Healthcare (Hospitals)

in committee · Tennessee · Senate May 27, 2026

SB 2557: Insurance, Health, Accident - As enacted, authorizes a health insurance entity to offer a short-term limited-duration plan and hospital indemnity coverage on the marketplace. - Amends TCA Title 3; Title 4; Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 8; Title 10; Title 12; Title 29; Title 35; Title 36; Title 37; Title 39; Title 40; Title 41; Title 42; Title 45; Title 47; Title 49; Title 50; Title 52; Title 53; Title 56; Title 58; Title 63; Title 67; Title 68 and Title 71.

SB 2557 shortens the deadline for health insurance companies to provide fee schedules to healthcare providers from 10 to 9 business days after receiving a written request. The bill requires that fee schedules be delivered free of charge, in a standard digital format (like Microsoft Excel), and can be provided as either a partial or full version as requested by the provider. This change directly affects all health insurance carriers in Tennessee and healthcare providers who need timely access to billing information for administrative and billing purposes. The bill amends multiple sections of Tennessee's health insurance code to implement this time reduction.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareShortens insurer deadline for provider fee schedule access, improving administrative efficiency for healthcare providers per bill's explicit language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Insurance

Track

in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 3, 2026

HB 2457: TennCare - As introduced, requires a managed care organization or pharmacy benefits manager that is contracted with the bureau to reimburse a claim for a long-acting injectable drug intended for treatment and prevention of human immunodeficiency virus and administered in a pharmacy, physician's office, clinic, ambulatory surgical treatment center, or hospital. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 56 and Title 71.

HB 2457 requires TennCare-managed care organizations (MCOs) and pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) to reimburse claims for long-acting injectable HIV drugs used for both treatment and prevention. These drugs must be administered in settings like pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals, directly affecting TennCare enrollees with HIV. The bill mandates that MCOs/PBMs cover these drugs under either pharmacy or medical benefits but prohibits double reimbursement - providers can only be paid once per service. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, ensuring consistent coverage for this specific HIV care option.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates TennCare MCOs/PBMs to reimburse long-acting injectable HIV drugs for treatment/prevention, expanding coverage and access to critical HIV care services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Prescription Drugs Primary Care

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 10, 2026

SB 2499: TennCare - As introduced, requires a managed care organization or pharmacy benefits manager that is contracted with the bureau to reimburse a claim for a long-acting injectable drug intended for treatment and prevention of human immunodeficiency virus and administered in a pharmacy, physician's office, clinic, ambulatory surgical treatment center, or hospital. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 56 and Title 71.

SB 2499 requires TennCare-managed care organizations (MCOs) and pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) to reimburse claims for long-acting injectable HIV treatment and prevention drugs administered in pharmacies, clinics, or medical facilities. This directly affects TennCare enrollees needing these drugs, MCOs/PBMs contracted with TennCare, and healthcare providers administering the treatments. The bill mandates single reimbursement for each treatment - either as a pharmacy benefit or medical service, but not both - to prevent duplicate payments. It applies specifically to covered HIV drugs administered in approved settings, ensuring consistent coverage under TennCare.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates TennCare MCOs/PBMs to reimburse long-acting HIV treatment drugs, ensuring patient access to critical medications under coverage.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Prescription Drugs Primary Care

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in committee · Tennessee · House May 27, 2026

HB 1943: Hospitals and Health Care Facilities - As enacted, prohibits a hospital emergency department, including a satellite emergency department, from denying to a woman who presents at such facility and purports or, if incapacitated, appears to be pregnant and experiencing active labor, other symptoms associated with active labor, or an emergency medical condition, an appropriate medical screening examination within the capability of the emergency department, including ancillary services routinely available to the emergency department, to determine whether or not an emergency medical condition or active labor exists; makes other related changes. - Amends TCA Title 63 and Title 68.

HB 1943 requires Tennessee hospital emergency departments to provide a medical screening exam to pregnant women reporting active labor or an emergency medical condition, without denial or delay. It prohibits transferring a pregnant woman to another facility unless her condition is stabilized (per federal EMTALA standards) and mandates that transfers only occur with a physician's written certification of medical necessity and the patient's informed consent. The bill directly affects pregnant women seeking emergency care and hospitals operating emergency departments, imposing penalties for violations like denying screenings or transferring without proper authorization. Key provisions include requiring hospitals to offer stabilization treatment or a safe transfer option, documenting patient consent for refusals, and ensuring transfers meet federal guidelines for specialized care. This legislation aligns Tennessee's emergency care protocols for pregnant patients with existing federal emergency medical treatment laws.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects pregnant women's emergency care access by mandating screening and preventing unsafe transfers, aligning with patient rights and improved healthcare access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Women's Health

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signed · Tennessee · House May 18, 2026

HB 1816: Drugs, Prescription - As enacted, requires the Tennessee opioid abatement council to allocate funds held in the opioid abatement fund in a certain manner. - Amends TCA Title 33; Title 38 and Title 41.

HB 1816, "The Isbill Act," requires Tennessee law enforcement officers and correctional staff to undergo annual training on the criteria for involuntary hospitalization for mental health treatment. Specifically, it mandates the POST Commission and Tennessee Corrections Institute to create and adopt guidelines explaining when emergency and non-emergency involuntary admissions to inpatient care are appropriate. These guidelines will directly affect all law enforcement officers and correctional personnel in the state. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 33, 38, and 41 to implement these training requirements, effective July 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires law enforcement training on mental health involuntary admissions, reducing criminalization of mental health crises and aligning with reform goals.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates annual mental health training for law enforcement on involuntary admission criteria, improving protocol access to inpatient care and aligning with mental health service support indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Law Enforcement Hospitals Mental Health Substance Abuse

in committee · Tennessee · Senate May 18, 2026

SB 1777: Health Care - As enacted, enacts the "Caring for Caregivers Act." - Amends TCA Title 9; Title 33; Title 52; Title 67 and Title 68.

SB 1777, the "Caring for Caregivers Act," creates a pilot program (2026-2029) providing financial grants to Tennessee family caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's or related dementia. It directly affects caregivers who provide unpaid care to eligible family members needing assistance with at least two daily living activities (like bathing or dressing), live in private homes, and have household income below state median limits. The bill allows grants covering up to $6,000 annually for specific eligible expenses: home safety modifications, necessary medical equipment, or respite care, with priority to very low-income households. Grants continue if the care recipient temporarily stays in a hospital but plans to return home.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProvides financial grants to family caregivers of dementia patients, directly funding care support and improving access to healthcare services for vulnerable populations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate May 18, 2026

SB 1584: Hospitals and Health Care Facilities - As enacted, lowers the age of an inpatient from 65 to 50 or older when a hospital, each year from October 1 through March 1, must offer immunization against influenza disease prior to discharge; requires a hospital to offer immunization against pneumococcal disease to an inpatient aged 50 or older prior to discharge. - Amends TCA Title 68.

SB 1584 requires Tennessee hospitals to offer influenza vaccinations (during October 1-March 1 each year) and pneumococcal vaccinations (year-round) to all inpatients aged 50 or older before discharge. This lowers the age threshold from 65 to 50 for these mandatory immunizations, directly affecting hospitals and patients in that age group. The bill amends Tennessee law to align with CDC recommendations, mandating these offers unless medically contraindicated or vaccines are unavailable. It takes effect July 1, 2026, and applies to discharges during the specified flu season period.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates hospitals to offer flu/pneumococcal vaccines to 50+ inpatients before discharge, aligning with CDC recommendations to improve preventive care access and public health outcomes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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passed · Tennessee · Senate Mar 2, 2026

SB 1947: Hospitals and Health Care Facilities - As introduced, requires a blood bank to comply with a physician's order for an autologous blood donation or directed blood donation for a specific patient; requires a hospital to allow a patient who is scheduled for a medical procedure to provide an autologous blood donation or directed blood donation upon order of a physician. - Amends TCA Title 68, Chapter 32.

SB 1947 requires blood banks to follow a physician's order for a patient's own blood donation (autologous) or a donation designated for a specific patient (directed). It also mandates hospitals to permit such donations for scheduled medical procedures when ordered by a physician, unless medically unsafe. Both blood banks and hospitals may charge reasonable administrative fees but must still comply with all federal and state blood safety, testing, and compatibility requirements. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, directly affecting patients, blood banks, and hospitals in Tennessee.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates blood banks/hospitals to comply with physician orders for patient-specific blood donations, improving access to personalized blood services during medical procedures while maintaining safety standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 11, 2026

HB 2049: Health Care - As introduced, creates the state uterine fibroids commission. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 63 and Title 68.

HB 2049 establishes the State Uterine Fibroids Commission, composed of 11 members including healthcare professionals, hospital representatives, patient advocates (with uterine fibroids or related conditions), and two legislative appointees. The commission will evaluate existing efforts, advise the governor and health department on policies, research state regulations related to uterine fibroids and related conditions, and hold annual public hearings. It must submit annual reports to health committees by December 31 each year. The commission directly affects women diagnosed with uterine fibroids, endometriosis, or polycystic ovary syndrome by creating a formal advisory body focused on their health needs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates commission to evaluate and improve uterine fibroids policies, advancing healthcare access and research through advisory role and annual reports.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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signed · Tennessee · Senate May 27, 2026

SB 1681: Hospitals and Health Care Facilities - As enacted, prohibits a hospital emergency department, including a satellite emergency department, from denying to a woman who presents at such facility and purports or, if incapacitated, appears to be pregnant and experiencing active labor, other symptoms associated with active labor, or an emergency medical condition, an appropriate medical screening examination within the capability of the emergency department, including ancillary services routinely available to the emergency department, to determine whether or not an emergency medical condition or active labor exists; makes other related changes. - Amends TCA Title 63 and Title 68.

SB 1681 requires Tennessee hospital emergency departments to provide an immediate medical screening examination to any pregnant woman presenting with active labor or an emergency medical condition. It prohibits transfers before stabilization (as defined by federal EMTALA standards) unless the woman or her authorized representative provides written consent after being informed of risks and benefits. The bill applies directly to hospitals and pregnant women seeking emergency care, mandating that facilities offer appropriate treatment or transfer under specific conditions. Violations may result in penalties and licensing sanctions, as the law amends Tennessee Codes Title 63 and Title 68.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates immediate screening for pregnant women in labor, prohibits unsafe transfers, and protects patient rights under emergency care standards per EMTALA.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals