Tennessee's State Medicaid Insurance: Who Runs The Show?

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Tennessee's state Medicaid insurance company provides health insurance for around 20% of the state's population. The company, previously known as Amerigroup Community Care, has since changed its name to Wellpoint. Wellpoint offers plans that cater to the physical, social, and emotional needs of its members, including those with special health and budgetary needs. Tennessee's Medicaid program also includes dental benefits for adult members aged 21 and older, as well as coverage for low-income pregnant women, children, and older adults. Additionally, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee offers the BlueCare Plus plan for individuals enrolled in Medicaid and eligible for Medicare, ensuring comprehensive coverage.

Characteristics Values
Name Wellpoint (formerly Amerigroup Community Care)
Website www.wellpoint.com/tn/medicaid
Services TennCare, including dental benefits for adult members aged 21 and older
Additional Coverage Beyond basic Medicaid benefits, including complex rehabilitation technology (CRT) as part of durable medical equipment (DME) benefits
Video Chat 24/7 access to a doctor or therapist at no cost
Financial Assistance Available for Medicare beneficiaries to cover premiums and services not covered by Medicare, such as long-term care

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BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee

For those enrolled in Medicaid and eligible for Medicare, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee offers the BlueCare Plus plan, which provides extra care and coverage. They also offer a range of BlueCare plans and programs to accommodate special health and budgetary needs. Additionally, members can choose from various dental and vision plans to complete their coverage.

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Wellpoint

One of the key benefits of Wellpoint is their coverage of special gear, such as complex rehabilitation technology (CRT), which helps individuals with injuries or disabilities improve their mobility. This coverage is in addition to the basic Medicaid benefits, demonstrating their commitment to comprehensive care. Wellpoint also offers extra coverage beyond the basic Medicaid benefits, such as video chat with a doctor or therapist at no additional cost to members.

TennCare, Tennessee's Medicaid program, offers dental benefits to all TennCare Medicaid adult members ages 21 and older. Wellpoint, as a part of TennCare, also emphasizes the importance of dental care and provides access to dental services for its members. This ensures that individuals can maintain their oral health and overall well-being.

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TennCare

Medicaid plays a crucial role in Tennessee, with approximately 20% of the state's population relying on it for their healthcare needs. Many Medicare beneficiaries in Tennessee receive financial assistance through Medicaid, helping them cover the costs of Medicare premiums and services that Medicare doesn't typically cover, such as long-term care.

Tennessee's Medicaid program, TennCare, is an essential safety net for a significant portion of the state's residents, ensuring they have access to the healthcare services they require. By partnering with organizations like Wellpoint, TennCare strives to provide comprehensive coverage that addresses not only physical health but also the social and emotional well-being of its enrollees.

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BlueCare Plus plan

BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee offers the BlueCare Plus plan for individuals enrolled in Medicaid and eligible for Medicare. BlueCare Plus is a Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan (D-SNP) that helps members with extra care and benefits at no extra cost. This includes allowances for healthy food, over-the-counter items, housing utilities, and transportation to plan-approved locations through Uber Health.

The BlueCare Plus plan offers $0 premiums and can help with the cost of hearing aids, glasses, cold medicine, and more. It also provides coverage for prescription drugs with $0 copays.

BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee is a not-for-profit company that has been providing insurance in the state for over 75 years. They are committed to improving the health and supporting the programs and services that build stronger communities across Tennessee. Their Healthy Places program, for instance, creates public spaces like parks, athletic fields, and playgrounds to keep communities healthy.

If you need help finding the right BlueCare Plus plan for you, you can contact BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee at 1-888-413-9637 (TTY 711) or enrol online.

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Medicaid expansion

Tennessee's Medicaid program, called TennCare, is a federal-state partnership that provides health insurance to many children, low-income pregnant women, and individuals who are elderly or have disabilities. TennCare offers dental benefits to all TennCare Medicaid adult members ages 21 and older. Wellpoint, formerly known as Amerigroup Community Care, is a Medicaid health insurance provider in Tennessee. It offers plans that cater to the social and emotional needs of its members, in addition to their physical health.

However, there have been efforts to expand Medicaid in the state. Legislation introduced in early 2025 would authorize the governor to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Unfortunately, similar bills introduced in previous years did not succeed. Tennessee lawmakers have been in charge of Medicaid expansion decisions since a 2012 Supreme Court ruling, and they have consistently opposed it.

The potential benefits of Medicaid expansion in Tennessee are significant. It is estimated that 150,000 people would gain access to coverage, and the state would save money due to enhanced federal funding. Additionally, Medicaid expansion could improve Tennessee's poor health rankings by increasing healthcare coverage and improving long-term health outcomes. Over 600 studies since 2014 have detailed the positive effects of Medicaid expansion on states that have adopted it, including increased healthcare coverage, reduced costs for hospitals, improved access to care, and better long-term health outcomes.

Furthermore, Medicaid expansion could have positive economic impacts on the state. Tennessee could gain access to additional federal funding, creating a net gain for the state's economy and supporting 15,000 new jobs. Expanding Medicaid coverage would also result in a healthier workforce, benefiting businesses and the state's overall economy.

Frequently asked questions

Tennessee's state Medicaid insurance company is called Wellpoint, formerly known as Amerigroup Community Care.

Wellpoint covers low-income pregnant women and children, people with disabilities, and older adults (65 and over). They also provide long-term services for adults with physical disabilities.

Wellpoint offers extra coverage beyond basic Medicaid benefits. This includes dental benefits for all TennCare Medicaid adult members aged 21 and older, and special gear for people with disabilities to help with mobility. They also offer 24/7 video or phone call appointments with doctors or therapists at no extra cost.

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