Tennessee Code Title 56. Insurance § 56-7-127

(a) It is the intent of the general assembly that the availability and affordability of basic major medical insurance coverage for a catastrophic illness requiring inpatient hospital care is essential for many Tennesseans who are uninsured.

(b) To that extent, insurance providers in this state are encouraged to develop a plan that provides only major medical insurance coverage for a catastrophic illness requiring inpatient hospital care.

(c) The plans developed under this section are not required to provide the mandated coverage or the mandated offers of coverage required pursuant to part 23, 24, 25, or 26 of this chapter, except to the extent that a specific mandated coverage is essential to the provision of basic health care for the catastrophic illness requiring inpatient hospital care.

(d) Prior to being offered for sale in this state, the plan shall be submitted to the commissioner for approval, modification or disapproval. Upon receipt of approval for the plan by the commissioner, the carrier may use the certified plan until the plan is disapproved by the commissioner.

(e) The commissioner is authorized to promulgate necessary rules and regulations in accordance with the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, compiled in title 4, chapter 5, to implement this section.