AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 56 and Title 71, relative to cancer testing.
Summary
HB1775 requires health insurance plans in Tennessee to cover certain cancer-related testing and imaging without cost-sharing. Specifically, it mandates coverage for clinical genetic testing for inherited gene mutations when an individual has a personal or family history of cancer and the testing is recommended by a healthcare professional. It also requires coverage for evidence-based cancer imaging for individuals at increased risk of cancer when recommended under the most recent NCCN clinical practice guidelines.
The bill defines key terms such as cost-sharing requirement, evidence-based cancer imaging, genetic testing for an inherited mutation, health plan, healthcare service, and insurer. It applies to health plans offered or issued by insurers subject to Tennessee insurance law and is intended to ensure access to medically recommended cancer screening and diagnostic services. The bill also includes a provision to preserve compatibility with federal health savings account rules, allowing the mandate to operate differently for HSA-qualified high-deductible health plans when necessary under federal law.
Impact
The bill would amend Tennessee Code Annotated Title 56 by adding a new insurance coverage mandate for cancer genetic testing and cancer imaging. It would require insurers and health plans to cover these services without deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, or similar out-of-pocket costs, except as adjusted for federal HSA-qualified high-deductible health plan rules. The mandate would apply to plans issued, amended, or renewed on or after July 1, 2026, affecting insurers, employers offering covered plans, and enrollees seeking cancer risk assessment and early detection services.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee debate or votes in the provided materials, the overall sentiment appears supportive and policy-oriented, focused on expanding access to cancer testing and imaging. The measure is framed as a preventive and diagnostic coverage expansion rather than a controversial restructuring of insurance law. No opposing arguments, amendments, or recorded roll-call votes are included in the available context.
Contention
The main potential point of contention is the insurance mandate itself, especially the requirement that covered services be provided without cost-sharing, which can increase costs for insurers and potentially for premiums. Another likely issue is the interaction with federal HSA-qualified high-deductible health plan rules, since the bill must preserve tax-advantaged health savings account eligibility. No specific opponents or supporters are identified in the provided discussion or voting history, so any contention is inferred from the policy design rather than documented debate.