How to Apply for the BHSN for Adults

The Behavioral Health Safety Net (BHSN) for Adults provides essential outpatient mental health services to Tennesseans who lack insurance coverage. The BHSN for Adults is administered through contracts with Community Mental Health Agencies across the state. These services are community based, and inpatient care is not covered. 

To apply for safety net assistance, find a provider in your area, make an intake appointment,  and tell them you want to apply for the safety net program. If you are eligible for the program (see eligibility requirements below), the agency will assist you in completing the enrollment form. If approved, Behavioral Health Safety Net services must be received at the Community Mental Health Agency where you applied for safety net assistance. 

Find a Provider in Your Area

Click this link for a sortable and searchable list of provider contacts by county.

Interactive Provider Map

Assistance with prescription medications is handled through a separate program called CoverRx. The CoverRx program is supported by TennCare.  Full details of this program can be found at this link: https://www.tn.gov/tenncare/coverrx.html.  Application for Cover Rx can be made through the same agency through which you made application for the Behavioral Health Safety Net program. 

In order to qualify for the BHSN for Adults, you must have

• A qualifying mental health diagnosis
• A household income at or below 138% of the Federal Poverty Level

and are

• A Tennessee resident, 18 or older
• A U.S. Citizen or qualified alien
• Not currently in an inpatient facility or nursing home
• Ineligible for VA benefits, TennCare, or have filled out a TennCare application
  
• Lacking private health insurance which covers behavioral health benefits, or all behavioral health benefits have been exhausted for the year
• Individuals who are inmates or incarcerated and meet all other BHSN eligibility requirements may be enrolled in BHSN to receive the following services: Psychiatric Diagnostic Evaluation, with or without medical services (90791, 90792), and Psychological Testing Evaluation Services (96130). These services are allowable for individuals who are inmates or incarcerated if the services are provided within 90 days of release from incarceration and the services are provided to determine a qualifying mental health diagnosis for BHSN eligibility.

Individuals who have Medicare Part B and meet all other eligibility requirements for the BHSN program may be enrolled.

Anyone who receives BHSN services and is 65 or older will be treated as having Medicare Part B.

These two groups are eligible for 5 services: Case Management, Medication Training and Support, Peer Support, and Psychological Rehabilitation Services.

If any individual is enrolled in Medicare Part B and has chosen a Medicare Advantage Plan, they may enroll in the BSHN program if they meet all other eligibility requirements, as long as their Advantage Plan doesn’t cover the 5 approved services above or benefits of the plan have been exhausted for the year.