The State of Tennessee offers Medicaid coverage through TennCare.
The State of Tennessee calls its Medicaid program TennCare, which provides health care coverage for more than 1 million residents, according to TennCare estimates. TennCare offers plans designed for different types of households and physical conditions, including single mothers, people with disabilities and the blind. Each program has specific eligibility requirements, which can include income limits, resource limits and work requirements. People seeking coverage can contact the Tennessee Department of Human Services for more information.
Families First
Families First is Tennessee's welfare program, often referred to in other states as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. In addition to cash benefits for living expenses, the Families First program also provides TennCare coverage for its participants. The program offers benefits to families with a single parent or two-parent families in which one parent is unemployed, incapacitated or disabled. Participants must have a child under the age of 18 living in the home. To qualify, applicants must meet income limits, ranging from $696 net per month for a family of one to $1,211 net per month for a family of four, according to November 2010 requirements. Participants can have no more than $2,000 in resources, which excludes homestead properties, and have equity of no more than $4,600 in an automobile. The majority of Families First participants must comply with work requirements.
AFDC-MO
TennCare offers the AFDC-MO program, also known as Aid to Families with Dependent Children-Medicaid Only, to single-parent households and two-parent households in which one parent is unemployed, incapacitated or disabled. Participants must have a child under the age of 19. AFDC-MO has higher income limits than Families First, ranging from $1,080 net per month for a family of one to $1,938 net per month for a family of four. Participants can have no more than $2,000 in resources, excluding homesteads, and equity of no more than $4,600 in an automobile. The AFDC-MO program does not offer cash assistance and does not include a work requirement.
Poverty Level Income Standard
The Poverty Level Income Standard (PLIS) program offers Medicaid coverage for pregnant women and children under 19 years of age. Pregnant women and children under the age of 1 can qualify with an income of up to 185 percent of the federal poverty level, as of 2010. Children ages 1 to 5 years can qualify with a household income of no more than 133 percent of the federal poverty level. Children ages 6 to 18 can qualify for PLIS with a household income of no more than 100 percent of the poverty level.
Supplemental Security Income
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefit recipients--including senior citizens, disabled persons and the blind--can qualify for TennCare coverage. Single participants can have a monthly income of no more than $694 and couples up to $1,031, as of 2010. Couples can have no more than $3,000 in resources and single participants up to $2,000. Resource limits exclude homesteads and participants can own one car. The Social Security Administration determines applicant eligibility for SSI TennCare coverage.
Applying for TennCare
Residents can find specific eligibility requirements and submit an application at Tennessee Department of Human Services offices, located in all 95 Tennessee counties. The TennCare website also provides an online application.
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