2019 Tennessee Code
Title 47 - Commercial Instruments and Transactions
Chapter 18 - Consumer Protection
Part 1 - Consumer Protection Act of 1977
§ 47-18-132. Billing for special healthcare service or costs of supplies, equipment, or other services provided by a healthcare facility.
(a) As used in this section:
(1) “Healthcare facility” means a hospital licensed under title 33 or 68;
(2) “Healthcare provider” or “provider” means a physician or other healthcare practitioner licensed or certified under title 63 to perform specialty healthcare services consistent with their scope of practice under state law; and
(3) “Specialty healthcare service” means anesthesia, pathology, radiology, and emergency services.
(b) A hospital shall not include in any billing statement to a patient any language that indicates or implies that a charge is for a specialty healthcare service that was rendered by a healthcare provider unless:
(1) The charge is described in a manner that provides the patient with sufficient information to identify the healthcare provider or the specialty healthcare service rendered; and
(2)
(A) The costs of any supplies, equipment, or other services rendered to the patient by or at the hospital are excluded from the amount charged for the healthcare provider or the specialty healthcare service rendered; or
(B) The billing statement includes language or is accompanied by a notice to inform the patient that billed amounts for services do not include charges for healthcare providers who are not employed by the healthcare facility, including anesthesiologists, emergency physicians, pathologists, and radiologists.
(c) If a healthcare provider includes a charge in a billing statement to a patient for the costs of any supplies, equipment, or other services provided by a healthcare facility, then the healthcare provider shall include with the billing statement language or an accompanying notice to inform the patient that those charges are included.
(d) A violation of subsection (b) or (c) constitutes a violation of this part as an unfair or deceptive act or practice affecting the conduct of trade or commerce and is subject to the penalties and remedies as provided by this part. Each act in violation of subsection (b) or (c) constitutes a separate violation of this part.
