BHSN for Adults
The Behavioral Health Safety Net (BHSN) provides essential outpatient mental health services to uninsured adult Tennesseans who meet program eligibility criteria through a network of 15 BHSN Community Mental Health Providers. BHSN Providers serve eligible Tennesseans in all 95 counties. In counties without a physical BHSN provider location, services may be provided in a neighboring county, or through telehealth.
Essential BHSN for Adults services include assessment and evaluation, individual, family, and group therapy, psychiatric medication management, labs related to medication management, and pharmacy assistance and coordination. Other BHSN for Adults services that may be available include peer support, psychosocial rehabilitation services, and transportation.
BHSN for Adults does not cover prescriptions. However, through BHSN Pharmacy Assistance Coordination, adults enrolled in BHSN receive assistance in securing medications at a reduced price or at no cost through manufacturer sponsored or other pharmacy assistance programs. BHSN for Adults Providers also help people enroll in CoverRx, a prescription drug program for ages 18-64, administered by the Division of TennCare. CoverRx is designed to assist those who do not have pharmacy coverage but have a need for medication. CoverRx details can be found at this link: TN.gov/tenncare/coverrx.
To Apply for Behavioral Health Safety Net Assistance:
1. Find a provider in your area
2. Make an intake appointment
3. Tell the provider that you wish to apply for the BHSN program
To qualify for the BHSN for Adults program, applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Be eighteen (18) years of age or older
- Be a resident of Tennessee, with no minimum timeframe required
- Be diagnosed with a qualifying mental health diagnosis
- If the person has never received a mental health diagnosis, but believes they need mental health help, the BHSN Provider will assist in determining if there is a qualifying mental health diagnosis.
- Have a household income at or below 138% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL)
- Be a US Citizen, or qualified alien (defined as a non-US citizen residing in Tennessee who is a Permanent Resident of the US, or an asylee, or a refugee, or a non-US citizen residing Tennessee on a conditional visa as defined by state and federal laws)
- Do not have private health insurance, or the private health insurance lacks mental health coverage, or all mental health benefits under the private health insurance have been exhausted for the year
- Be determined ineligible for TennCare – BHSN Provider agency staff can help you apply for TennCare if an application has not previously been submitted prior to applying for BHSN
- Not be in a long-term in-patient or residential facility
Individuals who have Medicare Part B and meet all other eligibility requirements may be eligible for a limited array of BHSN services. BHSN enrollees 65 or older will be treated as having Medicare Part B.
These two groups are eligible for five BHSN services: Case Management, Medication Training and Support, Peer Support, Psychological Rehabilitation Services, and Transportation (to a corresponding BHSN service only).
If an applicant is enrolled in Medicare Part B and has a Medicare Advantage Plan, they may be enrolled in BHSN if all other eligibility requirements are met, provided the Advantage Plan does not cover the approved services noted above, or if the benefits have been exhausted for the year. Active enrollment in either the QMB or SLMB supplements does not disqualify enrollees from receiving BHSN services.
For More Information
If you have concerns or need services for yourself, a child, or family member, contact our Helpline:
Phone: 800-560-5767
Email: OCA.TDMHSAS@tn.gov
Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (except for state holidays)
If you feel at any time that you are experiencing a mental health emergency, please call or text 988 and press 0 to speak to a trained counselor or chat with 988lifeline.org.