Healthcare

died · Tennessee · House Feb 10, 2025

HB 428: TennCare - As introduced, requires TennCare to provide eligible covered enrollees with continuous glucose monitoring; establishes criteria for eligibility. - Amends TCA Title 56 and Title 71.

HB 428 requires TennCare to cover continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) for enrolled individuals with specific diabetes conditions. It directly affects TennCare members diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, gestational diabetes, or Type 2 diabetes with documented complications like frequent low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), high A1C levels (≥7%), or hospitalizations related to diabetes. The bill mandates coverage only when a specialist (endocrinologist or diabetes-experienced provider) confirms eligibility based on medical criteria. The law takes effect January 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates TennCare coverage for continuous glucose monitors for qualifying diabetes patients, expanding access to essential medical devices and improving diabetes management services.95% confidence

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Jan 27, 2025

SB 187: Abortion - As introduced, enacts the "Reproductive Freedom Act." - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 20; Title 29; Title 37; Title 39; Title 49; Title 53; Title 56; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71.

SB 187, the "Reproductive Freedom Act," would establish new legal protections for abortion and reproductive healthcare in Tennessee. It defines "reproductive health care" broadly to include abortion, contraception, prenatal care, and fertility services, while affirming that pregnant people have fundamental rights to make decisions about their care without state interference. The bill deletes numerous existing restrictions across Tennessee law (including provisions in Titles 39, 49, and 53 that previously limited abortion access) and requires healthcare plans to cover reproductive health services. This legislation directly affects all Tennessee residents seeking or providing reproductive healthcare, particularly those needing abortion care or related services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves restrictions on abortion and defines reproductive healthcare broadly (including contraception, prenatal care), protecting patient access without state interference per bill's explicit language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

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in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 387: Medical Occupations - As introduced, prohibits a healthcare provider from inquiring as to a patient's ownership, possession of, or access to firearm ammunition or firearm accessories; subjects the healthcare provider to disciplinary action and a fine of $1,000 if the healthcare provider makes such inquires. - Amends TCA Title 63 and Title 68.

HB 387 prohibits Tennessee healthcare providers from asking patients about firearm ammunition or accessory ownership, possession, or access. It also bans denying treatment or discriminating against patients based on firearm ownership, and requires written notice if an inquiry occurs. Violations result in disciplinary action by the provider’s licensing board and a $1,000 fine per violation. The law applies to most healthcare providers (excluding psychiatrists/psychologists) and takes effect July 1, 2025. It directly affects patient-provider interactions in medical settings across Tennessee.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits healthcare providers from inquiring about firearm ownership/access, preventing discrimination and protecting patient rights in healthcare settings per bill's explicit language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

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signed · Tennessee · Senate Apr 8, 2025

SB 1305: Health Care - As enacted, extends the CoverKids program from June 30, 2025, to June 30, 2030. - Amends TCA Section 71-3-1113.

SB 1305 extends Tennessee's CoverKids health insurance program for children by changing its expiration date from June 30, 2025, to June 30, 2030. This bill directly affects low-income children in Tennessee who qualify for the CoverKids program, ensuring continued access to health coverage. The key mechanism is amending Tennessee Code Annotated Section 71-3-1113 to update the program's termination date. The bill was signed into law on April 3, 2025, and became effective April 8, 2025.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExtends CoverKids health insurance program for low-income children, ensuring continued coverage access without restrictions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SB 786: Psychologists - As introduced, requires that test materials and test data from psychological or neuropsychological testing be kept secure to avoid compromising the validity of the testing; makes other changes related to security of psychological or neuropsychological test materials and test data. - Amends TCA Title 63, Chapter 11.

SB 786 requires psychologists and neuropsychologists to securely store test materials and data from psychological evaluations to maintain test validity. It prohibits third-party observers (like family members, attorneys, or insurance representatives) during testing and bans video/audio recordings, with limited exceptions for disabilities, language needs, minors, or trainee supervision. The bill restricts access to test materials/data solely to licensed psychologists or trained experts who must legally and ethically protect their security. It directly affects professionals conducting psychological evaluations, ensuring data integrity for high-stakes decisions like forensic assessments, medical evaluations, and educational accommodations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareSecures psychological testing data to maintain validity and prevent unauthorized access, protecting patient rights and mental health service integrity within healthcare framework.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires secure storage of psychological test data, directly supporting data privacy protections within Technology policy.80% confidence

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in committee · Tennessee · House Feb 12, 2025

HB 1382: Insurance Companies, Agents, Brokers, Policies - As introduced, imposes requirements for health insurance issuers using artificial intelligence, algorithms, or other software for utilization review or utilization management functions. - Amends TCA Title 8, Chapter 27; Title 56 and Title 71.

HB 1382 requires health insurance companies, HMOs, and programs like TennCare to follow specific rules when using artificial intelligence or algorithms to review treatment requests (utilization management). It mandates that AI tools must base decisions on individual patient medical history and provider recommendations - not group data - and cannot override licensed doctors' evaluations of medical necessity. Insurers must disclose AI use in their policies, regularly review AI performance for accuracy, and ensure tools don’t discriminate or harm patients. This bill directly affects all Tennessee health insurance issuers using AI for treatment reviews, including major programs like TennCare and pharmacy benefits managers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates AI transparency and prevents override of physician decisions in insurance utilization review, protecting patient rights and ensuring individualized care.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRegulates AI use in health insurance to prevent bias, mandate transparency, and protect patient decisions from algorithmic override - aligns with consumer tech regulation.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Prescription Drugs Artificial Intelligence

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died · Tennessee · House Feb 11, 2026

HB 295: Health Care - As introduced, adds doula services performed by a person with a verification of certification to the list of services that may be provided as medical assistance under the TennCare program; directs the department of health to establish by rule a process for the verification of certification to a person who demonstrates that the person has completed a doula training program that meets certain requirements. - Amends TCA Title 63 and Title 71.

HB 295 would add doula services to Tennessee's TennCare Medicaid program, allowing certified doulas to provide covered support for pregnant individuals. The bill requires the Tennessee Department of Health to create a verification process for doulas who complete approved training programs covering pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care. This includes verifying knowledge of anatomy, emotional support strategies, comfort techniques, and community resources. The policy change would directly affect TennCare beneficiaries seeking doula support and certified doulas aiming to provide covered services. The bill does not change eligibility but expands covered services under TennCare.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAdds doula services to TennCare Medicaid coverage, expanding access to prenatal/postpartum support through certified providers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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introduced · Tennessee · House Feb 6, 2025

HB 875: Safety - As introduced, decreases from five to three the number of business days an ambulance service provider has to furnish to a patient or their authorized representative a copy of the patient's run record upon written request; decreases from five to three the number of business days an ambulance service provider has to furnish a copy of the patient's run record to a surveyor employed by the health facilities commission upon written request. - Amends TCA Title 56; Title 68 and Title 71.

HB 875 would reduce the deadline for ambulance service providers to provide patient run records from five to three business days. This applies to written requests from patients or their authorized representatives, as well as to requests from health facilities commission surveyors. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 68-140-319(a)(1)(C) to change the time frame. This is a procedural adjustment affecting administrative timelines for ambulance providers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareReduces ambulance record access time from 5 to 3 business days, improving patient access to medical records as a healthcare policy indicator.85% confidence

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 18, 2025

SB 555: Insurance, Health, Accident - As introduced, requires a healthcare provider, healthcare group, practice, or clinic, healthcare facility, or other entity to provide notice to each health insurance entity with which it is under contract as soon as practicable if the healthcare provider, healthcare group, practice, or clinic, healthcare facility, or other entity is the subject of a cyber-attack. - Amends TCA Title 33; Title 56; Title 63; Title 68, Chapter 11 and Title 71.

SB 555 requires healthcare providers, clinics, facilities, and related entities in Tennessee to notify all health insurance companies they work with "as soon as practicable" if they experience a cyber-attack. This applies to any organization that contracts with insurers for patient care billing. The law mandates immediate notification to help insurers protect patient data and maintain billing systems during security incidents. It amends Tennessee health insurance codes (Titles 33, 56, 63, 68, and 71) to implement this requirement. The bill focuses solely on triggering timely communication about cyber incidents, not on preventing attacks or altering insurance coverage.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires healthcare entities to notify insurers of cyber-attacks to protect patient data, directly advancing data security in healthcare services per bill's intent.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates immediate cyber-attack notification to insurers to protect patient data, enhancing cybersecurity protocols per bill's core requirement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Primary Care

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate May 15, 2026

SB 676: Health Care - As enacted, revises law relative to gender clinics and related services. - Amends TCA Title 1; Title 4; Title 33; Title 56; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71.

SB 676 requires gender clinics receiving state funding to offer both gender transition and detransition procedures, and mandates that insurers covering transition procedures must also cover detransition. It applies to all gender clinics licensed in Tennessee and insurance providers offering such coverage. The bill also mandates clinics to report detailed statistics on gender transition procedures (including patient age, procedure type, and diagnoses) to the Department of Health monthly, with annual public reports starting in 2025. These requirements aim to increase transparency around gender healthcare services while imposing specific obligations on covered providers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires insurers to cover detransition procedures if covering transition, expanding access to gender healthcare options and mandating clinic reporting for transparency.90% confidence

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