March 17, 2020
On March 9, 2020, the Department of Commerce and Insurance issued Bulletin Number 20-02 regarding preparedness measures related to the potential impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19). The bulletin is directed to health carriers writing health insurance or health benefit plan coverage in Tennessee.
The bulletin is issued as part of the state’s response to the spread of the COVID-19 respiratory illness to the United States, including cases in Tennessee. The guidance is intended to assist individuals and entities regulated by the Department in combating the COVID-19 outbreak.
Accordingly, insurers are requested to identify and remove barriers to testing and treatment for COVID-19. The carriers are also requested to review their internal procedures and operations, telehealth delivery of services, network adequacy and out-of-network services to ensure these are capable of handling increased service needs. Additionally, carriers are asked to immediately cover a COVID-19 vaccine at no cost, should one become available.The bulletin is directed at insurers, but employers should be aware of this development.
Bulletin Number 20-02 »