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Apply for TennCare (Tennessee Medicaid) - Complete Guide

TennCare (Tennessee Medicaid) · TC0131

Program overview

TennCare is Tennessee's Medicaid program that provides comprehensive healthcare coverage to eligible low-income individuals and families. The program serves Tennessee residents who are U.S. citizens or have qualified immigration status, offering essential medical services through managed care organizations including UnitedHealthcare, BlueCare, and Wellpoint.

Eligibility for TennCare depends on factors including household income, family size, age, pregnancy status, disability, and assets. 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. The program covers children, pregnant women, parents, elderly adults, and individuals with disabilities.

TennCare provides a wide range of medical services including doctor visits, hospital care, prescription drugs, mental health services, dental care, vision care, and long-term care services. 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. The program also offers specialized services like transportation assistance and home and community-based services for those needing long-term care.

When applying for TennCare, it's important to provide complete and accurate information to avoid delays in processing. Give yourself enough time to fill out the application. It can take most people 30 to 60 minutes to fill it out. Tell us as much as you can. This will help speed up the process and can get you a decision faster. Enrollment in TennCare is year-round; you do not need to wait for an open enrollment period if you're eligible for Medicaid. Applicants should be prepared to provide documentation of income, assets, residency, and other eligibility factors when submitting their application.

Main application form

TennCare Application for Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) and Medicare Savings Program

Form TC0131

Download form

Additional forms

  • Additional Family Members Pages ·

    Extra pages for adding more family members to the application

    Download form →

  • Conditional Assistance Form ·

    For applicants with resources above normal limits who may qualify for temporary coverage

  • Life Insurance Verification Request ·

    Authorizes TennCare to request proof of life insurance from insurance companies

    Download form →

Where to submit

Submit completed applications to TennCare Connect, P.O. Box 305240, Nashville, TN 37230-5240, or fax to 855-315-0669. Applications can also be submitted online through TennCareConnect.TN.gov or in person at any Department of Human Services office.

Watch the guide

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Welcome to Tennessee's TennCare Medicaid program. TennCare provides healthcare coverage for eligible low-income Tennessee residents, including families with children, pregnant women, seniors, and individuals with disabilities. You can apply three ways: online at TennCareConnect.TN.gov, by phone at 855-259-0701, or with a paper application. The main application form is TC0131, which covers regular Medicaid and long-term care services. Eligibility depends on your income, family size, and category. For example, a family of three with a pregnant woman may qualify with income under $66,625 annually. You'll need documents like Social Security cards, proof of income, residency verification, and bank statements. The application takes 30-60 minutes to complete. TennCare covers doctor visits, hospital care, prescriptions, dental care, and more through managed care plans like UnitedHealthcare, BlueCare, and Wellpoint. Free help is available by calling TennCare Connect or visiting any Department of Human Services office. Remember, you can apply year-round - there's no enrollment period. Start your application today to get the healthcare coverage you need.

Official resources

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Frequently asked questions

How do I apply for TennCare (Tennessee Medicaid) in Tennessee?

To apply for TennCare (Tennessee Medicaid) in Tennessee, complete TennCare Application for Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) and Medicare Savings Program (TC0131), then submit it to Submit completed applications to TennCare Connect, P.O. Box 305240, Nashville, TN 37230-5240, or fax to 855-315-0669. Applications can also be submitted online through TennCareConnect.TN.gov or in person at any Department of Human Services office..

What documents do I need to apply for TennCare (Tennessee Medicaid) in Tennessee?

You typically need to provide: Social Security cards for all household members, Birth certificates for all applicants, Proof of Tennessee residency (utility bill, lease agreement, etc.), Income verification (pay stubs for last 2 months, tax returns), Proof of other health insurance or Medicare coverage, Bank statements and asset documentation, Immigration documents (if applicable), Medical records or disability documentation (if applicable), Proof of pregnancy (if applicable), Child support documentation (if applicable), Self-employment income records (if applicable), Unemployment benefit statements (if applicable).

Where do I submit my TennCare (Tennessee Medicaid) application in Tennessee?

Submit your completed TennCare (Tennessee Medicaid) application to Submit completed applications to TennCare Connect, P.O. Box 305240, Nashville, TN 37230-5240, or fax to 855-315-0669. Applications can also be submitted online through TennCareConnect.TN.gov or in person at any Department of Human Services office..

How we research and verify this information

Our team compiles this listing from public records and provider data, and reviews it against authoritative sources. Read our editorial standards and research methodology.