SB 1805 increases payments to ambulance service providers participating in Tennessee's TennCare program by raising the reimbursement rate from 67.5% to 110% of Medicare's allowable charges. It directly affects ambulance providers who serve TennCare patients by changing how they are paid for services. The bill also removes the "Ground Ambulance Service Provider Assessment Act" from state law. These changes take effect July 1, 2026, and focus on adjusting payment rates and eliminating a separate assessment requirement.
HB 1956 expands protections for cancer patients by removing restrictions on when health insurance plans must cover approved cancer treatments without requiring "step therapy." The bill changes Tennessee law to prohibit health benefit plans from forcing patients to try less expensive treatments first for *any* cancer diagnosis (previously limited to stage 4 advanced metastatic or blood cancers). This directly affects all health insurance plans covering cancer treatment and enrollees diagnosed with cancer, ensuring coverage for approved drugs without prior step therapy requirements. The law takes effect January 1, 2027, for new or renewed policies.
HB 1914 amends Tennessee law to allow state veterans' homes to provide services beyond skilled nursing care to honorably discharged veterans, as permitted by state or federal law. This directly affects veterans who may need non-skilled care services, such as community support or transitional housing, at state facilities. The bill updates Section 58-7-101(e) to explicitly authorize these additional services while maintaining existing skilled nursing offerings. It also makes minor administrative updates to related sections regarding facility operations and contracts. The changes aim to expand care options for veterans without altering eligibility or funding mechanisms.
HB 1715 would allow breastfeeding mothers in Tennessee to be excused from jury duty upon submitting a written request and a medical statement from a licensed physician to the jury coordinator. It amends Tennessee law (Title 22, Chapters 1 and 2) to require courts to excuse these mothers automatically when the documentation is provided. This directly affects breastfeeding mothers who receive jury summonses across Tennessee. The bill creates a clear, documented process for excusal, replacing the current system where such requests might be handled inconsistently.
HB 2046 directs the first $150 million in health insurance tax revenue (starting July 2026) to access federal matching funds for specific healthcare providers. It will reimburse physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants who provide services like office visits, women’s health care, or anesthesia under TennCare. Reimbursement will cover up to 110% of Medicare rates for these services. This applies to TennCare payments for care provided on or after July 2026.
SB 2036, the "Stabilizing Healthcare Access with Reimbursement Protections (SHARP) Act," requires most Tennessee health insurance companies to annually increase in-network reimbursement rates and annual benefit maximums for individual and group plans by at least the previous year's inflation rate (CPI-U), capped at 4%. It directly affects health insurers and in-network healthcare providers, excluding ERISA-covered plans, small plans (under 100 enrollees), Medicare Advantage, and TennCare. Insurers must file compliance documentation with the Insurance Commissioner by April 1 each year, with the commissioner prioritizing enforcement in areas with provider shortages. Optional catch-up adjustments for frozen rates (5+ years) are allowed up to 20%, with special consideration for rural and small providers.
HB 2005, the "TennCare Buy-In Act," proposes a new health coverage option for Tennesseans aged 18-64 who are not eligible for Medicare or other TennCare programs. It requires eligible individuals to pay monthly premiums based on household income (as a percentage of the federal poverty level), with lower or waived premiums for those below certain income thresholds. The program would provide full TennCare benefits - including managed care through existing networks - excluding non-emergency medical transportation. Enrollment would be administered by the Department of Finance and Administration, with annual renewals and strict premium payment requirements to maintain coverage.
SB 1536 extends the term of the professional art therapist advisory committee (under the board of examiners in psychology) until June 30, 2031. The bill amends Tennessee law to formally include this committee in the board's structure, ensuring its ongoing role. The committee advises on art therapy licensing standards, directly affecting art therapists and the psychology board. The bill passed the Senate unanimously and is pending in the House.
SB 2010, the "Regulate Artificial Intelligence in Health Care Act," requires health insurance companies to have licensed healthcare professionals review AI-driven decisions about whether medical care is medically necessary before denying or delaying treatment. It directly affects health insurance issuers - including TennCare, pharmacy benefits managers, and large insurers - that use AI tools for prior authorization decisions. The bill prohibits AI systems from making final medical necessity determinations alone, mandating that licensed providers evaluate each case based on patient history and clinical details. Violations are considered unfair claims practices, allowing affected individuals to sue for damages, including attorney fees, and the law takes effect July 1, 2026.
This bill, known as the "Tennessee Women's Childbirth Alternatives, Resources, and Education Act" (or "Trixtian's Law"), protects pregnant and postpartum individuals in Tennessee's criminal justice system by prohibiting the use of their pregnancy-related health information as evidence in criminal cases. It bans criminal charges based on pregnancy outcomes like miscarriage, stillbirth, or drug exposure during pregnancy, and requires correctional facilities to provide pregnancy testing within 72 hours. Facilities must also report annual data on incarcerated pregnant individuals and birth outcomes (without personal identifiers) to the Department of Health, while expediting transfers of pregnant people to state custody. These provisions directly affect incarcerated women, correctional facilities, and health data reporting practices across Tennessee.
