Medical Insurance & Financing
Agencies and organizations related to paying for medical care are listed here. Most, but not all, are associated with public insurance (Medicare and TennCare). TennCare Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) are listed.
For a more thorough explanation of some of the services, products, and types of coverage listed here, and for a more in-depth look at Medicare options, see the Action Guide. Also see the Action Guide for more information about TennCare.
For information about receiving prescription medicines by mail, or applying for a program that helps low-income seniors with medication costs, call Affordable Medicine Options for Seniors (AMOS), 524-2786.
Cover Tennessee
1-866-268-3786
Cover Tennessee includes two health insurance programs for adults: CoverTN, basic, low-cost health coverage that targets the needs of small business and uninsured working adults; and AccessTN, comprehensive health insurance for the uninsurable.
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Legal Aid of East TN
637-0484
502 S. Gay Street, Suite 404, 37902
Counseling on medical insurance issues, including Medicaid/TennCare and Medicare. Call for appointment.
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Medicaid/Tenncare (Application)
594-6151
TN Dept. of Human Services
2700 Middlebrook Pike, Suite 100, 37921
Handles applications for nursing home coverage for persons with disabilities and persons age 65+ who are qualified by income, resources, and medical condition.
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Medicare
1-800-633-4227
TTY (for deaf only) -877-486-2048
Health insurance for those age 65+ who are drawing Social Security or paying monthly premiums; also for younger persons who have drawn disability benefits (SSDI) for two years or, in some cases, who have a diagnosis of terminal illness. It has four parts: Part A, which pays for hospital and nursing home stays; Part B, an option for which you pay an additional premium and receive outpatient services; Part C (the private insurance alternative to Original Medicare), which partially covers hospital, outpatient, and prescription expenses; and Part D, which helps pay for prescription drugs. Phones answered by agents 24 hours a day, seven days a week; closed only for federal holidays.
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Medicare Parts A & B
Information and answers to questions about individual claims about hospital and medical (outpatient) coverage. Can also provide information about Medicare-participating physicians and equipment suppliers. Some of these services can be accessed on the Medicare web site, which also includes information about quality of service from health-care providers (including hospitals, nursing homes, and home-health agencies). Also call to report Medicare fraud and abuse.
Medicare Part C
Contact your Medicare Advantage plan’s customer service department (most are open 24 hours a day/7 days a week). The toll-free number is on the back of your member ID card. For general information about Medicare Part C, call Medicare or go to web site, which also includes evaluations of all Medicare Advantage plans. Call Medicare directly to report fraud and abuse.
Medicare Part D
Contact your Medicare Part D (prescription drug) plan’s customer service department (most are open 24 hours a day/7 days a week). The toll-free number is on the back of your member ID card. The Medicare web site also includes evaluations of all Medicare Part D plans. For help in choosing or enrolling in a Medicare Part D plan, contact Medicare, or you can call Affordable Medicine Options for Seniors for advice and assistance. Call Medicare directly to report fraud and abuse.
Medicare Savings Programs (MSP)
594-6151
TN Dept. of Human Services
2700 Middlebrook Pike, Suite 100, 37921
Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries (QMB), Specified Low-income Medicare Beneficiaries (SLMB), and Qualifying Individuals 1 (QI1) programs help low-income seniors pay for Medicare coverage. Call to check income eligibility.
Medicare Extra Help for Part D
1-866-331-9091
Social Security Office
8530 Kingston Pike, 37919
Extra help through the Low Income Subsidy for eligible Medicare Part D enrollees whose income and assets are low. Or call Affordable Medicine Options for Seniors (AMOS).
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QSource
1-800-528-2655
3175 Lenox Park Boulevard, Suite 309, Memphis, 38115
A health-care quality improvement organization. Answers questions, explains rights, and makes appropriate referrals regarding Medicare. Responds to written complaints about quality of medical care received in hospitals, outpatient and skilled nursing facilities, and home health services. Works with providers to improve quality of care.
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State Health insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)
1-877-801-0044
East TN Area Agency on Aging & Disability
9111 Cross Park Drive, Suite D-100, 37923
Provides free counseling and advocacy on health insurance issues, including information and assistance with Medicare, Medicare Health Plans, Medicare Part D, and Medicare supplemental (Medigap) insurance.
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Tenncare (Application)
594-6151
TN Dept. of Human Services
2700 Middlebrook Pike, Suite 100, 37921
For TennCare questions and applications.
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Tenncare & Tenncare Behavioral Health Advocacy Program
1-800-758-1638
TTY (for deaf only): 1-877-779-3103
TN Community Services Agency
Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m., Mon. - Fri. Helps consumers determine whether they qualify for TennCare and find out how to apply for or re-verify TennCare enrollment. Helps TennCare enrollees understand their benefits, available services and how to access them, and how to file an appeal. An automated phone system answers; press “2” for help with behavioral health issues. Helps consumers of behavioral-health and substance-abuse services navigate and understand TennCare. Advocacy counselors assist with application process; benefit information; accessing services; and filing complaints, grievances, and appeals.
Tenncare Information Line/Family Assistance Center
1-866-311-4287
TTY (for deaf only): 1-800-772-7647
P.O. Box 820, Nashville, 37202-9968
For people already on TennCare: to get answers to questions about services, such as food stamps and Medicaid.
Tenncare Managed Care Organizations
United Healthcare: 1-800-690-1606
2033 Meadowview Lane, Suite 300, Kingsport, 37660
Blue Cross/Blue Shield of TN
BlueCare Division: 1-800-468-9698
801 Pine Street, Chattanooga, 37402-2555
TennCare Select: 1-800-263-5479
801 Pine Street, Chattanooga, 37402-2555
Tenncare Solutions Unit
1-800-878-3192
To file appeals on TennCare claims or to change TennCare MCOs.
Tennessee Health Care Campaign
1-877-431-7083
1103 Chapel Avenue, Nashville, 37206
Works for affordable, continuous, and high-quality health care for all Tennesseans through research, education, and public and individual advocacy.
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