How Can I Get Health Care If I Don’t Qualify for TennCare?

TennCare is the state of Tennessee's Medicaid program. This program is designed to provide health care insurance to low-income children, pregnant women, parents or caretakers of minor children, the elderly, and people with disabilities.

For more information on TennCare eligibility, go to the Categories web page.

If you do not qualify for TennCare, there are other healthcare options available through the Health Insurance Marketplace. Go to healthcare.gov or call them at 800-318-2596 for more information.

Tennessee’s County Health Departments provide many health services, including:

  • Immunizations
  • Well-child and EPSDT screenings
  • WIC and nutrition services
  • Breast and Cervical Cancer Screenings
  • Family Planning
  • Birth and death certificates
  • Children’s special services
  • HIV testing and counseling
  • Sexually transmitted disease testing and treatment
  • Communicable disease control

Some locations also offer primary health care and dental care. Most of the services are offered on a sliding fee scale based on income. To find a local health department clinic, go to the County Health Department Services webpage.

The Dental Care for Tennesseans web page has a map that lists dental and health clinics across the state. These clinics help connect families to dental care. Some clinics may charge a lower fee.

Click on a county on the map to see a list of dental and health clinics.

Public health dental clinics provide care to those who do not usually get clinical dental care. There are dental clinics located in many Local Health Departments. Based on the Health Department, clinical and dental care can be offered full-time or part-time.

For more information on dental clinics in Tennessee, go to the Dental – Oral Health Services web page.

FQHCs are community-based organizations that provide comprehensive primary care and preventative care, including health, oral, and mental health/substance abuse services. They serve all uninsured and underinsured individuals. FQHCs will provide services regardless of a person's ability to pay. They charge for services based on a sliding scale that is based on an individual's household income.

CoverKids provides health coverage for eligible children ages 18 and younger or pregnant women who are eligible. Low co-pays are included for sick visits and medication. Well-child visits and vaccinations are free.

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

For more information on CoverKids, go to the CoverKids web page.

CoverRx is a pharmacy assistance program designed to assist those who don't have pharmacy coverage, but need medication. CoverRx provides participants affordable access to more than 200 generic medications in addition to some name brands of insulin and of mental health medications.

For more information, go to the CoverRx web page.

The Behavioral Health Safety Net of TN, administered by the Tennessee Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services, provides core behavioral health services to Tennesseans lacking insurance coverage.

For more information on Mental Health and Substance Abuse services, go to the Behavioral Health web page.