Senate committee advances bill to let pharmacists prescribe after certain tests, prompting pushback from physicians The Health and Welfare Committee approved an amended measure to let pharmacists issue prescriptions in narrow situations — for existing diagnoses, minor self‑limiting conditions or after CLIA‑waived tests — with supporters citing rural access and opponents warning of risks to clinical oversight.

Tennessee's Senate is making waves by allowing pharmacists to prescribe medications for certain conditions, but is it putting patient safety at risk?

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#TN #AccessToCare #CitizenPortal #RuralHealth #PharmacistPrescribing #TennesseePharmacy

Committee holds over PBM ownership restriction bill after witnesses outline large, uncertain fiscal effects Senate Bill 2040, which would prohibit common ownership of pharmacies and PBMs/insurers above a 5% threshold, prompted competing fiscal estimates: TennCare and the Department of Finance projected multi‑million-dollar costs while Fiscal Review disputed key assumptions. Committee agreed to hold the bill for further review.

Senate Bill 2040 could reshape Tennessee's pharmacy landscape, but conflicting estimates on its financial impact leave many questions unanswered.

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#TN #PharmacyOwnership #CitizenPortal #FiscalTransparency #TennesseePharmacy #HealthCareReform

TennCare updates pharmacy and IT contracts, including a timing change for OptumRx to avoid January implementation conflicts TennCare leaders briefed the Fiscal Review Committee on multiple contract amendments and renewals affecting pharmacy benefits, provider-data services and IT modernization. Notable items included a request to shift the OptumRx contract cycle by three months to avoid simultaneous implementation with federal pharmacy updates.

TennCare is making crucial updates to its pharmacy and IT contracts, including a strategic timing shift for OptumRx to ensure seamless service for members amid federal changes.

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#TN #ITInnovation #CitizenPortal #HealthcareAccess #TennesseePharmacy #MedicaidModernization

Tennessee General Assembly passes Senate Bill 881 regulating pharmacy benefits managers Tennessee amends pharmacy benefits manager regulations to ensure timely health insurance reimbursements

Tennessee's new Senate Bill 881 is set to revolutionize pharmacy benefits management, ensuring that health insurance reimbursements are timely and efficient for all residents.

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#TN #CitizenPortal #TennesseePharmacy #InsuranceRegulations #HealthCareReform #TimelyReimbursements

Commissioner enforces oversight on pharmacy benefits managers' compliance issues Commissioner implements penalties and hearing processes for pharmacy benefits managers' violations

Tennessee's new House Bill 1244 could reshape the future of pharmacy benefits managers by enforcing transparency and accountability—will it be a win for consumers or a burden for businesses?

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#TN #ConsumerProtection #TennesseePharmacy #TransparencyAccountability

Governor appoints new member to Board of Pharmacy amid budget concerns Board of Pharmacy faces scrutiny over $4.2 million expenditures and investigation processes

The Board of Pharmacy is under fire for its staggering $4.2 million expenditures and the scrutiny surrounding its investigation processes.

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#TN #TennesseePharmacy #HealthRegulations #GovernmentTransparency #PublicEngagement #CitizenPortal