TennCare, Tennessee's Medicaid program, helps provide qualifying families with access to health care services and medications.
The State of Tennessee offers several programs that help low-income families and the uninsured afford the cost of medical care. The largest and oldest program is Medicaid, which is called TennCare in Tennessee. TennCare provides health care for more than 1 million residents of the state. Even more Tennessee residents are covered by additional programs, such as the Immunization Program, which helps to inoculate children against dangerous diseases and threats to public health. More recently, the state launched Cover Tennessee to expand the availability of health insurance to the uninsured.
About TennCare
TennCare diverts somewhat from traditional Medicaid programs, as it operates under a federal waiver that allows the state to develop its own Medicaid policies and practices. For this reason, the services provided by TennCare may differ slightly from those available to residents of other states. The most notable difference between TennCare and other states' programs is that TennCare is a managed care program, meaning all of the state's Medicaid population is part of a state-run health management organization. Like all Medicaid programs, however, TennCare serves low-income families and those in need.
Qualifying for TennCare
Eligibility for Medicaid in Tennessee is subject to income and asset limits. As of February 2011, individuals cannot make more than $1,288 monthly to qualify for TennCare. A family of four qualifies if its monthly income is below $2,240. Additionally, households are subject to a cash asset limit of $2,000, though those with more cash assets may still qualify for TennCare. Different income limits apply for residents who receive Social Security, are fighting breast or cervical cancer, or are uninsured.
Immunization Program
The Immunization Program helps ensure low-income families have access to vaccines.
Another feature of Medicaid assistance in Tennessee is the state's Immunization Program. This program is designed to help make sure that all children in Tennessee have access to inoculation against deadly diseases. As part of the Immunization Program, federally funded free vaccinations are available for children at local health departments throughout the state. Additionally, this program helps low-income families to meet the immunization requirements for schools, childcare facilities and colleges in Tennessee.
Cover Tennessee
Cover Tennessee is a newer program that provides health care assistance to low-income families and individuals. Cover Tennessee is intended to reduce the number of Tennessee residents who are uninsured. Cover Tennessee is largely a cost-sharing program, as both the state and the individual pay a portion of the premiums charged by the program. Premiums also vary according to the individual's risk factors, namely age, weight and tobacco use. One of the advantages to Cover Tennessee over traditional employer-based coverage is that Cover Tennessee's customers do not lose coverage if they lose their job.
Tags: Cover Tennessee, Immunization Program, low-income families, health care, have access, Medicaid programs, Medicaid Tennessee
