No Longer Eligible For TennCare? There Are Health Insurance Options Available For You.

Most of us have heard about a family member, friend, or neighbor who recently passed away or was notified of a loss of Medicaid coverage. You can go through this process yourself.

The process will continue through May 2024, affecting nearly 100 million Americans, including many Tennesseans, a nationwide change.

Under federal law, states must periodically review Medicaid eligibility and exclude those who do not meet guidelines. Many Tennesseans with chronic health conditions and at-risk communities rely on TenCare, the state's Medicaid program, to make sure they can get the care they need. Now that coverage is in jeopardy as states restart the Medicaid eligibility review process.

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If you think you can't get insurance, you may be surprised

As health insurers, we owe it to our members to communicate directly about future changes and how they will affect them. We also need to provide real resources, solutions, and action plans to help provide peace of mind and support for them and their loved ones.

We have long supported TenCare members through the Tennessee branch of BlueCare Tennessee, BlueCross BlueShield's efforts. Working with TenCare, we have been able to proactively communicate with members affected by this redefinition.

The most important message is that these members are eligible to sign up for Marketplace plans. Many people who think they can't afford a Marketplace plan may be surprised. 90% of Americans who lose Medicaid coverage can get government assistance that lowers their monthly costs.

In the year In 2024, we will introduce new plans at lower prices. Our Network E and L plans , now available in Nashville, Memphis and Knoxville, and expanding to Chattanooga, are designed to be a more affordable option and cost 18-20% less than Network S plans. By 2024, every BlueCross marketplace plan will include a virtual option. $0 bonus.

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Broad communication is required to reach all regions

We emphasize that members at risk of losing TennCare coverage do not need to wait to enroll. You can apply for a Marketplace plan 60 days before TennCare expires and enroll to avoid a coverage gap. We refer our members to healthcare.gov/lower-costs and shopbcbstplans.com to see if they qualify and shop for the plan that's right for them. We work with our supplier partners and licensed agents to provide information.

Reaching large numbers of people, especially in rural Tennessee, requires a broad communication approach. So far, our efforts have included phone calls, text messages, emails, etc. A combination of letters and postcards sent directly to affected members. We also pursue informal opportunities in partnership with TennCare and other managed organizations, including in-store messaging. These are some of the ways we try to bring people together where they are.

Health care costs continue to rise, and this is not lost on us, and neither are our members, especially those struggling to make ends meet. We will continue to work hard to reduce these costs and provide affordable coverage options for our neighbors.

Kelly Paul is Vice President of Product Strategy and Individual Markets at BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee.

This article originally appeared in the Nashville Tennessean; TennCare eligibility. Health insurance is available for those who need it.

TennCare non-urgent care providers