SB 1796 requires Tennessee's Commissioner of Commerce and Insurance to publish a report by October 1, 2026, detailing alleged violations of pharmacy reimbursement laws (specifically §56-7-3124) by pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) during the prior fiscal year. The report must include the total number of reported violations, the commissioner's investigation findings, and any penalties imposed for violations. This bill directly affects PBMs (who manage prescription drug benefits for insurers) and pharmacies that may face delayed reimbursements, by mandating transparency in enforcement actions without creating new penalties or requirements.
SB 1626 requires Tennessee health insurance plans to cover clinical genetic testing for inherited cancer risks (for individuals with personal or family cancer history) and evidence-based cancer imaging (for high-risk individuals), as recommended by healthcare providers or National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines. This applies to all health insurers in Tennessee, directly affecting patients seeking these specific cancer prevention and early detection services. The law mandates that this coverage must be provided without cost-sharing (no deductibles, copays, or coinsurance). The requirement takes effect for plans issued, amended, or renewed on or after July 1, 2026.
SB 1722 requires Tennessee health insurance companies to pay non-network medical laboratories (that are eligible to join an insurance network) at least the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) clinical laboratory fee schedule rate for covered lab tests. It also allows insurers to set the same performance standards for these non-network labs as they do for in-network providers. The law will take effect on July 1, 2026, and applies to health insurance and managed health insurance issuers in Tennessee.
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.
SB 2020 would prevent Tennessee health insurance companies from reducing payments for healthcare services (downcoding) except in specific, limited situations, requiring them to provide the treating provider's identification and credentials when doing so. It extends the validity of prior authorizations for essential treatments like mental health care, cancer therapies, opioid medications, and preventive services, reducing the need for repeated approvals for patients. The bill also prohibits insurers from using artificial intelligence tools alone to deny care, mandating that licensed physicians must review and approve such decisions based on individual patient history. This legislation would directly affect healthcare providers, insurers, and patients in Tennessee by streamlining payment processes and ensuring medical decisions are made by qualified professionals.
HB 2075, the "Helping Open Pathways to Effective (HOPE) Treatment Act," proposes to establish a framework for Tennessee to conduct clinical trials of ibogaine - a Schedule I drug with potential for treating opioid use disorder, PTSD, depression, and other conditions - by amending state laws. The bill creates a process for "cohorts" (groups including drug developers, research institutions, and hospitals) to submit detailed proposals to the Department of Mental Health for FDA-approved trials, requiring specific plans for participant recruitment, safety protocols, and breakthrough therapy designation. It directly affects Tennessee's mental health department, healthcare institutions, and pharmaceutical developers seeking to advance ibogaine research. The bill does not fund trials but enables state participation in federal clinical pathways, aiming to accelerate FDA approval for ibogaine as a medical treatment.
HB 1470 prohibits developers and deployers of artificial intelligence systems from advertising or representing to the public that their AI acts as a qualified mental health professional. This directly affects AI companies and developers creating mental health-related tools. Violations would be treated as deceptive acts under Tennessee's Consumer Protection Act, subject to a $5,000 civil penalty per violation. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, and defines "artificial intelligence" as systems capable of human-like reasoning and learning.
HB 1984 expands access to buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder by allowing more healthcare providers to directly administer buprenorphine mono or buprenorphine without naloxone, as long as they act within their scope of practice. It specifically permits prescribing these medications to nursing mothers and patients with documented adverse reactions to naloxone, and clarifies that prescribing injectable forms doesn’t restrict providers from later prescribing non-naloxone buprenorphine. The bill amends Tennessee’s pharmacy law (TCA Title 53, Chapter 11) to remove barriers for these specific scenarios. This directly affects healthcare providers (like nurse practitioners or physician assistants) and patients seeking opioid treatment, particularly nursing mothers and those with allergies to naloxone.
SB 1768 requires Tennessee's Secretary of State to place an advisory ballot question on the 2026 November general election ballot asking voters if the state should authorize a regulated medical cannabis program for qualifying patients. If approved, the program would generate tax revenue dedicated to after-school programs, mental health services, law enforcement training, and community cannabis education. The bill does not create the program itself but seeks voter approval for its implementation through a binding referendum. This would directly affect medical cannabis patients and state funding allocations, with no immediate legislative changes enacted.
HB 1727 requires Tennessee counties (excluding those with over 800,000 residents or metropolitan governments) and municipalities to provide job-protected unpaid leave for qualifying medical emergencies starting January 1, 2027. It directly affects county and municipal employees who have worked at least 11 months and 3 weeks, meet federal FMLA eligibility, and have no other available leave for the emergency. Key provisions include allowing leave for birth/stillbirth, caring for a family member with a serious health condition, or the employee’s own serious health condition - aligning with federal FMLA standards. The bill amends multiple Tennessee code sections to mandate these policies in employer personnel guidelines.
