Preparing for Renewals
Information for PartnersBeginning April 1, 2023, TennCare members will begin to go through the state and federally required redetermination process to determine continued eligibility for TennCare. TennCare’s priorities during this time of transition include minimizing gaps in healthcare coverage in an effort to further our mission of improving lives through high-quality, cost-effective care.
Impact of Covid-19 on TennCare
In January 2020, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a Public Health Emergency (PHE) due to the spread of Covid-19 in the United States. During the PHE, the annual renewal process and most Medicaid terminations have been suspended. On December 23, 2022, Congress set April 1, 2023 as the end of the continuous enrollment requirement and the beginning of Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program, or CHIP, renewals. State and federal law will require TennCare to resume the renewal process.
TennCare is planning and preparing so those eligible for TennCare and CoverKids can renew their coverage as easily as possible. Renewals, also called redeterminations or recertifications, are required by the federal government to check whether TennCare and CoverKids members are still eligible or if their coverage should be changed. Renewals usually occur every year to ensure members meet the eligibility rules so that TennCare can continue to serve Tennesseans eligible under the law. While this is a normal activity, all Medicaid agencies have significantly increased the number of people enrolled since the pandemic began without redetermining eligibility for most enrollees.
To ensure that all eligible TennCare and CoverKids members will not risk a gap in coverage, TennCare has been planning and preparing for the eventual continuation of renewals.
See TennCare Director Stephen Smith's January 2023 presentation to the legislature for more information.
TennCare Unwinding Plan
As we prepare for the renewal process, we want to keep our members informed to prevent a gap in their healthcare coverage. We are working with our health plans (Managed Care Organizations), community partners, and TennCare providers to ensure that members receive accurate information during this time. Our approach is informed by Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) guidance.
TennCare’s PHE unwinding will consist of four phases: Phase I (Plan), Phase II (Educate), Phase III (Renew), Phase IV (Transition).
The unwinding of the federal Medicaid continuous coverage requirement requires a coordinated phased communications plan to reach members with messages across multiple channels using trusted sources. You can help in the following ways:
- Stay informed: Join our email list to get the latest information on what phase we are in and the most up-to-date content.
- Get the word out: Download the latest toolkit and help us spread the word.
TennCare's Current Phase: Phase III
Members will begin to get letters in the mail. As federally required, Tennessee plans on completing all renewals within a 12-month period and will begin each monthly cycle with an attempt to auto-renew members using existing data sources, including SNAP eligibility. Those who can be auto-renewed will not be required to submit a renewal packet.
Learn More About Each Phase
Phase I: Plan
Phase I encourages members to provide updated contact information, including their name, mailing address, phone number, and email address. Updating contact information will help members stay informed and receive important information about keeping their TennCare and CoverKids benefits.
Phase II: Educate
TennCare will be in Phase II until April 1, 2023, when renewals begin. In this Phase, TennCare will increase public communication to alert members that renewals will begin soon.
Phase III: Renew
As TennCare enters Phase III, members will begin to get letters in the mail. As federally required, Tennessee plans on completing all renewals within a 12-month period and will begin each monthly cycle with an attempt to auto-renew members using existing data sources, including SNAP eligibility. Those who can be auto-renewed will not be required to submit a renewal form.
Phase IV: Transition
For the final Phase of redetermination, TennCare will work to make sure that all eligible TennCare members maintain coverage. TennCare will electronically transfer data to the federal Health Insurance Marketplace automatically for individuals determined ineligible for TennCare.