Cover Tennessee
Cover TN State-Sponsored Health Insurance Program
Cover TN aims to provide portable, affordable, limited-benefits health insurance to Tennesseans between jobs. Your spouse is also eligible for coverage, but your children are not (they are covered through CoverKids).
The eligibility requirements are straightforward:
- You must be at least 19 years old
- You must have been a legal TN resident for at least 6 months
- You must be a US Citizen or qualified legal alien
- You must have gotten canned in the last 6 months
- You must have earned less than $43,000 annually
- You cannot currently have health insurance
How It Works
BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee partnered with the state to provide this program. You cannot apply online, but must download an application and follow the snail mail steps by clicking here. There are two plan options, A and B. Neither has a deductible, but for both coverage is limited and benefits are capped at $25,000 per year. If you get really hurt or sick, you’re responsible for any and all payments beyond $25,000.
Benefits
Coverage for both Plan A and Plan B is designed to be basic but comprehensive. Plan A has better prescription drug coverage, while Plan B allows for more physician visits and hospital stays.
Pre-existing conditions are subject to a 12-month waiting period. In general, coverage includes:
- Physician visits
- Inpatient and outpatient hospital services
- Emergency services
- Surgery
- Maternity care
- X-ray and laboratory
- Durable medical equipment
- Ground ambulence
Dental and vision services are not covered. For complete details, download a PDF here.
Cost
Unemployed people agree to pay two-thirds of the cost of the plan and the state picks up the last third. Premiums vary by age and several health varialbes (obesity, smoking). For a healthy 30-year-old, the monthly premium will be under $100 per month. Copays range from $15 for doctor visits to $100 for inpatient hospital services
An Insider’s Tip
Once you elect COBRA coverage, you must exhaust it (18 months) before you can apply for Cover TN. Before you sign up for COBRA, look at Cover TN carefully. COBRA is far more exhaustive, but also far more expensive.
