AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 8; Title 56; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71, relative to speech therapy.
If enacted, the bill would have a significant impact on the landscape of healthcare coverage in Tennessee. Starting from July 1, 2025, health benefit plans would be mandated to provide speech therapy coverage without imposing any annual limits on the number of visits to a speech-language pathologist. Additionally, it would prohibit insurance companies from applying utilization management tactics such as prior authorization or medical necessity determinations on these services, thus broadening access to necessary therapies for individuals affected by stuttering.
House Bill 0296 aims to amend various titles of the Tennessee Code Annotated to ensure comprehensive coverage for speech therapy related to stuttering under health benefit plans. It stipulates that any health insurance plan that offers habilitative or rehabilitative services must include coverage for speech therapy as a necessary treatment for stuttering. This includes coverage for both developmental and non-developmental forms of stuttering, making no distinctions based on the classification of the condition.
Debate surrounding HB 0296 has focused primarily on its implications for healthcare equity and accessibility. Proponents claim that the bill is a step towards improving health outcomes for patients with speech disorders by providing them with the necessary treatments without financial barriers. Critics, however, raise concerns about the potential for increased costs to insurance providers and how that may translate into higher premiums for policyholders. There are also apprehensions regarding the adequacy of telehealth provisions included in the bill, particularly in ensuring that remote services are as effective as in-person therapy.