Healthcare

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 5, 2026

SB 2436: Insurance, Health, Accident - As introduced, requires a health insurance entity to approve a healthcare provider's completed credentialing application within two weeks of receipt when the healthcare provider is credentialed by the health insurance entity and relocates to a new practice group or facility that is also credentialed by the same health insurance entity. - Amends TCA Title 56, Chapter 7.

SB 2436 requires Tennessee health insurance companies to approve a healthcare provider’s credentialing application within two weeks when the provider relocates to a new practice group or facility that is already credentialed by the same insurer. This applies specifically to providers who were previously approved at their prior location and move to a new location within the insurer’s network. The bill creates a new rule (Section 56-7-1001(j)) that shortens the approval timeline for these specific relocation cases. It directly affects healthcare providers seeking to change practice locations within the same insurer’s network and the insurers themselves. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, for applications submitted on or after that date.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires insurers to approve provider credentialing within 2 weeks for internal relocations, improving patient access to care without delays.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medical Licensing

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in committee · Tennessee · House Feb 10, 2026

HB 2579: Insurance, Health, Accident - As introduced, increases, from 60 to 65 days prior to the effective date of the change, the required minimum notice that a health insurance entity must provide to a healthcare provider of any material change made in the sole discretion of the insurance entity to the entity's previously released provider manual or a reimbursement rule and policy. - Amends TCA Title 56, Chapter 7.

HB 2579 amends Tennessee law to require health insurance companies to provide healthcare providers with 65 days' notice - up from 60 days - before implementing any material changes to their provider manuals or reimbursement policies. This change directly affects healthcare providers who rely on timely notice to adjust billing, care coordination, and practice operations. The bill modifies Tennessee Code Annotated § 56-7-3302(a)(1) to extend the notice period, ensuring providers have slightly more time to prepare for insurer policy updates.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExtends insurance notice period from 60 to 65 days, giving providers more time to adjust operations, supporting healthcare provider stability and patient care continuity.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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died · Tennessee · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 2599: Disability and Aging, Dept. Of - As introduced, removes the termination date of the Alzheimer's and dementia respite care pilot program; removes the requirement that the program must actively serve up to 225 enrollees at one time in each fiscal year of the program's operation. - Amends TCA Title 52, Chapter 8, Part 2.

HB 2599 extends Tennessee's Alzheimer's and dementia respite care pilot program by removing its scheduled end date, allowing it to continue indefinitely without a sunset clause. It also eliminates a requirement that the program must serve no more than 225 participants in any given fiscal year. This change provides greater flexibility for the program to serve more individuals as needed, without a fixed enrollment cap. The bill directly impacts respite care services for people with Alzheimer's or dementia and their caregivers in Tennessee.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExtends Alzheimer's respite care program indefinitely and removes enrollment cap, increasing access to healthcare services for dementia patients.95% confidence

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 2579: Dieticians and Nutritionists - As enacted, enacts the "Dietetics and Nutrition Practice Act." - Amends TCA Title 4 and Title 63.

SB 2579, the "Dietetics and Nutrition Practice Act," establishes new licensure requirements for dietitians and nutritionists in Tennessee, replacing current standards. It defines key terms like "medical nutrition therapy" (for treating health conditions) versus "general non-medical nutrition information," and creates distinctions between "complex" (high-acuity medical cases) and "non-complex" care. The bill expands the governing board from five to nine members and sets minimum education and competency standards for licensed practitioners. This directly affects dietitians, nutritionists, and the public seeking these services, clarifying who can provide medical nutrition care versus general dietary advice.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes clearer licensure standards for dietitians/nutritionists, defines medical vs. non-medical services, and expands oversight to ensure qualified care for patients.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 2169: Public Defenders - As introduced, creates five additional social worker positions in the public defender system. - Amends TCA Title 8, Chapter 14 and Title 9, Chapter 4.

SB 2169 creates five new social worker positions within Tennessee's public defender offices, effective July 1, 2026. These positions will directly support public defender systems statewide by adding social work resources to assist clients, particularly those with mental health or social service needs. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 8, Chapter 14, and Title 9, Chapter 4, to formalize these staffing changes without altering legal procedures or case outcomes. It focuses solely on expanding support staff capacity within existing public defense services.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAdds social worker positions to public defender system to assist clients with mental health/social needs, enhancing defendant support and rehabilitation resources within criminal justice framework.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAdds social workers to address mental health needs within public defender system, directly supporting mental health services per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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signed · Tennessee · House Apr 24, 2026

HB 2498: TennCare - As enacted, prohibits the division from providing coverage or reimbursement for a medical procedure performed on, or administered to, an individual if the performance or administration of the procedure is for the purpose of enabling the individual to identify with, or live as, a purported identity inconsistent with the individual's sex, or treat purported discomfort or distress from a discordance between the individual's sex and asserted identity. - Amends TCA Title 71, Chapter 5.

HB 2498 prohibits Tennessee's TennCare program from covering or reimbursing medical procedures performed to help individuals "identify with, or live as, a purported identity inconsistent with their sex" or to treat "discomfort from discordance between sex and asserted identity." The bill specifically excludes coverage for gender dysphoria, gender identity disorders, or related mental conditions, but allows coverage for congenital defects, precocious puberty, disease, or physical injury. Existing treatments started before the law's effective date (July 1, 2026) may continue until March 31, 2027, with physician certification required for continuation. The bill directly affects TennCare beneficiaries, particularly transgender and non-binary individuals seeking gender-affirming care.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareProhibits TennCare coverage for gender dysphoria treatment, restricting healthcare services for transgender individuals under healthcare policy.95% confidence

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 18, 2026

SB 2675: Children - As introduced, exempts a school social worker, licensed by the state board of education, who provides preventative and developmental counseling, from having to obtain the consent of a parent of a minor prior to rendering such services. - Amends TCA Title 36, Chapter 8; Title 49 and Title 63, Chapter 1.

SB 2675 exempts licensed school social workers in Tennessee from needing parental consent to provide preventative and developmental counseling to minors. The bill directly affects school social workers (licensed by the state board of education) and the students they serve in public schools. It amends Tennessee law to remove the requirement for parental consent specifically for these types of counseling services, while maintaining consent requirements for other medical or therapeutic interventions. This change applies to counseling focused on prevention and student development, not general medical treatment.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRemoves parental consent barrier for school social workers' preventative counseling, enhancing student access to mental health services in K-12 schools.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves parental consent barrier for school-based mental health counseling, improving access to preventative services for minors.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 17, 2026

SB 2307: Hospitals and Health Care Facilities - As introduced, enacts the "The Frank J. Lake III Act"; requires a long-term care ombudsman for an assisted-care living facility to notify all residents of such facility if the facility contacts the ombudsman; directs the health facilities commission to post a certain specified notice on the commission's website if an assisted-care living facility is placed on probation; makes other related changes. - Amends TCA Title 68, Chapter 11.

SB 2307, known as "The Frank J. Lake III Act," requires assisted-care living facilities in Tennessee to notify all residents or their representatives if the facility contacts the long-term care ombudsman. It also mandates the state health facilities commission to post a specific notice on its website when a facility is placed on probation or if disciplinary action is pending, clarifying that the notice does not admit any deficiency. Additionally, facilities must provide residents with a website link showing their current licensure status and any history of disciplinary actions before admission or contract signing. These provisions aim to increase transparency about facility oversight for residents and their families.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires facilities to notify residents of ombudsman contact and post probation notices, enhancing transparency and resident rights in care facilities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care Medical Licensing

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 17, 2026

SB 2243: Medical Occupations - As introduced, reduces from 45 to 35 days, the amount of time the board of physician assistants has to either render a decision on a licensure application submitted by an individual licensed, registered, or certified as a physician assistant in another jurisdiction or inform the licensure applicant from another jurisdiction of the need to appear before the board. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 7; Title 24; Title 33; Title 38; Title 49; Title 53; Title 55; Title 56; Title 63; Title 68; Title 71 and Chapter 1042 of the Public Acts of 2024.

SB 2243 shortens the timeframe for Tennessee's Board of Physician Assistants to review licensure applications from out-of-state applicants. It reduces the decision period from 45 to 35 days for applicants already licensed in another state. This change directly affects physician assistants seeking to practice in Tennessee who hold credentials from other jurisdictions. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, applying to applications submitted on or after that date.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareShortens licensure review time for out-of-state physician assistants, improving healthcare access and provider availability by reducing administrative delays.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

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introduced · Tennessee · House Feb 5, 2026

HB 2197: Health Care - As introduced, authorizes an individual to submit a request for a pre-application determination of eligibility for an occupational license based on criminal history either in writing or electronically, rather than exclusively in writing, and updates the provision regarding judicial review to clarify that the 30-day window to petition the Davidson County chancery court is triggered by the receipt of either written or electronic notice of disqualification. - Amends TCA Title 63 and Title 68.

HB 2197 allows individuals seeking health care licenses in Tennessee to request a pre-application eligibility check based on criminal history both in writing and electronically, not just in writing. It updates the process by clarifying that the 30-day window to challenge a disqualification notice in court begins when the notice is received - whether sent by mail or electronically. This directly affects people with criminal records applying for health care licenses (e.g., nurses, pharmacists). The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 63-1-130(b) and (c) to implement these procedural changes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeClarifies process for license eligibility with criminal history, reducing barriers to healthcare employment - aligns with criminal justice reform by aiding reintegration.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill streamlines healthcare licensing for individuals with criminal records by enabling electronic requests and clarifying court challenge timelines, improving access to healthcare professions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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