Tennessee Senate Bill SB2010

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/22/26

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 8, Chapter 27; Title 56 and Title 71, relative to health insurance.

Impact

The implications of SB2010 on state law are significant, as it seeks to enhance the accountability of health insurance entities when leveraging AI technologies. By mandating that any denial of healthcare services based on medical necessity can only be made following a review by a licensed healthcare professional, the bill reinforces the essential role of human judgement in clinical evaluations. This regulatory measure is intended to protect patients from automated decisions potentially leading to unjustified treatment denials, thus promoting patient rights and healthcare quality in Tennessee.

Summary

Senate Bill 2010, titled the 'Regulate Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Health Care Act', aims to amend various sections of the Tennessee Code to introduce regulations regarding the use of artificial intelligence in the healthcare sector. Specifically, it establishes guidelines for health insurance issuers that utilize AI-based systems for decision-making processes related to healthcare service approvals. The bill emphasizes the need for human oversight in medical decision-making to safeguard patient interests and ensure that denials or modifications of healthcare services are justified by licensed healthcare professionals.

Contention

While supporters of the bill argue that it is necessary to prevent biases and errors inherent in AI systems in healthcare, critics express concerns about the operational impact on health insurance companies, positing that it could create burdensome oversight requirements. Additionally, the enforcement mechanisms outlined in the bill, which recognize violations as unfair claims practices subject to legal actions, may lead to increased litigation. The balance between technological advancement and patient protection remains a pivotal point of debate within legislative discussions surrounding SB2010.