Tennessee doctors, hospitals fight denial of substance-use claims

Under Tennessee law, insurers can deny payment of medical claims for trauma victims that come in to the hospital with alcohol or drugs in their system at the time of an accident. Doctors and hospitals argue that this not only costs them money, but also could serve as a disincentive to screening patients for drug and alcohol. Hospitals and doctors say they should be paid when they provide medical care no matter the condition of the accident victim, and Tennessee lawmakers are now reviewing the state's alcohol and drug laws.