Renewal Flexibilities

TennCare has requested flexibilities from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to facilitate the renewal process following the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency and temporary pause on renewals. The temporary flexibilities approved by CMS for Tennessee during the “unwinding” period are:

  • Renew certain individuals’ eligibility for TennCare based on supplemental nutritional assistance program (SNAP) eligibility (Targeted SNAP Strategy) = SNAP Match Flexibility
  • Enroll certain individuals in TennCare based on supplemental nutritional assistance program (SNAP) eligibility (Targeted SNAP Strategy) = SNAP Enrollment Strategy
  • Enroll certain individuals in TennCare and renew certain individuals’ eligibility for TennCare based on temporary assistance for needy families (TANF) eligibility (Targeted TANF Strategy) = TANF Match Flexibility
  • Ex parte renewal for individuals with no income and no data returned (Beneficiaries with No Income Renewal) = Zero Income Flexibility
  • Ex parte renewal for individuals with low income and no data returned (Beneficiaries with Income At or Below 100 Percent FPL Renewal) = Low Income Flexibility
  • Facilitating renewal for individuals with no asset verification system (AVS) data returned within a reasonable timeframe (Streamlined Asset Verification) = Asset Verification System Flexibility
  • Partnering with health plans to update member contact information (MCO Beneficiary Contact Updates) = MCO Contact Flexibility
  • Use of United States Postal Service (USPS) returned mail to update member contact information (USPS Contact Updates) = USPS Contact Flexibility
  • Extended timeframe to take final administrative action on fair hearing requests (Fair Hearing Timeframe Extension) = Fair Hearing Timeframe Extension
    • UPDATE:  The approval letter related to this flexibility specifies that this flexibility will only be implemented if certain conditions are met. Due to one of these conditions being met (the state having requests for fair hearings that were received 70 or more days ago), TennCare will implement this flexibility effective February 1, 2024.
  • Permit managed care plans to provide assistance to enrollees to complete and submit renewal forms = MCO Renewal Support
  • Permit the designation of an authorized representative for the purposes of signing an application or renewal form via telephone without a signed designation from the applicant or beneficiary = Authorized Representative Designation
  • Reinstate eligibility back to the date of termination for individuals who were disenrolled for procedural reasons who were subsequently redetermined eligible for Medicaid within 90 days = Reconsideration Flexibility
  • Temporarily suspend the requirement to cooperate with the Medicaid agency in establishing the identity of a child's parents and in obtaining medical support = Medical Support Cooperation Flexibility
  • Temporarily suspend the requirement to apply for other benefits = Applying for Other Benefits Flexibility