AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 56; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71, relative to maternal health.
SB0898 creates a new TennCare maternal health monitoring pilot program aimed at pregnant Medicaid recipients who have maternal hypertension or maternal diabetes. The program would use remote patient monitoring devices to collect and transmit health data such as blood pressure, weight, and blood glucose levels, with the goal of improving maternal outcomes during the second and third trimesters and for up to three months postpartum. The bill defines key terms, including eligible participants, participating managed care organizations, healthcare providers, nursing teams, and technology vendors, and requires the vendor to provide training, device delivery, monitoring, and health coaching.
The bill directs the Bureau of TennCare to select a managed care organization and technology vendor to administer the pilot, with the managed care organization contracting directly with the vendor. It also requires the pilot to reach at least 300 eligible participants across as many counties as necessary, become operational within 180 days of contract execution, and be supported by a program manager and clinical staff capable of escalation when readings or symptoms indicate urgent care is needed. The bill contemplates an initial appropriation of $600,000 in fiscal year 2025-2026 and each year thereafter, subject to appropriations or available funds, and requires annual reporting to legislative leaders on the pilot’s evaluation and whether it should be expanded statewide.
In terms of state law, the bill adds a new part to Tennessee Code Annotated Title 71, Chapter 5, and authorizes TennCare’s director to promulgate rules under the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act. It also touches Titles 56, 63, and 68 through the caption, but the operative provisions are centered on TennCare administration, provider qualifications, and remote monitoring services for maternal care. The measure is structured as a pilot rather than a permanent statewide benefit expansion, though it expressly contemplates future expansion based on program results.
The general sentiment reflected in the available vote history is favorable. The Senate Commerce and Labor Committee recommended passage by a 7-1 vote, suggesting broad support for the concept of using remote monitoring to address Tennessee’s poor maternal health outcomes. The bill’s findings and structure indicate a policy emphasis on improving access, early intervention, and care coordination for higher-risk pregnancies, especially for TennCare enrollees.
The main points of contention are likely to center on cost, implementation, and program design rather than the underlying goal. The bill depends on appropriations or available funds, and the proposed $600,000 annual funding level may draw scrutiny. Other possible concerns include the use of a pilot program instead of a broader benefit, the requirement that the Bureau select a managed care organization and vendor, and whether the program can be implemented effectively across counties while ensuring adequate clinical oversight and meaningful participation.
The bill would add a new TennCare pilot program to Tennessee Code Annotated Title 71, Chapter 5, creating a state-administered maternal health monitoring initiative for pregnant Medicaid recipients with hypertension or diabetes. It authorizes TennCare to contract with a managed care organization and technology vendor, sets clinical and operational requirements for remote patient monitoring, and empowers the TennCare director to adopt implementing rules. The bill would not immediately create a universal statewide mandate, but it would establish a framework for a targeted pilot that could later be expanded based on annual reports and evaluation findings.
The available legislative history suggests generally positive sentiment toward the bill. The Senate Commerce and Labor Committee recommended passage by a 7-1 vote, indicating substantial support for the pilot approach and its focus on maternal health improvement. The bill’s findings reflect a policy consensus that Tennessee’s maternal outcomes need intervention and that remote monitoring is an appropriate tool for higher-risk pregnancies.
Likely areas of contention include funding, administrative complexity, and the scope of the pilot. The bill contemplates an annual appropriation of $600,000, which may raise budget concerns, and it relies on TennCare, a managed care organization, and a technology vendor working together under a relatively detailed structure. Some lawmakers may question whether a pilot limited to at least 300 participants is sufficient, whether the program should be expanded more broadly from the outset, and whether remote monitoring can be implemented equitably in counties with limited broadband or device access. The lone dissenting vote in committee suggests at least some concern, though no transcript is available to identify the specific objection.