Bill > SB0205

This bill requires TennCare health benefit plans to provide coverage and reimbursement for biomarker testing for preeclampsia in pregnant women, starting July 1, 2025. The bill defines key terms such as "biomarker" (a measurable characteristic indicating biological processes), "biomarker test" (analysis of tissue or blood for specific markers using FDA-approved methods), and "health insurance carrier" (entities providing health insurance under TennCare). Specifically, the legislation allows pregnant women to be screened for preeclampsia via biomarker testing when ordered by their attending physician, and mandates that these tests be conducted by healthcare providers following nationally recognized clinical practice guidelines. The Division of TennCare is authorized to create rules implementing this requirement and may submit waiver applications to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to ensure federal financial participation. The bill aims to improve prenatal care by providing a new diagnostic tool for identifying potential complications during pregnancy, with a particular focus on detecting preeclampsia, a serious condition characterized by high blood pressure that can affect both mother and baby.

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https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=SB0205&ga=114