Healthcare

signed · Tennessee · House Mar 23, 2026

HB 169: Insurance, Health, Accident - As enacted, expands the definition of a health benefit plan; requires a health benefit plan that amends, renews, or delivers a policy of coverage on or after January 1, 2026, and that provides coverage for prescription contraceptives, to provide coverage for a 12-month refill of contraceptives obtained at one time by an insured person. - Amends TCA Title 56 and Title 71.

HB 169 requires health benefit plans in Tennessee that cover prescription contraceptives to provide a 12-month refill option for insured individuals, starting January 1, 2026. This applies to all health insurance plans (including TennCare and CoverKids programs) that renew or issue coverage after that date, directly affecting people with such plans who use contraceptives. The bill amends Tennessee law to define "health benefit plan" broadly and specifies that contraceptive coverage must include this extended refill option. It does not change existing contraceptive coverage requirements but adds a specific provision for 12-month supplies. The effective date was updated from 2024 to 2026 in the bill.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates 12-month contraceptive refill coverage in health plans, expanding access to reproductive healthcare without requiring additional visits or prescriptions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 9, 2025

HB 195: TennCare - As introduced, establishes separate reimbursement rates for ground-based rural ambulance services and urban ambulance services provided to TennCare recipients; allows for certain rural ambulance service providers to receive emergency medical services equipment grants. - Amends TCA Title 71.

HB 195 establishes separate reimbursement rates for ambulance services under Tennessee's TennCare program. Urban ambulance providers will be reimbursed at 67.5% of Medicare rates, while rural ambulance providers will receive 100% of Medicare rates for services to TennCare recipients. The bill also authorizes emergency medical equipment grants for for-profit rural ambulance service providers. These changes directly affect ambulance companies operating in rural or urban areas that bill TennCare. The policy aims to address cost disparities between service areas while maintaining existing billing frameworks.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareIncreases rural ambulance reimbursement to 100% Medicare rates (vs urban 67.5%) and provides equipment grants, enhancing access to emergency medical services for rural TennCare patients.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicare

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Jan 27, 2025

SB 164: TennCare - As introduced, directs the bureau to establish a temporary TennCare benefits program to provide medical assistance on a temporary basis to certain individuals who do not qualify for enrollment in TennCare, CoverKids, or a successor program; requires the bureau to submit a waiver to the federal centers for medicare and medicaid services by December 31, 2025. - Amends TCA Title 71, Chapter 5.

SB 164 creates a temporary healthcare program for low-income Tennesseans who don’t qualify for existing TennCare or CoverKids. It would provide medical assistance for up to 60 months total (with different limits for under-21 and 21+ individuals) to those with income at or below 138% of the federal poverty level. The program requires a federal waiver by December 2025, uses 90% federal and 10% state funding, and does not replace eligibility for existing programs. Enrollment would begin six months after federal approval, with benefits pausing if someone later qualifies for TennCare or CoverKids.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates temporary healthcare program expanding coverage for low-income Tennesseans excluded from existing TennCare/CoverKids, using federal funding to improve access without replacing current programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Medicare

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 210: TennCare - As introduced, establishes separate reimbursement rates for ground-based rural ambulance services and urban ambulance services provided to TennCare recipients; allows for certain rural ambulance service providers to receive emergency medical services equipment grants. - Amends TCA Title 71.

SB 210 establishes separate reimbursement rates for rural and urban ambulance services under Tennessee's TennCare program. Rural ambulance providers will receive 100% of Medicare's allowable charge for services to TennCare recipients, while urban providers receive 67.5%. The bill also authorizes emergency medical services equipment grants for for-profit rural ambulance providers. It defines "rural" and "urban" areas using federal standards (per 42 CFR 414.605) to determine service locations. This directly affects ambulance service providers operating in rural versus urban areas and ensures TennCare covers their services at these adjusted rates.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes higher reimbursement rates (100% vs 67.5%) and equipment grants for rural ambulance services under TennCare, directly increasing funding and access to emergency healthcare services in underserved areas.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicare

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failed · Tennessee · House Feb 17, 2026

HB 1101: TennCare - As introduced, authorizes the governor to expand medicaid pursuant to the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; authorizes the governor to negotiate with the federal centers for medicare and medicaid services to determine the terms of the expansion. - Amends TCA Title 71, Chapter 5.

HB 1101 authorizes Tennessee's governor to expand Medicaid eligibility under the federal Affordable Care Act, directly affecting low-income residents who currently lack coverage. The bill updates state law to allow the governor to negotiate terms with federal Medicare and Medicaid officials (CMS) for this expansion. Key provisions include removing existing barriers to Medicaid expansion and establishing the governor's authority to implement the program. This change would enable Tennessee to extend coverage to approximately 200,000 additional low-income adults, aligning with federal ACA requirements. The bill is pending in the Insurance Committee for further review.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly authorizes Medicaid expansion under ACA, directly increasing health coverage for low-income residents by removing barriers and enabling governor negotiations with CMS.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Medicare

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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 767: Taxes, Business - As introduced, exempts from business tax, receipts from the sale of a prescription drug or medicine with a cost for a 30-day equivalent supply that exceeds the medicare cost threshold for 2025 plan years and services necessary for proper preparation, storage, handling, administration, patient education, or post-sale monitoring of such exempted drugs or medicines. - Amends TCA Title 67, Chapter 4, Part 7.

HB 767 exempts from Tennessee business tax the sales of prescription drugs or medicines that exceed the Medicare Part D specialty tier cost threshold for 2025 plan years, as set by federal Medicare. It also exempts related services like preparation, storage, administration, patient education, and post-sale monitoring for these drugs. The bill directly affects pharmacies and healthcare providers selling high-cost prescription drugs that meet the Medicare threshold. This tax exemption takes effect July 1, 2025, and amends Tennessee tax code sections 67-4-708 and 67-4-712.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts high-cost prescription drug sales from business tax, providing tax relief to pharmacies and healthcare providers selling drugs exceeding Medicare thresholds.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExempts high-cost prescription drug sales from business tax, reducing pharmacy costs and improving access to Medicare Part D specialty medications for patients.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Sales Tax Tax Incentives Medicare Prescription Drugs

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in committee · Tennessee · House Feb 10, 2025

HB 617: Education - As introduced, designates October as "Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Month" in all public schools; requires local education agencies and public charter schools to provide age-appropriate, research-based instruction related to fentanyl abuse prevention and drug poisoning awareness to students in grades six through 12. - Amends TCA Title 15 and Title 49.

HB 617, nicknamed "Tucker's Law," designates October as "Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Month" in all Tennessee public schools and requires schools to provide age-appropriate, research-based instruction about fentanyl abuse prevention and drug poisoning awareness to students in grades 6-12. The bill mandates that this instruction cover suicide prevention, fentanyl abuse risks, local resource access, and broader substance use education. It applies to all local education agencies and public charter schools, with implementation required starting July 1, 2025. The law specifies that instruction may be delivered by qualified entities like health agencies, schools, or mental health professionals.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates K-12 curriculum on fentanyl prevention, advancing student health education programs through required instruction.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates school-based fentanyl abuse prevention and suicide awareness education, directly advancing public health initiatives and substance use prevention under healthcare policy.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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in committee · Tennessee · House May 13, 2025

HB 1203: Medical Occupations - As enacted, authorizes a healthcare provider’s licensing board to issue a license subject to a private advocacy order that requires the applicant to participate in a peer assistance program approved by the board; designates private advocacy orders as confidential and not public records, as long as the provider does not fail to maintain participation in the peer assistance program and requires the initiation of disciplinary proceedings by the board. - Amends TCA Title 63.

HB 1203 allows Tennessee healthcare licensing boards to issue licenses with conditions requiring applicants to participate in a board-approved peer assistance program. This applies to healthcare providers whose medical conditions might affect their ability to practice competently, but the "private advocacy order" itself is not considered a license restriction. The order is confidential and not a public record, unless the provider fails to maintain participation, triggering disciplinary action. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Title 63 to establish this process for conditional licensing.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill enables peer assistance programs for healthcare providers' licensing, promoting safe practice through confidentiality and support, aligning with patient safety and provider competence.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

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in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 954: Law Enforcement - As introduced, requires each law enforcement agency to develop and implement an alternative crisis response unit; requires the Tennessee peace officer standards and training commission to establish uniform training standards for alternative crisis response units in all law enforcement agencies. - Amends TCA Title 33 and Title 38.

HB 954 requires all Tennessee law enforcement agencies to create and implement alternative crisis response units by January 1, 2026. These units must pair a full-time police officer with a qualified mental health professional who leads mental health-related emergency calls. The bill mandates the Tennessee Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission to establish uniform training standards for these units and provide annual officer training on supporting mental health professionals during crisis calls. The law directly affects every law enforcement agency in Tennessee and updates state statutes to formalize this crisis response model.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires mental health professionals in crisis response units, reducing police involvement in non-violent mental health emergencies - aligns with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates mental health professionals in crisis response units, directly supporting mental health services by improving emergency care access and integration with law enforcement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Healthcare Workforce Mental Health

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in committee · Tennessee · House Feb 10, 2025

HB 872: Health Care - As introduced, enacts the "Tennessee Medical Cannabis Act," which establishes a medical cannabis program to be administered by the Tennessee medical cannabis program commission. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 38, Chapter 3; Title 39, Chapter 17; Title 43; Title 50; Title 53; Title 63; Title 67 and Title 68.

HB 872 would establish Tennessee's first regulated medical cannabis program, creating a commission to license and oversee cultivation, distribution, and sales of cannabis for patients with approved medical conditions. The bill defines key terms like "medical cannabis card" for patients, "caregiver" for support providers, and establishes a tracking system to monitor products from cultivation to sale. It directly affects qualifying patients, caregivers, and businesses seeking licenses to operate medical cannabis dispensaries or cultivation facilities within Tennessee. The program aims to provide legal access to medical cannabis while prohibiting smoking/vaping and excluding hemp products, aligning with similar programs in 38 other states.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes regulated medical cannabis program, expanding patient access to healthcare services for qualifying conditions through licensing and oversight.95% confidence

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