Tennessee Senate Bill SB2436

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/2/26

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 56, Chapter 7, relative to health insurer credentialing of healthcare providers.

Summary

SB2436 amends Tennessee’s health insurance credentialing law to create a faster credentialing timeline for certain healthcare providers who move between practice settings. Under current law, health insurance entities must process credentialing applications within the timeframes set in Tennessee Code Annotated Section 56-7-1001, subject to existing exceptions and any requirements imposed by national accrediting bodies. This bill adds a new exception and requires a health insurance entity to complete credentialing within two weeks of receiving a complete application when a provider relocates to a new practice group or facility, was already credentialed at the prior location, and the new group or facility is already credentialed by that insurer. The bill is aimed at reducing delays when providers change jobs or locations, which can help them begin seeing patients and billing insurers more quickly. It applies only to credentialing applications initiated on or after July 1, 2026.

Impact

The bill would amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 56-7-1001 in Title 56, Chapter 7 by adding a new subsection (j) and conforming language in subsections (b) and (f)(2)(C). It creates a statutory two-week credentialing deadline for qualifying provider relocations, narrowing the general rule for health insurance entities and affecting insurer credentialing procedures, provider onboarding, and network participation for physicians and other healthcare providers.

Sentiment

No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no direct evidence of debate or opposition in the supplied materials. Based on the bill text alone, the measure appears policy-focused and operational, with an apparent intent to streamline credentialing rather than alter coverage benefits or reimbursement rules.

Contention

The main potential point of contention is the shortened two-week turnaround, which could be viewed by health insurers as an administrative burden or a challenge to existing credentialing workflows. Healthcare providers and practice groups are likely to support the bill because it reduces delays in moving credentialed providers into new facilities, while insurers may be concerned about implementation timing, verification requirements, and whether the exception could limit flexibility under existing credentialing standards or national accrediting body rules.