NASHVILLE — The Insurance Accountability & Downcoding Reform legislation, SB2155/HB2619, advanced this week after clearing both Senate and House subcommittees, moving the proposal one step closer to a full committee vote.
The bill will now be heard in the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee and the House Insurance Committee, where lawmakers will continue deliberations on measures aimed at addressing downcoding practices by insurance payors.
Supporters of the legislation said the bill seeks to increase transparency and accountability in insurance reimbursement processes, arguing that downcoding can negatively affect physician practices and patient care. The Tennessee Orthopaedic Society has distributed an updated legislative toolkit that includes contact information for members of both committees and is encouraging stakeholders to engage with lawmakers ahead of upcoming hearings. Advocates are urging physicians and supporters to contact their representatives using the prepared toolkit to help advance the measure.
While proponents acknowledged that outreach efforts require significant time and coordination, they emphasized that continued advocacy could prove critical as the bill moves through the legislative process.
If approved in committee, SB2155/HB2619 would advance to the next stage of consideration in the Tennessee General Assembly.