Jackson, Tennessee (May 19, 2023) – To All Tennesseans who receive TennCare or Medicaid benefits:
In following its Mission Statement to improve the health and well-being of the communities we serve, West Tennessee Healthcare would like to notify the public of the end of the federal Public Health Emergency, and how it may affect some Tennesseans.
The State of Tennessee’s Division of TennCare must see if you still qualify for coverage each year. Coverage may mean benefits from TennCare, CoverKids, Medicare Savings Plan, or Katie Beckett.
The federal government has decided to formally end the Public Health Emergency period in 2023, and will require TennCare and Medicaid beneficiaries, including those in Tennessee, to re-enroll and renew benefits. According to the tn.gov/tenncare website, the current Phase III of this plan includes a mailed letter to TennCare members to notify each of this update. This ‘unwinding’ of benefits may cause a lapse in Medicaid coverage, if the patient does not re-enroll. TennCare’s priorities during this time of transition include minimizing gaps in healthcare coverage in an effort to further its mission of improving lives through high-quality, cost-effective care.
TennCare’s web portal, TennCare Connect, recommends filling out the Renewal Packet in its entirety and answering all the questions that you can.
For enrollment questions through TennCare Connect or this renewal package, please call TennCare Connect at 855-259-0701.
Sources:
“Unwinding of the Public Health Emergency- Information for Partners”, 5/5/2023
“Member/ Applicant [Services]”, 5/5/2023
TennCare has created a step-by-step guide to finding patients’ renewal dates in the system.
Other key messages for hospitals to communicate to patients are:
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