees but explicitly states it does not override existing federal or state blood safety, testing, or compatibility requirements. This directly affects patients needing scheduled procedures, blood banks, and hospitals by streamlining access to pre-donated blood while maintaining all current safety protocols.
HB 867 creates a pilot program for pregnant TennCare recipients with hypertension or diabetes, using remote patient monitoring to improve maternal health outcomes. The program requires technology vendors to provide devices that track blood pressure, glucose, and other health data, deliver devices directly to participants, and train them on use - ensuring functionality without broadband access. A nursing team and healthcare provider must monitor data, provide health coaching, and establish emergency protocols. The pilot aims to serve at least 300 participants across selected counties and must launch within 180 days of vendor contracts. The bill is currently pending review by the Finance, Ways, and Means Committee.
HB 870 prohibits insurers, pharmacy benefits managers, and third-party administrators from altering health plan coverage terms based on whether a patient qualifies for financial or product assistance for prescription drugs. The bill requires insurers to calculate enrollees' out-of-pocket costs using standard methods, including amounts paid by others on the enrollee's behalf, and explicitly bans conditioning coverage on drug assistance availability. It directly affects health plan enrollees and the entities managing prescription drug benefits in Tennessee. The law applies to health plans entered into, amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, and amends multiple sections of Tennessee's health insurance code.
HB 201 requires Tennessee's TennCare program to reimburse ambulance services at specific rates: 67.5% of Medicare's rate for emergency transports and 100% for nonemergency transports. It directly affects public and private ambulance providers operating in Tennessee that bill for services to TennCare recipients. The bill amends Tennessee law to set these reimbursement levels based on existing Medicare payment standards for participating providers. This policy change ensures ambulance services receive minimum payment rates aligned with federal Medicare benchmarks. The bill is currently under review by the Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee.
HB 179 modifies Tennessee's criminal abortion law by adding exceptions that exempt certain abortions from criminal prosecution. It specifies that performing an abortion is not a crime if it is necessary to protect the pregnant person's physical or mental health, or if the pregnancy resulted from rape or incest (as defined in Tennessee law). The bill amends Title 39, Chapter 15 of Tennessee Code, reclassifying such abortions as non-criminal under these specific circumstances. This change takes effect July 1, 2025, directly affecting licensed physicians performing abortions and pregnant individuals in these defined situations.
House Joint Resolution 91 is a symbolic resolution expressing the Tennessee General Assembly's support for the SREB Crisis Recovery Network. It directly supports Tennessee schools, districts, and postsecondary institutions by endorsing a regional network that provides long-term, specialized counseling services after crises like natural disasters, school shootings, or public emergencies. The resolution recognizes that schools often lack sustained mental health resources, especially in rural areas, and highlights the network’s role in deploying trained counselors to aid recovery for students, teachers, and communities over extended periods. This is a non-binding statement of support, not a law imposing new requirements.
This bill would allow certain licensed psychologists in Tennessee to independently prescribe medications for mental health conditions after meeting specific training and certification requirements. It directly affects doctoral-level psychologists who complete a post-doctoral master's program in clinical psychopharmacology, pass a national prescribing exam, and complete a one-year fellowship with 100 patient evaluations under supervision. Key provisions require 450 patient contact hours in training, a master's degree covering neurosciences and pharmacology, and verification by the Tennessee Board of Examiners in Psychology. The board would issue an "advanced certificate to prescribe" for independent authority, expanding psychologists' scope to include prescribing psychotropic medications without physician oversight.
