In general, in Tennessee it is against the law to sell or market information relating to the physical or mental health of a patient by any network that provides health benefits.  However, such networks may release information if it is for research purposes, so long as the information does not readily identify the patient, or if the information is for case, disease or health management, drug utilization or quality review or outcomes research, and is released to an appropriate third party.1

        Additionally, the state may authorize the disclosure of vital records for research purposes, such as birth and death certificates,2 as well as the disclosure of information from the birth defects registry.3  Information the state receives from the required reporting of cancer cases must remain confidential unless used for research purposes, and only if researchers provide certain guarantees to preserve confidentiality during and after the research.4  Finally, the state may release information from registries regarding brain trauma5 and sexually transmitted diseases6 for certain research purposes as well.