Tennessee House Bill HB2064

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/24/24
• Refer: 1/29/24

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 8, Chapter 27 and Title 56, Chapter 7, relative to the insurance coverage relating to fertility.

Impact

The bill will significantly affect state regulations pertaining to health insurance coverage, specifically in relation to fertility services. By requiring health carriers to include coverage for fertility preservation services, it aims to protect individuals who face the risk of infertility due to medical interventions. This step is expected to promote health equity and support family planning among those impacted by health conditions that threaten reproductive capabilities.

Summary

House Bill 2064, known as the 'Tennessee Strong Families Act', seeks to amend certain provisions of the Tennessee Code Annotated related to insurance coverage for fertility services. The legislation specifically mandates that health carriers provide coverage for standard fertility preservation services for patients identified as having iatrogenic infertility. This includes patients undergoing medical treatments that may impair fertility, such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. The bill enforces that coverage begins on or after January 1, 2025, enabling flexibility for implementation and compliance by health insurance providers.

Contention

While the bill is framed as a measure that supports families and acknowledges the challenges faced by individuals undergoing treatments that jeopardize fertility, there may be points of contention regarding its impact on employer-sponsored health plans since the provisions do not apply to these plans. This limitation might raise concerns about the adequacy of coverage in different insurance contexts, leaving some individuals without necessary support. Moreover, whether health carriers can impose age restrictions on coverage could also spark debate, depending on the interpretation of medical guidelines and fairness in health coverage.