TennCare Healthy Moms & Babies

Becoming a parent comes with a lot of questions! TennCare is here to make things easier with health and social supports to help you and your baby stay healthy before, during, and after birth. This webpage helps you quickly find the help you need:

  1. While you are pregnant: finding a doctor or specialist, rides to appointments, staying healthy
  2. Right after baby is born: enrolling your baby, checkups, food and breastfeeding, diapers
  3. The first year: coverage, dental care, mental health, and help in your community

At every step your health plan can connect you will real people to help with doctors, rides, food, housing, and more. Just call the number on your TennCare card or listed below.

If you need help understanding this information or want it in another format (like large print or another language) call your TennCare health plan.

Visit the TennCare Pregnant page to learn more about:

  • How to get temporary TennCare
  • Income limits for pregnant women who may qualify for TennCare
  • How to complete a full TennCare application

Pregnancy and parenthood can be overwhelming! Your health plan can help you find a care coordinator, nurse or a community health worker. They can help you:

  • Find a doctor or specialist.
  • Schedule and keep up with appointments.
  • Connect you with housing, food, transportation, or other services.

Call the number on the back of your TennCare card and ask about care coordination.

To get started, call the number on the back of your health plan ID card and ask about care coordination.

Don’t let transportation keep you from care! If you need help getting to appointments, TennCare Medicaid members can:

  • Schedule a ride through your health plan’s transportation service.
  • Get paid back for mileage: A friend can get money for gas if they take you to your appointment. Be sure to call your plan’s transportation provider before you go to make sure you can be paid back.
  • Request bus passes in some cities and counties.

To learn more or to schedule a ride, call your health plan’s transportation provider:

  • If your health plan is United Healthcare Community Group:
    • Call TN Carriers at 1-866-405-0238
  • If your health plan is Wellpoint:
    • Call TN Carriers at 1-866-680-0633
  • If your health plan is BlueCare Tennessee:
    • To schedule non-emergency medical transportation – call Verida at 1-855-735-4660
    • To schedule trips to an out-of-state doctor, minor without an escort (in- or out-of-state) – call BlueCare at 1-800-468-9698
  • If your health plan is TennCareSelect:
    • To schedule non-emergency medical transportation – call Verida at 1-866-473-7565
    • To schedule trips to an out-of-state doctor, minor without an escort (in- or out-of-state) – call BlueCare at 1-800-263-5479

You may qualify for a FREE at-home blood pressure cuff during pregnancy and after baby’s birth. This can help you and your doctor monitor your health. To learn more, ask your doctor if a cuff is right for you.

Tennessee’s Pregnancy Tobacco Cessation Program gives parents support and tools to help them stop smoking. Quitting lowers the risk of early birth, low birth weight, and secondhand smoke exposure for your baby.

Visit the Tennessee Community Compass website and Tennessee’s Department of Health (DOH) Pregnancy Smoking Cessation page to learn more.

Ready to quit smoking? TennCare covers prescription and over-the-counter products that can help. To get more information, ask your health plan.

TennCare covers dental care for all members.

  • Call Renaissance at 1‑866‑864‑2526 with questions about your dental benefits or to find a dentist.
  • Or visit the Renaissance “Find a Dentist” page to search for a dentist near you.

To learn more about dental services, go to the TennCare Dental Services webpage

If you’re pregnant and dealing with mental health or substance use challenges, TennCare covers:

  • Counseling and therapy, including postpartum depression support.
  • Substance use treatment, including medication-assisted treatment when appropriate.
  • Care coordination to help you with resources.
  • 24/7 crisis services if you need help now..

Call your TennCare health plan to learn more.

Members who have TennCare Medicaid or CoverKids can get help with breastfeeding. You may hear this called lactation benefits. This help can be in-person or telehealth visits. You can also get individual or small group help.

Do you want to know more about getting help with breastfeeding? Call your health plan for more information.

You can also view additional information on the Tennessee Department of Health’s Breastfeeding For Mothers web page.

Lactation Consultation

Lactation consultants can meet with you before or after your baby is born. They can help you in person or by phone.

Breastfeeding Hotline

The Breastfeeding Hotline is available 24/7 for mothers, families, and providers at 1-855-423-6667.

Designated Breastfeeding Experts (DBE)

A DBE is someone who can help you answer questions or provide support to meet your breastfeeding goals. To find your local DBE, go to the Tennessee Department of Health’s Designated Breastfeeding Expert website.

Additional Resource

TennCare Medicaid covers moms for 12 months after delivery. If you are pregnant and already a TennCare member, update your TennCare Connect account after your baby is born by calling 855-259-0701 or visiting tenncareconnect.tn.gov.

WIC offers nutritious food, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and healthcare referrals. TennCare members qualify.

  • To apply or schedule an appointment, contact your local health department or WIC clinic.
  • To find your local office go to the WIC Clinics webpage.

For more information on the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children go to the Tennessee Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program webpage.

SNAP is a program that helps you buy groceries with an EBT card. As a TennCare member, you may qualify for SNAP. To apply:

  • Online: Submit a SNAP application on the Tennessee Department of Human Services website.
  • Paper: Complete a printed application and upload or mail it to the Tennessee Department of Human Services (DHS).

Need help with housing, food, childcare, or other services? Tennessee Community Compass can help you find trusted organizations near you!

Visit the Tennessee Community Compass webpage and enter your zip code to learn more.

TennCare Medicaid and CoverKids members under the age of 2 may qualify for 100 diapers a month at participating pharmacies.

Find a pharmacy on TennCare's Diaper Webpage.

After your baby arrives, follow the steps outlined in the TennCare Pregnant page. Scroll down to the “When Your Baby is Born” section.