While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Unemployment Insurance program and compiled a guide and the following answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provides comprehensive free or low-cost healthcare benefits to children whose parents or guardians do not qualify for Medicaid. CHIP is a federal program, and each state/territory has flexibility to design their own CHIP program within federal guidelines. Therefore, CHIP benefits may differ in each state/territory.
CHIP benefits may include annual check-ups, hospital visits, dental insurance, vision insurance and more. All services are provided through medical providers that participate in the CHIP program. Not all doctors and medical facilities accept CHIP patients.
Learn more about CHIP benefits here.
The Tennessee state CHIP program is called CoverKids. It is administered by the Tennessee Department of Human Services. For more information about CoverKids, click here.
A child may receive CHIP benefits in Tennessee for as long as he or she qualifies for the program. A participant’s qualifications are determined by their age and their household’s monthly gross income. To learn more about eligibility and qualifying for CoverKids, click here.
If a child is eligible for CHIP, the following services will be covered:
Other services may also be covered depending on the child’s needs.
For more information about the services covered and what medical assistance you can receive, call TennCare Connect at 1 (855) 315-0701 or review the Tennessee CHIP overview page here.
To qualify for CHIP in Tennessee, a child must meet the following criteria:
For more information on Tennessee’s household income limits and other eligibility criteria to qualify for CHIP, click here.
CoverKids does not require families to pay a premium, regardless of how many children are enrolled in coverage. When your child receives covered medical services, your copay will be determined by your income.
For more information on the cost of CHIP benefits in Tennessee, visit the CoverKids frequently asked questions page here. Or call TennCare Connect at 1 (855) 315-0701.
Before applying for the CoverKids, complete the following three steps:
Learn about the income limits and other eligibility criteria here.
To apply for CHIP online, you can create an account through TennCare Connect here.
To apply for CHIP in person, click here to find your nearest Tennessee Family Assistance office location.
To apply for CHIP by phone, call 1 (855) 259-0701.
To apply for CHIP by mail, fill out the Application for Health Coverage and Help Paying Costs found here and send it to the following address:
TennCare Connect
P.O. Box 305240
Nashville, TN 37202-5240
To apply for CHIP by fax, send your completed application to 1 (855) 315-0669.
For a copy of the Application for Health Coverage and Help Paying Costs in Spanish, click here.
Depending on your method of application, you can check your application status in the following ways:
You will receive a determination letter in the mail notifying you of your eligibility for CHIP after your application has been processed. The amount of time that it takes to process your application may be extended if the Department of Human Services requires more information from you to process your application.
If approved for CHIP, you will be sent further information on enrolling in health coverage.
For more information about what happens after you apply for CoverKids, you can contact TennCare Connect at 1 (855) 315-0701.
If you do not agree with the Tennessee Department of Human Services’ decision to deny you CHIP benefits, you can file an appeal within 30 days of when you receive your eligibility determination in the mail.
You can file your appeal by phone by calling TennCare Connect at 1 (855) 315-0701.
To transfer your child from your current insurance to CHIP benefits, you will need to contact your current health insurance provider and ask a representative to discontinue their insurance coverage.
You can find your insurance company’s customer service number on your health insurance card.
If you have any questions about the insurance transfer process, contact TennCare Connect at 1 (855) 315-0701.
If you have any further questions about CoverKids or CHIP, call TennCare Connect at 1 (855) 315-0701.
You can also contact your local Tennessee Family Assistance office for assistance. Find your nearest office location and contact information here.
Services are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Children’s Health Insurance Program and compiled a guide and the following answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
Our free CHIP Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply, program eligibility and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view or download our free guide here.
