Tennessee Medicaid: TennCare Income Limits

Apr 12

TennCare Income Limits

To qualify for Medicaid long-term care benefits under the TennCare CHOICES program, an applicant must demonstrate financial need by documenting his or her monthly income and total assets. Both income and assets must be below certain limits in order to qualify for TennCare CHOICES.

Tennessee’s Medicaid program is TennCare

Each state administers its own Medicaid program, so the rules and regulations governing Medicaid vary from state to state. Tennessee’s Medicaid program is called TennCare. Tennessee is an “income cap state” for purposes of Medicaid eligibility. This means that to qualify for assistance from TennCare CHOICES, an applicant’s pre-tax monthly income must be below an amount set by law. For 2019, this number $2,313*. If an applicant needs help paying for long-term care and makes more money than $2,313* each month, he or she may qualify for assistance by using a Miller Trust or Qualified Income Trust (QIT).Determining income eligibility is just one piece of the TennCare/Medicaid puzzle. An applicant must also prove medical need and asset eligibility. The rules surrounding assets are complex, so it is wise to consult an elder law attorney familiar with Medicaid and TennCare to ensure the best outcome and maximize savings.*Medicaid/TennCare figures are subject to change over time. To determine eligibility, always make sure you are working with the latest TennCare and Medicaid figures.

Amelia Crotwell, JD

Amelia Crotwell, founder and managing partner at Elder Law of East Tennessee, has guided families through long-term care and special needs challenges for nearly two decades. Specializing in Life Care Planning and special needs trusts, Amelia also collaborates across all areas of elder law, including wills, trusts, Medicare, Medicaid, probate, and veterans benefits planning. Certified as an Elder Law Attorney since 2011, she is president-elect of the Life Care Planning Law Firms Association and co-chair of their strategic planning committee. Amelia is deeply involved in the Special Needs Alliance and a prominent member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. She played a key role in founding the Tennessee chapter of NAELA, serving as its first president. A member of the Tennessee Bar Association and past chair of its Elder Law Section Executive Council, Amelia also dedicates time to pro bono work and community education. She earned her J.D., summa cum laude, from the University of Tennessee College of Law and teaches Elder Law there as an adjunct professor since 2018.