AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 56; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71, relative to coverage of biomarker testing for preeclampsia.
Summary
HB0070 requires TennCare health benefit plans renewed or issued on or after July 1, 2025, to cover and reimburse biomarker testing for preeclampsia. The bill defines key terms such as biomarker, biomarker testing, health insurance carrier, and TennCare health benefit plan, and ties coverage to tests ordered by a pregnant woman’s attending physician. It also specifies that the testing must be conducted in accordance with nationally recognized clinical practice guidelines and consensus statements.
The bill authorizes the Tennessee Division of TennCare to adopt rules and take administrative action to implement the new coverage requirement. It also permits TennCare to seek federal approval, including waiver applications or amendments, to preserve federal financial participation for Medicaid coverage under the new mandate. The act takes effect immediately for rulemaking purposes, while the coverage requirement itself begins July 1, 2025.
Impact
The bill amends Tennessee law in Title 71 to create a new Medicaid/TennCare coverage mandate for biomarker testing related to preeclampsia. Its practical effect is to require TennCare-managed health plans to pay for this prenatal diagnostic testing when medically ordered, potentially expanding access for pregnant enrollees and increasing obligations for carriers and the state program. It also gives TennCare authority to promulgate rules and pursue federal Medicaid approvals needed to implement the benefit.
Sentiment
No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no direct evidence of debate, opposition, or support in the available record. Based on the bill text alone, the measure appears policy-focused and medically targeted, with a public-health orientation toward prenatal screening and early detection of preeclampsia. The absence of recorded controversy suggests the bill may have been treated as a technical or health coverage expansion measure, but that cannot be confirmed from the available materials.
Contention
The main potential points of contention are the cost and administrative impact of mandating coverage for a new biomarker test under TennCare, and whether the state can secure federal Medicaid matching funds for the benefit. Health insurance carriers and TennCare administrators may be concerned about implementation, reimbursement standards, and compliance with clinical guidelines. On the other hand, supporters would likely emphasize improved maternal health outcomes and earlier identification of preeclampsia risk for pregnant women.
Crossfiled
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 56; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71, relative to coverage of biomarker testing for preeclampsia.
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 8; Title 33; Title 39; Title 49; Title 53; Title 56; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71, relative to mental health.