CoverKids FAQ
The Children’s Health insurance Program (CHIP) is a federally sponsored program that provides health insurance to uninsured children in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. In Tennessee, this program is called CoverKids.
CoverKids offers free health coverage for pregnant women and children who don’t have insurance and who don’t qualify for TennCare. Preventive health care is free! Sick visits and medication have very low-copays. Children age 18 and under also get dental and vision benefits. And pregnant women get prenatal, delivery and 60 days postpartum care.
To be eligible for CoverKids, you must:
- Be a Tennessee resident
- A child under 19 years of age and also a U.S. citizen or qualified alien OR a pregnant woman
- Meet the income requirements for CoverKids
Please note:
- Enrollees who are Native American/Alaskan Native may be eligible for additional benefits.
- CoverKids must be your only health plan. To get benefits, you can’t be part of any other plan (special rules apply to pregnant women).
Visit CoverKids Eligibility to learn more about eligibility for CoverKids.
Visit TennCare Eligibility Reference Guide for a summary of TennCare and CoverKids income limits.
- Apply online by visiting tenncareconnect.tn.gov or over the phone by calling TennCare Connect at 855-259-0701.
- A completed and signed paper application may be faxed to TennCare Connect at 855-315-0669 OR mailed to TennCare Connect at P.O. Box 305240 Nashville, TN 37230-5240.
- In-person application assistance is available at your local health department throughout the state. To see a list of local health departments by county, go to the Local and Regional Health Departments web page.
YES! You can get in-person help at the Department of Human Services in your county. Visit Office Locator - Family Assistance to find a location near you.
- Apply online by visiting tenncareconnect.tn.gov or over the phone by calling TennCare Connect at 855-259-0701.
- A completed and signed paper application may be faxed to TennCare Connect at 855-315-0669 OR mailed to TennCare Connect at P.O. Box 305240 Nashville, TN 37230-5240.
- In-person application assistance is available at local health departments throughout the state. To find a list of local health departments visit Local and Regional Health Departments.
You can still go to a local health department. They will help you apply in person.
To see a list of local health departments by county, go to the Local and Regional Health Departments web page.
If you already have CoverKids, call TennCare Connect for free at 855-259-0701 immediately after your baby is born. We will enroll your baby in coverage. Your baby will either get TennCare or CoverKids. Either way, coverage will start on the day your baby is born.
If you are a hospital helping to report the birth of a baby, please fill out the Birth Reporting form.
YES! You can get in-person help at your local health department. To see a list of local health departments by county, go to the Local and Regional Health Departments web page.
Yes. CoverKids is a guaranteed issue policy and there are no pre-existing condition exclusions for its members.
The custodial parent can submit a CoverKids application for the child(ren). The child(ren) must reside in the household with the custodial parent.
Once a child is enrolled in CoverKids, coverage is for 12 months. After the first year, eligibility for the program will be verified annually.
Coverage will begin on the day we get your completed and signed application or the day you meet all of the rules for eligibility, whichever is later.
No, a provider statement is not needed.
If you are a pregnant woman, no immigration documents are required.
No. When a child has CoverKids from the start of their application, they will get 12 months of coverage until it is time to renew. We will try to renew their coverage with the information we have. But if we cannot, a Renewal Packet will be mailed. To learn more about renewals, go to the Renewals web page.
If you have a change in your household, such as income or a new address, you must report it to TennCare within 10 days. Call TennCare Connect at 855-259-0701 to report a change.
Yes. If all eligibility criteria are met, having access to health insurance doesn’t mean you can’t get CoverKids. However, you can’t have other health insurance. In order to get benefits, CoverKids must be your only health plan.
Many hospitals can help you apply. Coverage will begin on the day we get your completed and signed application or the day you meet all of the rules for eligibility, whichever is later.
Families are encouraged to apply for the CoverKids program before children become injured or ill.
CoverKids pays for health services like:
- Doctor visits
- Hospital visits
- Vaccinations
- Well-child visits
- Developmental screenings
- Mental health care
- Vision and dental care for children
- Prenatal care for pregnant women
CoverKids provides services children need most, such as well-baby and well-child visits, as well as age-appropriate immunizations according to the schedule and endorsement of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
CoverKids covers inpatient and outpatient mental health care and substance abuse treatment for low co-pays without limits. Prior authorization is required for these services.
Yes, for children. Children must have one year of continuous enrollment to be eligible for orthodontic services.
Families who meet the income guidelines don’t pay a monthly premium for CoverKids, but will be required to make co-payments for certain services. Co-payments will vary based on income. By federal guidelines, a family's total annual out-of-pocket expenditures cannot exceed five percent of the annual household income.
YES. Families will have a listing of participating physicians in their area and can select or change the health care provider they are most comfortable seeing. Families are asked to select a physician to be their medical care coordinator so their children can have continuity and quality of care. You can change at any time by calling your Health Plan.
If you need language help, call TennCare Connect at 855-259-0701.
CoverKids is specifically intended for children, not adults. As a result, a child is no longer eligible for CoverKids after age 19.
Once ineligible due to age, a member should explore other coverage options such as health insurance through the marketplace at www.healthcare.gov or employer sponsored insurance.
Information is available at www.tn.gov/coverkids. For more detailed questions about CoverKids, call 855-259-0701.
- The 1095-B is an IRS tax document. You can use it as proof you had qualifying health care coverage (also called minimum essential coverage). Do you need a 1095-B for you or someone else in your household? Tell us. You can ask us to send you one for each person in your household who had coverage with us last tax year.
- Find out how to get your health coverage tax document and answers to common questions in The 1095-B FAQ.