Eligibility and enrollment in Tennessee Medicaid

Am I eligible for Medicaid in Tennessee?

 

TennCare is the name of Tennessee’s Medicaid program. It helps qualified residents get access to affordable health insurance. To get TennCare, you must meet certain income and resource limits. These limits are different for each group of people who qualify.

 

TennCare

 

You may be eligible if you have limited income and are:

 

Under age 21

 

A pregnant woman

 

Parents or caretakers of a minor child (The child must live with you and be a close relative.)

 

Undergoing treatment for breast or cervical cancer

 

Receiving an SSI check (Supplemental Security Income)

 

Living in a nursing home

 

Living with a disability

 

CHOICES

 

You may be eligible if:

 

You need the level of care provided in a nursing home; AND

 

Qualify for Medicaid long-term services and supports

 

To learn how else you might qualify, visit TennCare’s CHOICES page.

 

Employment and Community First CHOICES

 

You may be eligible if:

 

You have an intellectual or developmental disability; AND

 

Qualify financially to get TennCare

 

CoverKids

 

Families who meet these requirements are eligible for CoverKids:

 

Your child is younger than age 19.

 

Neither you nor your child is eligible for TennCare Medicaid.

 

Your household income is at or below 250% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).

 

You meet all non-financial eligibility requirement, such as being a U.S citizen or qualified non-citizen.

 

Once your child is enrolled in CoverKids, they will receive 12 months of benefits. CoverKids will not re-examine eligibility, even if your family’s income changes during the year.

 

New moms stay with the CoverKids program for 60 days after they give birth.

How do I enroll in TennCare?

 

If you meet the eligibility requirements, you can enroll at any time. Simply follow these steps:

 

 

1. Gather important information

 

When you’re ready to apply, make sure you have the following information at hand:

 

Names, birth dates and Social Security numbers

 

Most recent federal tax information (if available)

 

Pay stubs or other job and income information for the last month

 

Current health insurance information, if any

 

Other income like unemployment benefits, SSI benefits, pensions or retirement, alimony, etc.

 

 

2. Apply for TennCare

 

Apply for TennCare through TennCare Connect. There are several ways you can apply:

 

Go online to TennCare Connect.

 

Call 855-259-0701 to apply over the phone.

 

Download a paper application in English or Spanish.

 

Visit your local Department of Human Services (DHS) office.

 

 

3. Choose Wellpoint as your health plan

 

Once you’re approved, Tennessee Medicaid will send you a welcome packet in the mail with the name of your assigned health plan. If you’re not with Wellpoint, you can change your health plan. Visit TennCare’s How Do I Change My Health Plan page for information on how and when to change.

Enrolling in CHOICES and Employment and Community First CHOICES

 

If you have TennCare and are interested in the CHOICES or Employment and Community First CHOICES program, call us at 866-840-4991 (TRS 711). We’ll ask you a few questions over the phone to help find out if you might qualify.

 

If you don't have TennCare, and are interested in CHOICES, contact your local Area Agency on Aging and Disability (AAAD) toll free at 866-836-6678. Even if you don't qualify for Medicaid, they can tell you about other programs that may help.

 

If you don't have TennCare, and are interested in Employment and Community First CHOICES, call the Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (DIDD) toll free at 800-654-4839.

Keep your address up-to-date with TennCare

 

If TennCare has the wrong address, you might miss the information you need. Update your address by calling 855-259-0701.