TennCare Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

If you have general TennCare questions, this page can help you. Use the dropdown sections below to find answers to your questions.

Do I get a TennCare card?

  • Once you are approved for TennCare, you will receive an insurance card from one of our health plans: UnitedHealthcare, BlueCare, or Wellpoint. You will also get a separate pharmacy card from OptumRx. For dental services, you must show your health plan insurance card to your dentist.
  • If you need a replacement insurance card, please contact your TennCare health plan or OptumRx.

Who is eligible for TennCare?

To qualify for TennCare, you must:

1. Fit into an eligibility category; AND

a. Children

b. Pregnant Women

c. Parents or Caretaker Relatives

d. Deemed Newborns

e. Medically Needy Child

f. Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

g. Institutionalized Individuals

h. Individuals with Breast or Cervical Cancer

i. TennCare Standard

j. Medicare Cost Sharing programs

i. Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries (QMB)

ii. Specified Low Income Medicare Beneficiaries (SLMB)

iii. Qualifying Individuals (QI-1)

 iv. Qualified Disabled Working Individuals (QDWI)

Visit the TennCare Categories page to learn more.

2. Meet income requirements; AND,

  • The amount of income you can have depends on your family size and the eligibility category you qualify for.
  • For example, for a family of three, a pregnant woman may qualify for TennCare if her family income is less than $66,625.
  • You must also meet certain resource or asset limits to qualify for some types of TennCare coverage. This means TennCare may look at things like your bank accounts, property, or other resources you own, depending on the type of coverage you’re applying for.

3. Be a Tennessee resident and be a U.S. citizen or have qualified immigration status.

  • For more information, visit our Eligibility Reference Guide.
  • Can I have TennCare and other insurance at the same time?
    • Yes, you can still have TennCare even if you already have insurance.
    • Visit the TennCare Eligibility page to learn more.

How do I apply for TennCare?

There are three ways you can apply for TennCare Medicaid and Medicare Savings Programs (MSP). You can apply online, over the phone, or with a paper application.

  • Online:
  • Over the Phone:
    • Call TennCare Connect at 1-855-259-0701 to apply over the phone.
    • Do you have a hearing or speech problem and have questions or need help? Call the Tennessee Relay Service (TNRS) at 1-800-848-0298. Ask them to connect you with TennCare Connect at 1-855-259-0701.
  • Paper Application:
    • Complete a paper application and return it to a local DHS office, or mail or fax it to TennCare.

English Application:

Paper Application

Extra Pages for Additional Family Members

Aplicacion en Español:

Aplicacion en Español

Hojas adicionales para otros familiares

How to send your paper application to TennCare. You can send your application:

  • By Mail:

TennCare Connect

P.O. Box 305240

Nashville, TN 37230-5240

  • By Fax:

1-855-315-0669. Be sure to keep the page that says your fax went through. In person:

How can I track the status of my TennCare application?

  • You can track the status of your TennCare application in your TennCare Connect account. In the “Manage My Submissions” tile, click “Track My Submission” to see the status for each submission. The tracker will show the four different status options for your application:
    • “Submitted”
    • “Information Needed”
    • “Review in Progress”
    • “Processed”

How long does it take to get an eligibility decision?

  • If you apply online through TennCare Connect, you may find out if you qualify immediately. However, it could take up to 45 days. If you are applying for long-term services and supports, it could take up to 90 days because we will need to verify your medical eligibility.

What benefits are available through TennCare?

  • See the Benefits & Services overview or review your member handbook for a complete list of benefits.

How can I check my TennCare coverage status?

  • To find out your TennCare coverage status, you have two options:
    • Online: Log in to your TennCare Connect account and link it to your case to view your coverage details. You can also download the TennCare Connect mobile app for quick and easy access.
    • Over the Phone: Call TennCare Connect at 1-855-259-0701 to ask about your coverage status.
  • Visit the TennCare Members/Applicants page to learn more.

How can I find out what TennCare category I am in?

  • Your TennCare category will be listed on your insurance card issued from one of our health plans: UnitedHealthcare, BlueCare, or Wellpoint.

How can I cancel my TennCare coverage?

  • You can cancel your TennCare coverage by submitting a signed, dated request using one of the methods:
    • Over the Phone: Call TennCare Connect at 1-855-259-0701 (toll-free).
    • By Fax: Send your written request to 1-855-315-0669.
    • By Mail:

TennCare Connect

P.O. Box 305240

Nashville, TN 37230-5240

  • Make sure to include:
    • Your full name
    • Date of birth
    • Social Security number or TennCare case number
    • Mailing address
    • Signature(s) of those canceling coverage

Must I cancel my TennCare coverage if I move out of the state?

  • Yes. TennCare is available only to Tennessee residents. If you move out of Tennessee, you must notify TennCare and your coverage will end.
  • What should I do?
    • Report your change of address to TennCare within 10 days of moving.
    • You can report by calling TennCare Connect at 1-855-259-0701 or updating your address online at TennCare Connect.
    • Once your move is reported, your TennCare will be automatically canceled. Apply for Medicaid or other coverage in your new state as soon as you move to avoid gaps in coverage.

What benefits and services are included in Long-Term Services and Supports?

  • Long-Term Services & Supports (LTSS) help older adults and people with physical and developmental disabilities who can’t do everyday things by themselves like:
    • Bathing
    • Dressing
    • Eating
    • Toileting
    • Housework
    • Preparing meals
    • And more

Long-Term Services & Supports (LTSS) programs include CHOICES, Employment and Community First (ECF) CHOICES, Katie Beckett, 1915(c) HCBS Waivers, PACE, and Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs).

What is CoverKids?

CoverKids helps children get health insurance when their families make too much money to get Medicaid but not enough to buy private insurance.

Visit the CoverKids page to learn more.

What is a Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan (D-SNP)?

A DSNP, or Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan, is a special kind of health insurance for people who have both Medicare and Medicaid.

These plans coordinate the benefits and services across both programs so members can get medical care, behavioral health services, prescriptions, long-term services and supports, and other important benefits.

Visit the Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan (D-SNP) page to learn more.

What is a Medicare Saving Plan (MSP)?

  • Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) are offered by TennCare to help low-income people by paying some of Medicare’s out of pocket costs. Those costs include premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments.
  • Four Medicare Savings Programs exist:
    • Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) helps with Part A and B premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments.
    • Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) helps with Part B premiums only.
    • Qualifying Individual (QI) helps with Part B premiums, but only offered on a first-come, first-served basis until funds run out.
    • Qualified Disabled and Working Individuals (QDWI) helps with Part A premiums for people currently working.
  • Visit the Medicare Savings Programs page to learn more.

How do I qualify for a Medicare Saving Plan (MSP) in Tennessee?

  • To qualify for a Medicare Savings Plan (MSP), you must:
    • Be enrolled in Medicare Part A: This is a requirement for all MSPs.
    • Your income and available resources must fall below certain limits.
      • Eligibility for these programs is determined by TennCare, and income and resource limits are subject to change annually. It's important to contact TennCare Connect or your local Department of Human Services (DHS) office for the most current information.
  • Visit the Medicare Savings Programs page to learn more.

How does the TennCare renewal process work?

  • When it is your time to renew, TennCare will try to renew your health care coverage using the information we already have. If you are approved, you will get a letter saying your health coverage will continue.
  • What if TennCare cannot renew your coverage with the information we already have? You will receive a letter and renewal packet by mail. If you get your letters from TennCare by email, your message will tell you to log in to your TennCare Connect account. The renewal packet will include information you have already given to TennCare.
  • To complete your renewal packet, review the information we have and tell us what has changed. You must complete your TennCare renewal packet by the date listed in your letter. To find your renewal date, see the Renewals: How to Find your Renewal Date in TennCare Connect.
  • Here is what you can do to renew:
    • Make sure TennCare has your correct contact information
    • Complete your renewal by the date listed in your letter. Or find your renewal date in your TennCare Connect account or call us at 1-855-259-0701.
  • Visit the TennCare Renewals page to learn more.

What are the ways that I can renew my TennCare coverage?

  • There are 5 ways to renew your coverage after you get your renewal packet:
    • Use TennCare Connect to complete your renewal online. Go to TennCare Connect and log in to your TennCare Connect account. Then click “Renew my Benefits”. If you do not have an account yet, you can set one up now!
    • Call TennCare Connect for free at 1-855-259-0701 to renew your coverage over the phone.
    • In-person, you can visit the Department of Human Services (DHS) in your county to submit your documents or use the kiosk to complete your renewal online. Go to the Office Locator – Family Assistance web page or call 1-866-311-4287 to find a DHS office near you. Or call your local Area Agency on Aging and Disability (AAAD) at 1-866-836-6678.
    • Mail your completed and signed Renewal Packet to:

TennCare Connect

P.O. Box 305240

Nashville, TN 37230-5240

  • Fax your completed and signed Renewal Packet to: 1-855-315-0669. Be sure to keep the page that says your fax went through.
  • Visit the TennCare Renewals page to learn more.

How often do I need to renew my TennCare coverage?

  • TennCare, like all Medicaid agencies, is required to renew every member’s coverage once a year to make sure you still qualify for coverage.
  • Visit the TennCare Renewals page to learn more.

How do I report changes to TennCare?

  • You can update your information by going to TennCare Connect or calling 1-855-259-0701. You can also download the TennCare Connect mobile app for free and use it to make address changes or report a pregnancy.
  • Visit the TennCare Renewals page to learn more.

How can I contact TennCare?

Are language assistance services available?

Where can I find help filling out my TennCare application?

  • To get help filling out your TennCare application, you can:
    • Use the chat feature within your TennCare Connect account for assistance. You can use this chat feature to ask questions about your applications. Look for it when you log in to your Tenncare Connect account.
    • Call TennCare Connect for free at 1-855-259-0701 to get help over the phone. For users who require TTY or TDD devices, please call 1-877-779-3103.
    • If you have a disability, someone can come to your house to help you apply for TennCare. Call your local Area Agency on Aging and Disability (AAAD) at 1-866-836-6678.
  • Visit the TennCare Members/Applicants page to learn more.

What should I do if I have trouble using the TennCare online portal?