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Committee advances Howe bill limiting AI-only claim denials and requiring insurer ownership disclosures
Summary
House Bill 26-19, described as a 'patient's first' bill, advanced out of subcommittee after an amendment requiring insurer disclosure of ownership of providers; the bill would bar AI-only claim denials and create a Tennessee Commission of Insurance Review for complaints and enforcement.
Chairman Howe presented House Bill 26-19 and an amendment requiring health insurers that own providers to disclose that ownership to patients, the Department of Commerce and Insurance, and a commission created by the legislation.
Howe told the committee the bill "prohibits sending a patient's medical information outside The United States for claim review," bars reliance solely on artificial intelligence to deny or approve claims, and would create an independent Tennessee Commission of Insurance Review to investigate complaints and refer enforcement to the attorney general's office. "A qualified health care provider must review that claim no matter what AI does," Howe said.
The sponsor framed the legislation as addressing transparency, downcoding, notice requirements for contract changes, and reimbursement equity. Howe said it does not prevent insurers from managing costs or eliminate innovation but requires human medical review on claims decisions and a 60‑day notice for contract changes. Committee members heard the explanation, adopted an amendment, and voted 7–0 to send HB 26-19 to full Insurance.
