House Bill 651 aims to enhance healthcare access and quality for TennCare enrollees by addressing payment disparities and establishing standards for healthcare provider networks. The bill mandates that the Bureau of TennCare develop a comprehensive plan within the next twelve months to improve provider payment rates, outreach, telehealth services, and administrative processes. Additionally, it prohibits health insurance entities and managed care organizations (MCOs) from including "all-products clauses" in network provider agreements, which would require providers to participate in multiple networks or plans as a condition of their participation. Violations of this provision will incur a civil penalty of $10,000 for each occurrence.

Furthermore, the bill introduces the "TennCare Provider Remedy Plan," which establishes appointment wait time standards and mandates regular secret shopper surveys to assess compliance with these standards and the accuracy of provider directories. The Bureau of TennCare is tasked with developing network adequacy standards and remediation plans for any identified deficiencies, which must be submitted to the General Assembly for approval. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and includes provisions for the promulgation of rules to enforce its measures by July 1, 2026.