House Bill 1956, also known as Senate Bill 2081, amends various sections of the Tennessee Code Annotated to modify regulations surrounding step therapy protocols for cancer treatment. The bill broadens the definition of cancer treatment by replacing the specific terms "stage 4 advanced metastatic cancer, metastatic blood cancer, or treatment of such cancers" with the more general "cancer or the treatment of cancer." Additionally, it removes subdivision (10) from Section 56-7-3501 and makes several amendments to Section 56-7-3502, which eliminate references to "stage 4 advanced metastatic cancer" and "metastatic blood" in multiple subdivisions.

The key change in the bill is that health benefit plans providing coverage for cancer and associated conditions will no longer be allowed to impose step therapy protocols before covering an approved prescription drug for enrollees diagnosed with cancer. This change aims to streamline access to necessary medications for cancer patients. The bill is set to take effect on January 1, 2027, and will apply to policies or agreements entered into, renewed, or amended on or after that date. The commissioners of commerce and insurance and health are authorized to promulgate rules to implement the provisions of this act.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 56-7-3501(1), 56-7-3501, 56-7-3502(h)(1), 56-7-3502, 56-7-3502(h)(2), 56-7-3502(h)(5), 56-7-3502(h)(6)