Tennessee Medicaid: TennCare

TennCare is the state of Tennessee’s Medicaid program that helps low-income individuals and families with children pay for some or all of their medical bills, including pregnant women and single parents who meet the income eligibility requirements.

Eligible participants receive medical services, including doctor visits, dental care, eyeglasses, home care, hospital care, and additional health-related services.

Unlike traditional fee-for-service Medicaid, TennCare pays health plans (MCOs) a set amount per member, which then covers services like doctor visits, hospitals, and prescriptions.

FAQ

What is the income limit for TennCare in Tennessee?

Tennessee has not adopted Medicaid expansion, leaving many low-income adults in a “coverage gap”. Eligibility for non-disabled adults is generally limited to parents with incomes up to 105% of the poverty level. Children ages 6-18 are covered up to 138% of the poverty level.

TennCare income limits by household size
TennCareHousehold Size	147% Child 1—5	255% Pregnant Women	105% Parents/Relatives
1	$1,955	$3,392	$1,397
2	$2,651	$4,599	$1,894
3	$3,347	$5,806	$2,391
4	$4,043	$7,013	$2,888
5	$4,738	$8,220	$3,385
6	$5,434	$9,427	$3,882
7	$6,130	$10,634	$4,379
8	$6,826	$11,841	$4,876

A 5% disregard based on the federal poverty level (FPL) for the household size may be applied and is reflected in the amounts shown above. Source: Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF).

Tennessee is one of three non-expansion states that provide Medicaid coverage to parents with income at or near the poverty level. The other two states are Georgia and Wisconsin, both of which offer coverage to parents and adults with income up to the federal poverty level.

How do I get Medicaid in Tennessee?

Go to TennCare Connect to apply online or call (855) 259-0701 to apply over the phone. Paper application is also available in both English and Spanish.

Tennessee Bureau of TennCare
TennCare Member Services
(800) 342-3145