Medicaid is a national health insurance program funded through federal and state governments. Eligible participants are Americans of any age who meet the low-income and asset limit requirements, demonstrating a financial need in obtaining health care. In Tennessee, the Medicaid program TennCare is regulated through the state’s Division of Healthcare, Finance & Administration (HCFA), a branch of the Department of Human Services.
To qualify for TennCare, an individual’s monthly income must not exceed $2,313 and countable assets must be less than $2,000. For married couples, the income/asset limits are doubled, but the individual limits apply to each spouse. If only one spouse applies, the individual limits count for that person, but the non-applicant spouse can have up to $126,420 in assets.
Only income specific to the applicant is counted, even when married. The program also allows the transfer of some income to the non-applicant spouse to cover living expenses.
Not all assets count. Exclusions include burial trusts, a vehicle, household furnishings, personal belongings and a primary residence valued below $585,000.
TennCare-qualified seniors who are 65 or older may be eligible for the CHOICES program, a Home and Community Based Services waiver that provides assistance to those who require a nursing home level of care but want to remain in their homes or the community.
Services provided through the CHOICES program may include:
- Personal care visits
- Attendant care
- Meal delivery
- A personal emergency response system
- Adult day care
- In-home respite care
- Inpatient respite care
- Assistive technology
- Minor home modifications
- Pest control
- Community-based residential alternatives, including assisted living facilities
For more information regarding the Tennessee Medicaid program or CHOICES waiver, contact TennCare at (800) 342-3145 or online through the
TennCare Connect system.