Tennessee House Committee approves bill to expedite lab results and update health APIs

The Tennessee House Insurance Committee convened on April 8, 2025, to discuss House Bill 0869, which aims to amend previous legislation regarding electronic health records. This bill addresses significant concerns raised by constituents about delays in receiving lab results, a problem that arose from a law passed last year.

The key change proposed in House Bill 0869 is the repeal of a 72-hour hold on certain lab tests. This hold had inadvertently caused a backlog in lab results, affecting patients across the state. By eliminating this requirement, the bill seeks to ensure that Tennesseans receive their lab results promptly, improving overall healthcare delivery.

Additionally, the bill revises the timeline for insurance companies to develop an application programming interface (API) that facilitates access to health information for patients and providers. The original deadline was deemed unfeasible, and the new timeline aligns with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) guidelines, extending the deadline to 2027.

The committee unanimously approved the bill, with 14 votes in favor and none against, signaling strong bipartisan support for these necessary adjustments. The swift passage of House Bill 0869 reflects a commitment to enhancing healthcare efficiency and responsiveness in Tennessee, directly benefiting residents who rely on timely medical information.

As the committee concluded its session, there were no additional matters to address, indicating a focused effort on improving health record management in the state. The next steps will involve monitoring the implementation of these changes to ensure they meet the needs of the community effectively.