Healthcare (Insurance)

died · Tennessee · House May 1, 2026

HB 2243: Insurance, Health, Accident - As enacted, enacts the "Stopping Health Insurers from Excluding Legal Decisions (SHIELD) Act." - Amends TCA Title 8; Title 56 and Title 71.

HB 2243, the "SHIELD Act," prohibits health insurance companies from including patients with legally recognized vaccine exemptions (based on religion or medical reasons) in vaccination-related quality metrics used to determine provider reimbursement rates. It directly affects healthcare providers who treat such patients and health insurance entities that set payment structures. The bill requires insurers to exclude exempt patients from calculations of vaccination rates and bans them from penalizing providers - through reduced payments, network removal, or withheld bonuses - for having these patients in their practice. This ensures providers aren’t financially penalized for following state law on vaccine exemptions. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, for new or renewed insurance contracts.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrevents insurers from penalizing providers treating patients with vaccine exemptions, protecting patient access and rights in healthcare coverage.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Public Health

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signed · Tennessee · Senate May 1, 2026

SB 2070: Insurance, Health, Accident - As enacted, enacts the "Stopping Health Insurers from Excluding Legal Decisions (SHIELD) Act." - Amends TCA Title 8; Title 56 and Title 71.

SB 2070, the "SHIELD Act," prohibits health insurance companies from penalizing healthcare providers for treating patients with legally recognized vaccine exemptions (based on religious beliefs or medical contraindications). It requires insurers to exclude exempt patients from vaccination-related quality metrics, such as vaccination rate calculations, and bans insurers from dropping providers from networks or reducing payments solely because they treat such patients. The law applies to all quality measures used for reimbursement, including HEDIS, and ensures claims denied in violation of these rules are treated as "clean claims" subject to standard penalties. It takes effect July 1, 2026, affecting Tennessee healthcare providers, insurers, and patients with valid vaccine exemptions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits insurers from penalizing providers for treating patients with legal vaccine exemptions, protecting patient access and provider rights under healthcare insurance policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Public Health

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 10, 2026

SB 1795: Insurance, Health, Accident - As introduced, requires health benefit plans entered into, amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2027, to provide coverage for services related to acquired brain injury; requires the commissioner of commerce and insurance to promulgate rules to provide a process for an expedited appeal of an adverse determination related to such coverage. - Amends TCA Title 8; Title 56 and Title 71.

SB 1795 requires all health insurance plans in Tennessee renewed or entered after January 1, 2027, to cover specific treatments for acquired brain injury (ABI), including cognitive rehabilitation, neurofeedback therapy, and community reintegration services. It directly affects health insurers (who must provide this coverage) and patients with ABI (who gain guaranteed access to these treatments). The bill prohibits lifetime or unreasonable annual limits on these services and mandates insurers to create an expedited appeal process for coverage denials related to ABI care. This policy change ensures broader access to critical ABI therapies without arbitrary coverage restrictions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates coverage for ABI treatments (cognitive rehab, neurofeedback) and prohibits lifetime limits, expanding patient access to essential health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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signed · Tennessee · House Apr 23, 2026

HB 1665: Health Care - As enacted, prohibits certain healthcare providers from knowingly or willfully asking a minor, or a health insurance issuer, managed care organization, or entity providing reimbursement for healthcare services from requiring or requesting a healthcare provider or facility to ask, certain gender-related questions for any purpose; makes other related changes. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 33; Title 47; Title 56; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71.

HB 1665 prohibits healthcare providers in Tennessee from asking minors specific gender-related questions (such as whether a minor feels normal in their body or identifies as a different gender) without a parent being physically present, fully informed, and providing written consent. The bill applies to all healthcare settings covered under Tennessee law and requires such questions to be directly related to a minor's current medical or psychological treatment. Exceptions include emergency care, mandated reporting for abuse, and situations where a minor is emancipated or a parent themselves. The legislation also bars insurance companies from requiring these questions for payment or penalizing providers who don't ask them. It amends multiple Tennessee code sections (Titles 4, 33, 47, 56, 63, 68, 71) to enforce these requirements.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareRestricts healthcare providers from asking minors gender-related questions without parental consent, limiting access to gender-affirming care for minors.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 1930: Health Care - As introduced, revises requirement for the department of commerce and insurance to report on coverage for mental health, alcoholism, and drug dependency. - Amends TCA Title 56.

HB 1930 amends Tennessee law to require the Department of Commerce and Insurance to submit annual reports on health insurance coverage for mental health, alcoholism, and drug dependency by January 31 each year. Previously, the reports were due "each year thereafter" without a specific deadline, but this change establishes a fixed submission date. The bill directly affects the agency responsible for filing these reports and ensures the public receives timely data on coverage for these conditions. This adjustment standardizes the reporting timeline without altering the content or scope of the required information.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates annual reports on mental health coverage transparency, enhancing accountability and public access to healthcare data per bill's purpose.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Mental Health

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signed · Tennessee · House May 26, 2026

HB 1956: Insurance Companies, Agents, Brokers, Policies - As enacted, expands the prohibition, from stage 4 advanced metastatic cancer or metastatic blood cancer to any cancer, against a health benefit plan that provides coverage for cancer requiring the use of a step therapy protocol before the health benefit plan provides coverage for an approved prescription drug to an enrollee who has received a diagnosis of cancer. - Amends TCA Title 8; Title 56; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71.

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands cancer treatment access by removing step therapy barriers for all cancer diagnoses, strengthening patient coverage rights under insurance plans.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Prescription Drugs

in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 2046: TennCare - As introduced, directs the first $150 million of tax revenue generated by the health maintenance organization tax on or after July 1, 2026, to be utilized to draw down federal funds to reimburse a physician, advanced practice registered nurse, or physician assistant who is entitled to receive TennCare reimbursement for a CPT code for evaluation and management, obstetrics and gynecology, or anesthesia. - Amends TCA Title 56; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesDirects $150M health insurance tax revenue to fund TennCare provider reimbursements, aligning with funding essential public services.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareDirects $150M tax revenue to reimburse providers at 110% Medicare rates for TennCare services, expanding funding for primary care, OB/GYN, and anesthesia access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Healthcare Workforce Insurance Medicare

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 5, 2026

SB 2036: Insurance, Health, Accident - As introduced, enacts the "Stabilizing Healthcare Access with Reimbursement Protections (SHARP) Act." - Amends TCA Title 8 and Title 56.

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates annual inflation-based reimbursement increases for insurers, preventing rate cuts that limit provider access. Directly protects in-network healthcare access for patients.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicare

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in committee · Tennessee · House Feb 4, 2026

HB 2005: TennCare - As introduced, enacts the "TennCare Buy-In Act." - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 3, Part 10 and Title 71, Chapter 5.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes income-based premiums for health coverage, promoting fiscal responsibility through user fees for essential services while reducing state budget burden.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands health coverage to uninsured Tennesseans 18-64 via income-based premiums, offering full TennCare benefits including managed care networks.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicare

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SB 2010: Insurance, Health, Accident - As introduced, creates the "Regulate Artificial Intelligence (AI) In Health Care Act." - Amends TCA Title 8, Chapter 27; Title 56 and Title 71.

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates licensed professionals review AI decisions on medical necessity before coverage denials, protecting patient access and strengthening oversight in health insurance.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRegulates AI in healthcare by requiring human review of AI decisions before treatment denial, protecting patients from unreviewed AI outcomes per bill's intent.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Prescription Drugs Artificial Intelligence

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