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HB 1770

Health Care - As enacted, adds clinical informatics, lifestyle medicine, and medical virtualist to the list of words or abbreviations that a person may attach to a name to indicate or induce another person to believe that the person is engaged in the practice of medicine or osteopathic medicine. - Amends TCA Title 63, Chapter 6 and Title 63, Chapter 9.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Brock Martin

Tennessee bill restricts use of three healthcare-related titles to licensed physicians/osteopaths to prevent unlicensed practice, potentially limiting emerging health professions' ability to describe their services.

Comp. SB subst.
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Bill Summary · HB 1770

Legislative bill overview

HB 1770 expands Tennessee's medical practice regulations to designate "clinical informatics," "lifestyle medicine," and "medical virtualist" as titles that indicate or suggest a person practices medicine or osteopathic medicine. This means individuals using these titles without proper licensure could face legal penalties for unlicensed practice.

Why is this important

As healthcare evolves with technology and wellness-focused approaches, this bill attempts to protect consumers from unlicensed practitioners misrepresenting their credentials. It clarifies regulatory boundaries in emerging healthcare fields, but definitions of these specialties remain contested within the medical community.

Potential points of contention

  • Defining expertise vs. licensure: "Clinical informatics" and "lifestyle medicine" exist as legitimate sub-specialties within licensed medicine; the bill may inadvertently restrict how licensed professionals market their expertise
  • Restrictive scope for emerging fields: "Medical virtualist" is not yet a formally defined specialty, raising questions about whether the bill preemptively blocks legitimate telehealth or technology-based practitioners
  • Consumer access trade-offs: Strict regulations may limit consumer access to evidence-based wellness coaching or health informatics services provided by non-physician credentialed professionals (nurses, health coaches, nutritionists)

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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