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TN SB0650

TN SB0650
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4 and Title 71, relative to TennCare.


summary

Introduced
01/31/2025
In Committee
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

114th General Assembly

Bill Summary

As introduced, enacts "Emma's Bill," which requires that when making a determination of medical necessity, the bureau shall take into consideration the patient's overall condition and use such overall condition as a factor to determine the level of funding and what medical items and services the patient receives, even if such determination does not result in the least costly course of diagnosis or treatment. - Amends TCA Title 4 and Title 71.

AI Summary

This bill, known as "Emma's Bill," amends Tennessee's TennCare (the state's Medicaid program) regulations to modify how medical necessity is determined for patients. Specifically, the bill requires the state's healthcare bureau to consider a patient's overall medical condition when deciding funding and medical services, even if that approach is not the least expensive option. The bill provides a comprehensive definition of "overall condition" that includes factors such as the patient's mobility, cognitive awareness, communication ability, need for nursing supervision, and requirement for life-sustaining equipment like ventilators. By adding a new subsection to the existing law, the bill shifts the focus from purely cost-driven decision-making to a more holistic assessment of a patient's medical needs. The changes will take effect on July 1, 2025, and aim to ensure that patients with complex medical conditions receive more personalized and comprehensive healthcare support through the state's Medicaid program.

Committee Categories

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Placed on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 4/21/2025 (on 04/17/2025)

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