TennCare Income Limits 2026 (Tennessee Medicaid)

TennCare covers approximately 1.5 million Tennesseans through managed care organizations, making it one of the largest public health programs in the state. Unlike Medicaid programs in the 40 expansion states and the District of Columbia, TennCare does not cover non-pregnant, non-disabled adults on the basis of income alone. Tennessee is one of 10 remaining non-expansion states as of 2026, meaning a healthy adult without dependent children who earns below 100% of the Federal Poverty Level ($15,960 for one person in 2026) cannot qualify for TennCare and also cannot receive ACA marketplace premium tax credits, which require income at or above 100% FPL. This leaves an estimated 150,000 to 200,000 Tennesseans in the ACA coverage gap, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.

TennCare uses the Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) methodology for most non-elderly, non-disabled enrollees, which means there is no asset test for parents, children, and pregnant women. The 2026 Federal Poverty Level (FPL) for the 48 contiguous states is $15,960 for a household of one and increases by $5,680 for each additional person. Tennessee sets the parent and caretaker relative income limit at exactly 100% FPL. Pregnant women qualify at the more generous 250% FPL threshold. Children face age-tiered limits: infants under age one qualify at 195% FPL, children ages one through five at 142% FPL, and children ages six through 18 at 133% FPL. Tennessee's CoverKids program extends coverage for children and certain pregnant women through the state's CHIP allocation up to 250% FPL. The income limits below use the adult column to show the parent or caretaker relative threshold, the children's column to show the highest child-age-group threshold (195% FPL for infants), and the pregnancy column to show the 250% FPL threshold.

Tennessee's Division of TennCare administers TennCare through three managed care organizations. TennCare members receive services through a single MCO assigned at enrollment, which covers physician visits, hospital care, prescription drugs, mental health and substance use disorder services, dental care for children, vision, and long-term services and supports (CHOICES program for elderly and physically disabled Tennesseans). Applications for TennCare, CoverKids, and Medicare Savings Programs all go through the TennCare Connect portal at tenncareconnect.tn.gov. Tennesseans who believe they fall into the coverage gap can explore CoverRx, a limited state pharmacy assistance program covering about 200 generic drugs for adults ages 19 to 64 earning at or below 138% FPL who do not qualify for full TennCare benefits.

TennCare (Tennessee Medicaid) income limits by household size (2026)

TennCare income limits by household size (2026). Adult column = parent or caretaker relative threshold (100% FPL, the actual TennCare limit for this group). Children column = highest TennCare child threshold (195% FPL, ages 0-1). Pregnancy column = TennCare pregnant women threshold (250% FPL). Tennessee is a non-expansion state: non-disabled adults without a dependent child do not qualify regardless of income.

TennCare (Tennessee Medicaid) eligibility requirements (non-income)

TennCare eligibility requires meeting both categorical and income criteria. Because Tennessee has not expanded Medicaid, simply having a low income is not sufficient. An applicant must belong to a covered group AND meet the income limit for that group. The main non-income requirements are listed below.

• Tennessee residency: Applicants must be Tennessee residents at the time of application. Residency means living in Tennessee with the intent to remain, or entering the state with a job or looking for work. Temporary or transitional addresses are acceptable with supporting documentation.
• U.S. citizenship or qualifying immigration status: TennCare covers U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, and certain lawfully present immigrants (LPRs with 5 years or more of qualifying status, refugees, asylees, COFA residents, and certain other categories). Undocumented immigrants do not qualify for full TennCare, though Emergency Medicaid is available for emergency services regardless of immigration status.
• Social Security Number: Every household member applying for TennCare must provide or apply for a Social Security Number. Children who do not yet have an SSN can apply for one through the Social Security Administration at the same time as the TennCare application.
• Categorical group membership: Tennessee is a non-expansion state. Covered groups for adults include (1) parents or caretaker relatives of a child under 18 or a full-time student who is 18, (2) pregnant women, (3) individuals receiving SSI or meeting SSI financial criteria (aged 65+, blind, or disabled), and (4) individuals aged 65 or older or with Medicare needing Medicare Savings Program assistance. Non-disabled, non-pregnant adults without dependent children cannot qualify for TennCare.
• Asset test: No asset test applies to MAGI-based TennCare categories (parents, children, pregnant women). An asset test does apply to SSI-related and institutional Medicaid categories (aged, blind, disabled, long-term care). The federal floor asset limits are $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for a couple for SSI-related categories. Long-term care Medicaid (nursing home) uses the standard countable-resource rules with spousal protections.
• Other health insurance: Applicants are not required to be uninsured to apply for TennCare, but TennCare is generally a payer of last resort. Individuals with available employer-sponsored insurance that is deemed cost-effective may be required to enroll in that coverage first. Cost-effectiveness rules do not apply to most MAGI categories for parents, children, and pregnant women.

What income counts for TennCare (Tennessee Medicaid)

TennCare uses the Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) methodology for non-elderly, non-disabled enrollee categories (parents, children, and pregnant women). MAGI is essentially the tax-filer's Adjusted Gross Income plus certain deductions added back in. Tennessee does not apply a 5% FPL disregard on top of these thresholds (unlike many expansion states that post thresholds at approximately 143% FPL). The 100% FPL parent threshold and 250% FPL pregnancy threshold are the effective posted limits. SSI-related and long-term care categories use different income-counting rules, including income disregards specific to those programs.

Income sources included

• Wages, salaries, and tips (all W-2 employment income before deductions).
• Self-employment net earnings (gross receipts minus allowable business expenses, as reported on Schedule C or Schedule F of the federal tax return).
• Social Security retirement and survivor benefits (the gross amount before Medicare Part B premium is deducted, even if the net check is lower).
• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. Note: SSDI counts as MAGI income. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) does NOT count as MAGI income (see excluded list below).
• Pensions, annuities, and retirement distributions (taxable portion of distributions from 401(k), 403(b), IRA, and similar accounts).
• Unemployment compensation (all unemployment insurance benefits received).
• Interest income, dividends, capital gains, and rental net income (taxable amounts as reported on federal Schedule B, Schedule D, and Schedule E).
• Alimony received under divorce or separation agreements finalized before January 1, 2019 (agreements finalized after that date: alimony is not taxable income under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and therefore does not count as MAGI).

Income sources excluded

• Supplemental Security Income (SSI): SSI payments do not count as MAGI income. SSI itself is one of the pathways to automatic TennCare enrollment; SSI recipients qualify for TennCare separately from MAGI categories.
• Child support received: Child support payments received from an absent parent do not count as income for TennCare MAGI purposes.
• Veterans' benefits: VA disability compensation, GI Bill housing and education benefits, and VA pension payments do not count as MAGI income.
• Workers' compensation: Payments received from workers' compensation insurance following a work injury are excluded from MAGI income.
• TANF cash assistance: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families cash benefits do not count as MAGI income for TennCare purposes.
• Gifts, inheritances, and loan proceeds: One-time gifts, inheritances received, or loan proceeds (including student loans) are not counted as MAGI income.
• Foster care payments: Payments received for the care of a foster child are excluded from MAGI income calculations.

How to apply for TennCare (Tennessee Medicaid) in Tennessee

TennCare applications go through TennCare Connect, the official online portal operated by the Tennessee Division of TennCare, at tenncareconnect.tn.gov. The same application captures eligibility for TennCare Medicaid, CoverKids (CHIP), and Medicare Savings Programs. Applicants can also call TennCare Connect at 855-259-0701, submit a paper application by mail, or apply in person at a local Department of Health office. Pregnant women may qualify through presumptive eligibility, which allows some providers to grant temporary coverage while the full application is processed.

1. 1. Gather your documents before you begin. Collect photo ID for every adult in the household, Social Security Numbers for everyone applying, proof of Tennessee residency (utility bill, lease, or government letter dated within 60 days), proof of income for the last 30 days (pay stubs, employer letter, or self-employment records), and proof of citizenship or qualifying immigration status (birth certificate, passport, or permanent resident card).
2. 2. Create an account at tenncareconnect.tn.gov. Click 'Create an Account,' enter your email address and create a password. If you do not have internet access, call 855-259-0701 to apply by phone.
3. 3. Complete the online application. List every household member, report all income from all sources, provide Social Security Numbers, and answer questions about citizenship, residency, and current health insurance. The application takes approximately 30 to 60 minutes to complete.
4. 4. Submit the application electronically. TennCare Connect will send a confirmation number to your account and email. Save this number; you will need it to check your application status.
5. 5. Respond promptly to any requests for additional documentation. TennCare may send a verification checklist by mail or to your TennCare Connect inbox if the system cannot electronically verify income, residency, or citizenship. You typically have 10 days to respond before the case is denied for failure to provide information.
6. 6. Await the eligibility determination notice. TennCare has up to 45 days to decide most applications (90 days for disability-based applications). Pregnancy applications may qualify for presumptive eligibility, allowing temporary coverage while the full review is completed.

Official portal: tenncareconnect.tn.gov

Documents needed

• Photo ID for every adult applicant (Tennessee driver's license, state ID, military ID, or passport).
• Social Security Numbers for every household member applying for coverage (children who do not yet have an SSN can apply for one simultaneously).
• Proof of Tennessee residency dated within the last 60 days (utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or government correspondence).
• Proof of U.S. citizenship or qualifying immigration status (U.S. birth certificate, U.S. passport, Certificate of Naturalization, or lawful permanent resident card).
• Last 30 days of income documentation: pay stubs from every employer, employer letter stating gross wages and hours, or (for self-employed applicants) profit-and-loss statement, most recent federal tax return, or 90 days of bank statements.
• Documentation of other income: Social Security or SSI award letter, pension or retirement distribution statement, unemployment insurance letter, child support order (if applicable), and VA benefit award letter.

Processing timeline: TennCare has up to 45 days to process most Medicaid applications from the date a complete application is received. Disability-based applications require a medical determination and can take up to 90 days. Pregnancy applications may be processed under presumptive eligibility, allowing a qualified provider to grant temporary TennCare coverage within days while the full application is reviewed. CoverKids applications follow the same 45-day timeline. Applicants may check status at any time through their TennCare Connect account or by calling 855-259-0701. If TennCare issues a 10-day information request, responding promptly is critical to avoid denial.

Common reasons applications get denied

• Income above the applicable categorical threshold: household income exceeds 100% FPL for parents or caretakers, or exceeds the applicable children's age-tier limit, or exceeds 250% FPL for pregnant women.
• No qualifying categorical group: the applicant is a non-disabled adult without a dependent child and is not pregnant. Tennessee is a non-expansion state. This is the most common reason childless adults are denied TennCare.
• Failure to respond to a 10-day documentation request: TennCare cannot verify income, residency, or citizenship electronically and sends a checklist. If the applicant does not respond within 10 days, the case is denied for failure to provide information.
• Failure to meet Tennessee residency requirements: the applicant cannot document a Tennessee address or has moved out of state.
• Immigration status bar: the applicant is not a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or qualifying lawfully present immigrant. Newly arrived lawful permanent residents are subject to a 5-year federal bar for most Medicaid categories.

If your child's income exceeds the TennCare limit, CoverKids may help

Tennessee CoverKids is the state's Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), covering children under age 19 and certain pregnant women whose household income is above TennCare limits but at or below 250% of the Federal Poverty Level. For a family of four in 2026, 250% FPL is $82,500 per year ($6,875 per month). CoverKids is administered through the same TennCare managed care organizations and uses the same TennCare Connect application at tenncareconnect.tn.gov. Coverage under CoverKids includes the same comprehensive benefit package as TennCare Medicaid, including doctor visits, hospital care, dental, vision, mental health, and prescription drugs. There is no monthly premium for most CoverKids enrollees. Children who already qualify for TennCare Medicaid are automatically enrolled in TennCare rather than CoverKids. Both programs require 12 months of continuous eligibility under the federal mandate effective January 2024.

Compare CHIP and Medicaid income limits across all 50 states

If you have Medicare and limited income, Tennessee Medicare Savings Programs can reduce your costs

Tennessee administers three Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) through TennCare for low-income Medicare beneficiaries. MSPs pay Medicare Part A and Part B premiums and, in some cases, deductibles and copayments. The three tiers are: Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB), for individuals with income at or below 100% FPL (approximately $1,350 per month for one person in 2026), which pays Part A and Part B premiums plus most cost-sharing; Specified Low Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB), for income between 100% and 120% FPL (up to approximately $1,616 per month for one person), which pays Part B premiums only; and Qualifying Individual 1 (QI-1), for income between 120% and 135% FPL (up to approximately $1,816 per month for one person), which also pays Part B premiums. Resource limits apply to all three tiers: approximately $9,950 for an individual and $14,910 for a couple. Apply for all three through TennCare Connect at tenncareconnect.tn.gov or by calling 855-259-0701. MSP enrollment also qualifies beneficiaries for the federal Part D Low Income Subsidy (Extra Help), which can reduce drug costs to near zero.

Read the Medicare eligibility and savings programs guide

Frequently Asked Questions