A policy that kept individuals continuously enrolled in TennCare during the COVID-19 public health emergency ended on March 31, 2023.
Background: In January 2020, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a Public Health Emergency due to the spread of Covid-19 in the United States. During the Emergency, the annual renewal process and most Medicaid terminations were suspended. On December 23, 2022, Congress set April 1, 2023 as the end of the continuous enrollment requirement and the beginning of Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program renewals. State and federal law requires TennCare to resume the renewal process.
TennCare is working with health plans (Managed Care Organizations), community partners, and TennCare providers to ensure that members receive accurate information during this time. The approach is informed by Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) guidance.
The most important step patients can take is to make sure their contact information is updated on their TennCare Connect account. TennCare will use this information to automatically renew coverage or contact patients if additional paperwork is needed.
Resources:
- TennCare Renewals homepage
- TennCare toolkit for partners (includes sample phone/website/email messaging)
- TennCare information for patients
- Sample reminder letter for patients
- Tennessee Justice Center social media graphic (English, Spanish)
- Tennessee Justice Center “Is it your turn?” graphic (English)
- AAP quick guide on Medicaid unwinding
- AAP homepage on Medicaid unwinding
- AAP state advocacy webinar on Medicaid unwinding
- Georgetown 50 State Unwinding Tracker
