Tennessee Code Title 71. Welfare § 71-2-602

(a) The bureau shall authorize an additional PACE program as a pilot in one (1) of the two (2) grand divisions where a PACE program did not exist in 2024.

(b) A prospective PACE applicant for the pilot program shall submit a letter of intent to the bureau indicating the prospective applicant's intent to submit a PACE application.  The letter of intent must identify:

(c) The director shall ensure PACE applicants meet the program eligibility criteria under 42 CFR Part 460 and certify that applicants are qualified to be PACE providers in the proposed geographic service area.

(d) PACE applicants shall submit a market analysis of the proposed service area, which must include:

(e) The director shall ensure that managed care organizations and all appropriate options counseling entities consider the availability of the PACE program when considering whether to refer a recipient to a nursing facility or other long-term care facility and establish protocols for the referral of eligible persons to the PACE program.

(f) The bureau shall ensure all PACE programs and organizations meet the quality and performance standards established by CMS and the bureau.  The bureau shall oversee and monitor the PACE programs and organizations based upon data and reports that must be periodically submitted by PACE organizations to CMS and the bureau.

(g) On or before January 1, 2026, and on or before January 1 each year thereafter, the bureau shall provide a PACE program report to the speaker of the house of representatives, speaker of the senate, chair of the finance, ways, and means committee of the senate, and chair of the committee of the house of representatives having jurisdiction over finance-related matters.

(h) The director is authorized to promulgate rules to effectuate this part.  The rules must be promulgated in accordance with the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, compiled in title 4, chapter 5.