The Tennessee Bar Association Travel Discount Program offers travel discount service to TBA members. Savings average 10-20% below market on all hotels and car rental suppliers around the world. Save time and money. To access this service, make sure you are logged in to your TBA member account first, then explore any hotel, any car, anywhere, anytime.

A federal judge recently ruled in favor of Tennessee plaintiffs terminated from Medicaid who sued the state for failures in its eligibility processes. The lawsuit, A.M.C. v. Stephen Smith, contests the policies and practices of TennCare that “unlawfully deprive eligible children and adults of vitally necessary medical care” through “a defective process for the periodic reevaluation of the eligibility of individuals enrolled in TennCare,” among other claims. Federal District Court Judge Waverly D. Crenshaw said in his decision: "Poor, disabled and otherwise disadvantaged Tennesseans should not require luck, perseverance or zealous lawyering to receive health care benefits they are entitled to under the law.” Crenshaw maintains that while the organization’s leadership and frontlines "do admirable, diligent work,” organizations as large as TennCare can be “unwieldy, and, when improperly handled, have dire consequences for those they effect.” Clarence Carter, commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Human Services said regarding the case, “There is always going to be a need for a rich, robust, efficient, effective safety net … It just ought to be catching people like a trampoline, not a hammock.” Tennessee remains one of 10 states yet to accept federal Medicaid expansion, leaving more than an estimated $2 billion in federal funding on the table. Crenshaw has ordered that the plaintiffs and state attempt mediation prior to the judge addressing the plaintiffs’ claims for relief. The Tennessee Lookout has more.

TBA’s 24th Annual Health Law Primer will take place Oct. 16 at the Nashville office of Bass Berry & Sims. This introductory seminar features a general health law overview provided by experienced health care leaders. Topics at this year’s primer include an introduction to the U.S. health care system, fraud and abuse, physician and provider licensure, contracting, and more. Lunch will be provided with a reception following presentations. Learn more about the primer here.

The 36th Annual TBA Health Law Forum will feature keynote presenter David Higginson, executive vice president and chief innovation officer at Phoenix Children’s Hospital, who will discuss AI essentials for health care leaders. Higginson’s presentation will provide a layman’s overview of AI, strategic advantages of implementation in medicine and its expected trajectory over the next two to five years. Higginson has more than 25 years of experience in health care technology and has driven significant innovation and advancements within Phoenix Children's Hospital during his tenure. Other topics at the forum include regulatory fraud and abuse, private equity, digital health, cyber security, enrollment issues, payer disputes, ethics and more. View the agenda and register here.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee announced three judicial appointments last week. Adrienne Waters Ogle, a partner at Ogle McCarter and a magistrate on the Sevier County Juvenile Court, has been named to the 4th Judicial District Circuit Court. The court serves Cocke, Grainger, Jefferson and Sevier counties. Kimberly Lund has been named to the 19th Judicial District Chancery Court, which serves Montgomery and Robertson counties. She currently serves as an assistant district attorney in the district. The governor selected Lund after fewer than three lawyers applied for the vacancy. Finally, Joshua Turnbow has been named to the 23rd Judicial District Circuit Court. He currently is an assistant district attorney in the district, which serves Cheatham, Dickson, Houston, Humphreys and Stewart counties. All three seats are new judicial positions created by the General Assembly during the last session. Read more about new jurists in a release from the governor's office.

The TBA’s 2024 Environmental Forum will take place in person on Nov. 15 in Nashville. This year’s program will address topics such as endangered species litigation, underground storage tanks, drinking water, the Chevron decision, brownfields, ethics and more. Breakfast and lunch will be included. Watch for more information coming soon.

Depending on your current practice management and accounting programs, you may be set no matter what changes happen to your firm from a revenue, staffing or practice area perspective. Some products can grow with you; others, not so much. If you’ve decided to change practice management or accounting programs, review this checklist to ensure a quality data conversion from your existing system to the new one. Find this and more in the Practice Management section of TBA’s Law Practice Management Center.

Experience convenient health care with the TBA Telehealth Benefit Program. Enjoy 24/7 access to healthcare services without leaving your home or office. For just $6.95 per month, you and your immediate family can skip the waiting room for common health issues. Watch this video for more details.

Great news! As a solo attorney, you are eligible for the TBA health insurance plan if you have at least one W-2 employee working 30+ hours per week. You could potentially benefit from substantial savings compared to your current rates. The plan offers guaranteed issue coverage with no health questions and no pre-existing condition exclusions. Additionally, it includes a $15,000 life insurance policy for each employee enrolled in the health plan. Check out rates here.

Open enrollment has begun for TBA’s BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee health plan, an affordable and high-quality association group insurance plan. This exclusive TBA plan is guaranteed issue, with no health questions and no pre-existing condition exclusions. Additionally, the plan includes a $15,000 life insurance policy for each enrolled employee. Don’t delay – get a quote today! Open enrollment ends on Dec. 13.