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Bill > HB0435
TN HB0435
TN HB0435AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 9, Chapter 8; Title 16; Title 18; Title 20; Title 21; Title 27; Title 28; Title 29; Title 33; Title 45; Title 47; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71, relative to healthcare costs.
summary
Introduced
01/28/2025
01/28/2025
In Committee
02/05/2025
02/05/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
114th General Assembly
Bill Summary
As introduced, requires a healthcare facility that accepts public funds as compensation for losses due to providing uncompensated care to ensure that an amount of outstanding patient debt equal to the amount of public funds accepted is designated as satisfied and that patient is notified of such satisfied debt; prohibits the healthcare facility from seeking a judgment or taking other legal action to collect from the debtor any portion of such debt that is so designated; requires the department of health and division of TennCare to submit an annual report on uncompensated care payments to hospitals. - Amends TCA Title 9, Chapter 8; Title 16; Title 18; Title 20; Title 21; Title 27; Title 28; Title 29; Title 33; Title 45; Title 47; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71.
AI Summary
This bill aims to address healthcare costs and uncompensated care in Tennessee by introducing new requirements for healthcare facilities that receive public funds. The bill defines "uncompensated care" as healthcare services for which no payment was received, and mandates that when a facility accepts public funds to cover losses from such care, they must designate an equal amount of the patient's outstanding debt as satisfied. The healthcare facility is prohibited from taking legal action to collect the satisfied portion of the debt and must notify the patient about the debt satisfaction, including details about the amount forgiven and any remaining balance. The health facilities commission is required to establish rules to help facilities maximize the number of patients whose debt can be offset, and facilities that fail to comply may face sanctions. Additionally, the bill requires the department of health and TennCare to submit an annual report to the general assembly by January 15th each year, detailing expenditures for virtual disproportionate share hospital (DSH) payments and uncompensated care payments to hospitals, as defined in the TennCare 1115 demonstration waiver. The act will take effect immediately upon becoming law.
Committee Categories
Health and Social Services
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Assigned to s/c Health Subcommittee (on 02/05/2025)
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=HB0435&ga=114 |
| Fiscal Note - SB0403 | https://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/114/Fiscal/SB0403.pdf |
| BillText | https://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/114/Bill/HB0435.pdf |
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