Healthcare Assistance for Single Mothers in Tennessee

Where to start

Quick reference: best first step

2026 income limits to check

Tennessee uses different limits for different groups. The official TennCare income guide lists 2026 monthly and yearly limits. Income is only one part of the decision. Tennessee also checks the coverage group, household details, residency, other insurance, and other rules.

TennCare Medicaid

TennCare is Tennessee’s Medicaid program. The state says TennCare mainly serves low-income pregnant women, parents or caretaker relatives of a minor child, children, and people who are elderly or have a disability. Check the official eligibility groups before you assume you cannot apply.

TennCare can help pay for covered medical care, hospital care, pregnancy care, prescriptions, behavioral health care, dental care, and rides when a person qualifies and uses covered services. The covered benefits can depend on the type of TennCare and the health plan.

Apply for everyone in the home who needs coverage. The state may approve one child, deny another person, or ask for more proof. For a plain national overview, ASMOM’s Medicaid guide explains how Medicaid and CHIP work.

CoverKids for children and pregnant women

CoverKids is Tennessee’s Children’s Health Insurance Program. The state CoverKids eligibility page says it can cover eligible children age 18 and younger and eligible pregnant women who are not eligible for or enrolled in TennCare.

For children, CoverKids generally requires Tennessee residency, age under 19, income at or below 250% FPL, and no other health plan. For pregnant women, the state says immigration documents are not required, and another health plan may still be allowed if it does not include maternity benefits.

Apply through the same state application path. If your child’s notice says income is too high for TennCare, ask whether CoverKids was reviewed or whether more proof is needed. For child care while you go to visits or work on paperwork, see Tennessee child care resources.

Pregnancy, postpartum, and newborn help

If you are pregnant and uninsured, contact a county health department. Tennessee’s pregnancy coverage information says Prenatal Presumptive Eligibility can give immediate temporary TennCare coverage for qualified pregnant people. Coverage begins on the date of enrollment and is meant to reduce delays in prenatal care.

The same state page says county health departments can help with CoverKids Pregnant Woman coverage if Prenatal Presumptive Eligibility does not fit. CoverKids Pregnant Woman coverage is not immediate; benefits begin only after approval, though the start date may be the application date.

After birth, report the baby to TennCare Connect and follow the notice instructions. If food, breastfeeding, or formula support is also needed, the Tennessee Tennessee WIC program helps eligible pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, infants, and children until age 5. ASMOM’s Tennessee WIC guide gives state-specific next steps.

TennCare Kids

TennCare Kids is the checkup and health care program for children and young adults from birth through age 20 who have TennCare. The state TennCare Kids page lists well-child checkups, dental checkups, medical care, behavioral health services, and screenings.

Use checkups even when your child seems well. Checkups can help catch vision, hearing, dental, growth, school, and behavior needs earlier. If your child has a serious health condition, disability, or special need, also review Tennessee disability help.

Rides, dental care, and diapers

Rides to covered care

TennCare transportation can help members who do not have a way to get to a covered service. The state ride benefit page says rides should be scheduled at least two business days before the appointment when possible.

For non-medical travel problems, ASMOM’s Tennessee transportation help guide may help you find other ride paths.

Dental care

TennCare and CoverKids dental benefits are handled by Renaissance. The state dental benefits page says children have comprehensive dental services as medically necessary until age 21. Adult dental coverage is also listed by TennCare, but always confirm covered services before care. For more options, use Tennessee dental help.

Diapers

TennCare and CoverKids members under age 2 may get up to 100 diapers per month from participating pharmacies. The state diaper benefit page says no prescription is required and questions go to OptumRx at 888-816-1680. If your child needs more supplies, check ASMOM’s baby gear help guide.

If you do not qualify for TennCare

A denial does not mean there is no care path. It may mean TennCare is not the right coverage group for the adult. Use clinics, Marketplace plans, county health services, prescription programs, and local referrals while you keep checking your options.

• Community health centers: Use the HRSA health center locator to find clinics that may use a sliding fee scale.
• Tennessee clinics: The Tennessee Primary Care Association lists community health centers and health center information across the state.
• Charitable clinics: The Tennessee Charitable Care Network has a charitable clinics finder for free or reduced-cost care programs.
• Marketplace plans: HealthCare.gov lists Marketplace dates. Open Enrollment usually starts November 1 and ends January 15 in federal Marketplace states.
• Outside open enrollment: Check for a Special Enrollment Period if you lost coverage, moved, had a baby, adopted a child, or had another qualifying event.

Prescription help through CoverRx

CoverRx is a Tennessee prescription drug program. It is not health insurance and does not cover doctor visits or hospital care. The state CoverRx page says it is for people ages 18 to 64 with no pharmacy coverage who meet income and other rules.

The CoverRx application page says enrollment and re-enrollment applications are being accepted. Check the CoverRx benefits page before counting on a medicine, because covered drugs, copays, and limits can change.

How to apply for TennCare or CoverKids

The state explains how to apply online, by phone, or with a paper application. The same application path can screen many TennCare and CoverKids cases.

1. Online: Use TennCare Connect to apply, check status, report changes, and read letters.
2. Phone: Call TennCare Connect at 855-259-0701. If you have hearing or speech needs, call Tennessee Relay Service at 800-848-0298 and ask them to connect you.
3. Paper: Mail the paper application to TennCare Connect, P.O. Box 305240, Nashville, TN 37230-5240, or fax it to 1-855-315-0669.
4. In person: Ask a local Department of Health office for help with the application.

The state says most people need 30 to 60 minutes to complete the application. Keep your address, phone number, and mail updated. If bills are getting in the way of care, ask 211 for utility, rent, food, and local case management referrals.

Documents and information checklist

You may not need every paper on this list, but having details ready can prevent delays. For a longer list, use ASMOM’s documents checklist.

What to do if denied, delayed, or ignored

First, read the notice. Look for the reason, date, deadline, and whether the issue is eligibility or a medical service. Then use the right appeal path.

Keep copies of notices, forms, screenshots, fax confirmations, call dates, and names. If you need help with a hearing or a legal question, contact Tennessee legal help or a qualified legal aid office.

Local and statewide resource finders

For non-medical help close to home, ASMOM’s local agencies guide explains how Community Action and similar groups may help with referrals.