HB 1280 creates a $250 million "medical expense relief fund" within Tennessee's general fund to help the next of kin or estate of a decedent who was enrolled in TennCare at the time of death pay their unpaid medical debt and expenses. The Department of Human Services would administer the fund, setting application procedures, eligibility criteria (considering debt amount and need), and determining whether grants go to next of kin, the estate, or directly to creditors. Funds would be used solely for covering the decedent's medical costs, including unpaid TennCare benefits or premiums. The bill requires DHS to establish reporting mechanisms and submit annual reports to legislative committees, but it does not appropriate funds until the state budget act includes specific funding.
HB 693 eliminates a requirement that could force insured patients to pay administrative fees for pharmacist-provided hormonal contraceptives when their pharmacy benefit already covers the cost. The bill directly affects insured patients using pharmacy benefits for hormonal contraceptives and pharmacists who dispense these medications. Key provisions amend Tennessee law to change language from "shall prohibit" to "must not prohibit" fees, ensuring patients cannot be charged extra for covered contraceptives. This change applies to all pharmacists authorized under Tennessee law who provide hormonal contraceptives to insured patients. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.
SB 1377, the Voluntary Portable Benefit Plan Act, allows businesses to voluntarily contribute to portable benefit plans for independent contractors. These plans, administered by third-party providers chosen by the contractor, cover health, disability, unemployment, life insurance, and retirement benefits. Contributions can be made directly by the business or by withholding a portion of the contractor’s pay, but only with a clear written opt-in agreement and the ability to opt out at any time. The bill amends Tennessee law to ensure these contributions cannot be used to determine a worker’s employment classification as an employee or independent contractor.
HB 62 authorizes Tennessee athletic trainers to use dry needling for preventing, treating, and rehabilitating athletic injuries, directly affecting licensed athletic trainers in the state. The bill requires the Board of Athletic Trainers to establish minimum competency standards that practitioners must demonstrate to safely perform dry needling. It clarifies that this practice does not constitute acupuncture under existing law. The policy change expands athletic trainers' scope of practice with specific safety safeguards, effective March 28, 2025.
HB 1074 removes two notification requirements related to prior authorization for healthcare services in Tennessee. It eliminates the obligation for healthcare providers to inform patients when communicating with insurers about missing information for prior authorization requests, and it removes the requirement for utilization review organizations to notify patients when providers fail to submit needed information within seven days. The bill directly affects patients, healthcare providers, and insurance entities by changing communication protocols during the prior authorization process. These changes amend Tennessee Code Sections 63-1-171(b) and 56-6-705(a), effective upon becoming law (Public Chapter 125, enacted April 8, 2025).
SB 1063 removes two notification requirements related to prior authorization for healthcare services in Tennessee. It eliminates the requirement for healthcare providers to notify patients when communicating with insurance companies about missing information for prior authorization, and it removes the requirement for insurance companies to notify patients when additional information is needed from the patient or provider. The bill directly affects healthcare providers, insurance companies, and patients by reducing administrative steps in the prior authorization process. These changes amend Tennessee Code sections 63-1-171 and 56-6-705, effective April 3, 2025.
SB 577 amends Tennessee's TennCare program by shortening the time frame for implementing the annual coverage assessment from seven days to five days. It also establishes limits on hospital payments under specific circumstances, directly affecting TennCare administrators and participating hospitals. The bill changes the timing requirement in Tennessee Code Annotated Section 71-5-2005(d)(2)(D) and became effective April 3, 2025, after being signed by the Governor.
HB 584 extends the expiration date of Tennessee's annual limit on new nursing home beds from June 30, 2025, to June 30, 2029. The bill maintains the current cap of 125 new nursing home beds per fiscal year that the Health Facilities Commission can approve through its certificate of need process. This change directly affects nursing home operators seeking to expand their facilities and the commission responsible for reviewing such requests. The bill does not alter the 125-bed limit but only extends the period during which it remains in effect.
HB 155 amends Tennessee law to allow registered nurses to pronounce death for patients or residents in nursing homes, hospitals, or assisted-care facilities without needing to confirm the death was "anticipated." The bill removes this prior requirement and instead requires the attending physician's written agreement to sign the death certificate, which must be present at the time of death. This change directly affects registered nurses working in healthcare facilities by expanding their authority to formally declare death. The law took effect upon enactment (April 8, 2025), streamlining the death certification process for healthcare providers.
HB 186 modifies Tennessee's medical licensing rules for surgical assistants. It allows applicants to register using current credentials from the American Board of Surgical Assistants (ABSA) in addition to the existing National Commission for Certification of Surgical Assistants (NCCSA), expanding acceptable credentialing options. The bill also removes the December 31, 2019, deadline for applicants with specific practical experience to register. This directly affects surgical assistants seeking state registration in Tennessee by simplifying credential recognition and eliminating a time-sensitive requirement. The changes apply to the Board of Medical Examiners' registration process under Tennessee Code Annotated Title 63, Chapter 6.
