Tenn. Code Ann. § 56-29-101: Purpose of chapter

The purpose of this chapter is as described in this section, and it is the intention of this chapter to provide for the organization and operation of nonprofit hospital service corporations. However, it is not to be construed as prohibiting any insurance company properly qualified in this state to write accident, health or disability insurance to make available any plan of hospitalization that may be approved by the commissioner under other chapters of this code or within the authority granted in this chapter in the same manner and in the same means as granted to benevolent associations. Further, nothing in this chapter shall be construed as either granting to hospitals the authority to practice medicine or the authority to collect medical fees for physicians who serve on the hospital staff.