Jane Dotson
If you are a Tennessee resident without medical insurance, there are several options for obtaining medical assistance. Tennessee uses the federally-run insurance marketplace, so you can begin the application process through HealthCare.gov or use their call center at 1-800-318-2596. You can also go to any of the state's 95 Department of Human Services offices to apply in person. Tennessee's Medicaid program, TennCare, provides health care insurance to low-income children, pregnant women, parents or caretakers of minor children, the elderly, and people with disabilities. If you are uninsured or underinsured, Health Assist at Family and Children's Service can provide information and referrals to low-cost community services and state and federally-funded insurance programs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the state-funded Medicaid program in Tennessee | TennCare |
| Who is eligible for TennCare? | Low-income children, pregnant women, parents or caretakers of minor children, the elderly, and people with disabilities |
| How to apply for TennCare? | Apply online via TennCare Connect, over the phone, by mail, or fax |
| Phone number for TennCare Connect | 855-259-0701 |
| Mailing address for TennCare Connect | TennCare Connect P.O. Box 305240 Nashville, TN 37230-5240 |
| Fax number | 1-855-315-0669 |
| Other options for medical assistance in Tennessee | Get Covered Tennessee, Health Insurance Marketplace, local health department clinics, Dental Care for Tennesseans |
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What You'll Learn
- TennCare: Tennessee's Medicaid program for low-income families and individuals with disabilities
- Health Insurance Marketplace: A federal program offering healthcare options for uninsured individuals
- Health Assist: A service providing information and referrals to low-cost community healthcare services
- Dental Care for Tennesseans: A resource for finding dental and health clinics across the state
- County Health Department Services: Local health departments offering primary and dental care on a sliding fee scale
TennCare: Tennessee's Medicaid program for low-income families and individuals with disabilities
TennCare is Tennessee's Medicaid program. It is designed to provide health care insurance to low-income children, pregnant women, parents or caretakers of minor children, the elderly, and people with disabilities. Enrollment in TennCare is year-round, and there is no need to wait for an open enrollment period if you are eligible for Medicaid. You can enroll online via TennCare Connect, or by mailing or faxing a paper application.
To apply for TennCare, you will need to provide information about the people in your household, your income, and your expenses. If you need help with the application process, you can contact your local Department of Human Services (DHS) office or TennCare Connect at 855-259-0701. If you have a disability, you can also contact your local Area Agency on Aging and Disability (AAAD) for assistance. They can even come to your house to help you apply.
If you do not qualify for TennCare, there are other healthcare options available through the Health Insurance Marketplace at healthcare.gov or by calling 800-318-2596. Some locations also offer primary health care and dental care on a sliding fee scale based on income. You can find local health department clinics through the County Health Department Services webpage, and the Dental Care for Tennesseans webpage has a map of dental and health clinics across the state.
Additionally, if you have resources that are too high to qualify for TennCare Medicaid, you may be able to get temporary coverage through Conditional Assistance. This option is available for those who do not qualify for Medicaid but need assistance with their health insurance needs.
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Health Insurance Marketplace: A federal program offering healthcare options for uninsured individuals
If you are uninsured in Tennessee, you can explore the Health Insurance Marketplace, a federal program that offers healthcare options for individuals without insurance. The Marketplace is designed to provide affordable health insurance plans for those who do not have access to employer-sponsored coverage or qualify for other government programs like Medicaid or Medicare.
Tennessee uses the federally-facilitated health insurance exchange (Marketplace), HealthCare.gov, where residents can purchase ACA Marketplace plans. The Tennessee Marketplace offers health insurance products from multiple private insurers, although plan availability may vary across the state. When enrolling through the Marketplace, individuals may be eligible for financial assistance, including premium subsidies and cost-sharing reductions, to help reduce the monthly cost of coverage and out-of-pocket expenses.
To be eligible for Marketplace plans in Tennessee, individuals must meet certain criteria. Firstly, they should not have access to affordable employer-sponsored health insurance. Secondly, they should not be eligible for Medicaid, CHIP, or premium-free Medicare Part A. Additionally, individuals should not be claimed as a tax dependent by someone else. For married individuals, filing a joint tax return with their spouse is typically required.
The open enrollment period for individual and family health coverage in Tennessee typically runs from November 1 to January 15. To have coverage start on January 1, applications must be submitted by December 15. Applications received between December 16 and January 15 will result in coverage beginning on February 1. Outside of the open enrollment period, a special enrollment period may be triggered by specific qualifying life events, allowing individuals to enroll or make changes to their coverage.
For those who do not qualify for TennCare, Tennessee's Medicaid program, or other forms of insurance, the Health Insurance Marketplace provides an alternative route to obtaining healthcare coverage. By visiting HealthCare.gov or seeking assistance from organizations like Get Covered Tennessee, individuals can explore their coverage options, navigate the enrollment process, and potentially access financial support to obtain the healthcare services they need.
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Health Assist: A service providing information and referrals to low-cost community healthcare services
If you are looking for low-cost community healthcare services in Tennessee, Health Assist is here to help. Health Assist is a service that provides information and referrals to affordable healthcare options in your area. Our team of experts can help you navigate the often confusing world of health insurance and find the coverage that best suits your needs.
Tennessee's Medicaid program, TennCare, is a great option for low-income families, children, pregnant women, parents or caretakers of minor children, the elderly, and people with disabilities. Even if you do not qualify for TennCare, there are other options available through the Health Insurance Marketplace at healthcare.gov or by calling 800-318-2596. You can also find local health department clinics that offer primary and dental care on a sliding fee scale based on your income. The Dental Care for Tennesseans webpage is a helpful resource that lists dental and health clinics across the state, connecting families to affordable dental care.
If you need assistance with your health insurance needs, Get Covered Tennessee can help. Our experts can guide you through the different coverage options and help you enrol in the plan that best meets your needs. You can also contact your local Area Agency on Aging and Disability (AAAD) by calling 1-866-836-6678. They can provide information on other programs that may assist you, even if you do not qualify for Medicaid. If you have a disability, they can even come to your house to help you apply for TennCare.
Additionally, you can call TennCare Connect at 855-259-0701 for help over the phone or visit one of Tennessee's 95 Department of Human Services (DHS) offices to apply in person. When applying for coverage, be prepared to answer questions about your household, income, and expenses. Providing as much information as possible will help speed up the process and get you a decision faster. Remember, you can enrol in TennCare at any time during the year if you are eligible for Medicaid, and there is no need to wait for an open enrolment period.
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Dental Care for Tennesseans: A resource for finding dental and health clinics across the state
If you are looking for dental care in Tennessee and are uninsured, there are a number of resources and clinics that can help. Firstly, it is important to understand what services are available through state-funded programs. TennCare is Tennessee's Medicaid program, which provides health care insurance to low-income children, pregnant women, parents or caretakers of minor children, the elderly, and people with disabilities. Since January 1, 2023, TennCare has covered dental services for all adults enrolled in the program, including those in nursing facilities. These services include regular exams, x-rays, cleanings, fillings, crowns, and more. To find out more about TennCare eligibility and how to enroll, visit the official TennCare website or contact Get Covered Tennessee for assistance with your health insurance needs.
If you do not qualify for TennCare, there are still other options for affordable or free dental care in Tennessee. The Dental Care for Tennesseans webpage is a great resource, offering a map that lists dental and health clinics across the state. These clinics help connect families to dental care, with services offered on a sliding fee scale based on income. One such clinic is Interfaith Dental, which has locations in Nashville and Murfreesboro. Interfaith Dental serves the elderly, uninsured, and working poor, with patients paying on a sliding fee scale, typically around 20% of the market cost.
In addition to these permanent clinics, there are also pop-up missions and temporary clinics that offer free or reduced-cost dental services. For example, Dr. David Roach hosts an annual "Dentistry from the Heart" day, providing one free service (filling, cleaning, or extraction) to the first 100 patients. There is also the Community Medical Clinic, a three-day event held every fall in downtown Nashville, offering free medical and dental services, including x-rays, cleanings, fillings, and extractions.
By utilizing these resources and clinics, uninsured Tennesseans can access the dental care they need, ensuring that cost is not a barrier to maintaining their oral health. For specific clinic locations and further information on eligibility for state-funded programs, be sure to visit the websites and contact the organizations mentioned above.
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County Health Department Services: Local health departments offering primary and dental care on a sliding fee scale
If you are uninsured and live in Tennessee, there are several options for obtaining medical assistance. One option is to visit the County Health Department Services website to find a local health department clinic that offers primary health care and dental care on a sliding fee scale. These clinics provide services based on your income, and you can find a list of clinics across Tennessee on the Dental Care for Tennesseans web page.
For example, in Nashville, the Metro Health Department operates three public health care preventive centers that offer a variety of preventive health services to citizens of Davidson County on a sliding fee scale. The Project Access Nashville provider network, also in Davidson County, offers primary care services to the uninsured, including disease management, treatment of acute episodic conditions, and access to pharmacy services.
Additionally, Community Health Centers or Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) are community-based organizations that provide comprehensive primary care and preventative care, including health, oral, and mental health/substance abuse services. These centers serve all uninsured and underinsured individuals regardless of their ability to pay and charge for services based on a sliding scale that is based on household income.
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Frequently asked questions
Tennessee uses the federally-run insurance marketplace, so you can start the application process through HealthCare.gov or use their call center at 1-800-318-2596. You can also go to any of the state's 95 Department of Human Services offices to apply in person.
TennCare is the state of Tennessee's Medicaid program. It provides health care insurance to low-income children, pregnant women, parents or caretakers of minor children, the elderly, and people with disabilities.
To find out if you're eligible for TennCare, you can go to the Categories web page or contact a Health Assist Specialist at Family and Children's Service.
If you don't qualify for TennCare, there are other healthcare options available through the Health Insurance Marketplace. You can also find a local health department clinic that offers services on a sliding fee scale based on income.
Health Assist Specialists can provide information and eligibility counseling for state and federally-funded insurance programs, assist with needs not covered by insurance, and provide insurance counseling for comparing Advantage Plans and traditional Medicare.
