Can you have TennCare and Medicare at the same time?
Asked by: Camryn Boyle DVM | Last update: January 20, 2026Score: 4.4/5 (8 votes)
Does TennCare pay secondary to Medicare?
In these cases, one of the third parties is “primary” and the other is “secondary.” TennCare is almost always the “payer of last resort,”2 meaning that TennCare is almost always secondary to other third party payers (commercial insurance, Medicare) that may be obligated to pay for an enrollee's health care.
Will I lose my Medicaid if I get Medicare?
People who have both Medicare and full Medicaid coverage are “dually eligible.” Medicare pays first when you're a dual eligible and you get Medicare-covered services. Medicaid pays last, after Medicare and any other health insurance you have.
Is TennCare considered Medicaid or Medicare?
TennCare is the state of Tennessee's Medicaid program. It provides healthcare to mostly low-income pregnant women, parents or caretakers of a minor child, children, and individuals who are elderly or have a disability. To get Medicaid, you must meet the income and resource limits. You can apply anytime for TennCare.
Can you have TennCare and other health insurance?
Can you be on TennCare and have other insurance? Yes.
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How to get Medicare and Medicaid in Tennessee?
There are three ways you can apply for TennCare Medicaid and Medicare Savings Programs (MSP). You can apply online, over the phone, or with a paper application.
How does TennCare verify income?
Some states use a computerized system to cross reference a Medicaid applicant's reported income. For instance, in California, an electronic database, the Income Eligibility Verification System (IEVS), is used to match the income information provided by the applicant to other databases to verify it is accurate.
What is considered low income in Tennessee?
A full-time employee, for example, earning the minimum wage of $7.25/hour in Tennessee (last increase was in 2008) earns $15,080/year - considered very low income if they are a single person household. With dependent(s), their income level is extremely low income.
Why do some people have both Medicare and Medicaid?
Medicare-Medicaid enrollees include people ages 65 and over who are in relatively good health but have limited financial resources and people who at one time, may have had more financial resources, but spent their income and wealth on health or long-term care costs.
Is it better to be on Medicare or Medicaid?
While Medicare is the primary payer for medical needs, Medicaid can cover costs that Medicare coverage does not. When you visit a provider that takes both Medicare and Medicaid, Medicare pays first for the cost of your care. Medicaid pays second, covering copays and other costs not covered.
What is considered an asset for TennCare?
To qualify for TennCare, an applicant may only have a certain amount of liquid assets such as cash or money in a checking or savings account, usually around $2,000 depending on state rules.
What is a good secondary insurance to go with Medicare?
- Best for extra plan benefits: Humana.
- Best for straightforward coverage: State Farm.
- Best for extensive medical care coverage: AARP by UnitedHealthcare.
- Best for a range of Medigap plans: Blue Cross Blue Shield.
What is TennCare Medicare Savings Program?
What is a Medicare Savings Program? Medicare Beneficiaries may qualify through TennCare for programs that may help pay for their Medicare Part A and Part B premiums, deductibles, and/or coinsurance costs.
Will Medicaid kick me off if I make too much?
States have the option to establish a “medically needy program” for individuals with significant health needs whose income is too high to otherwise qualify for Medicaid under other eligibility groups.
What age does TennCare cut off?
TennCare Standard is only available for children under age 19 who are already enrolled in TennCare Medicaid and: Who lack access to group health insurance through their parent's employer, or.
Does TennCare have to be paid back?
Whose estate has to pay TennCare (Medicaid) back for their care? TennCare must pursue estate recovery after the death of individuals who are age 55 or older and for whom TennCare paid for services in a nursing facility or home/community based setting.
Does TennCare go by gross or net income?
Income eligibility for certain TennCare Medicaid categories and CoverKids is determined using the Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) methodology. In general, countable income includes income types that are taxable under federal tax law and excluded income includes income types that are non– taxable.
Who can have both Medicare and Medicaid?
To be eligible to receive both Medicare and Medicaid, a person must qualify for either partial-dual or full-dual coverage. Eligibility for partial-dual coverage depends on the support that a person receives from Medicaid. Examples of the varied coverage may include: Part A premium (if applicable)
What adults qualify for TennCare?
Answer: True, TennCare is health insurance coverage to very low-income children, pregnant women, seniors and people with disabilities, including women diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer through the Breast & Cervical Cancer Screening Program.
How often does Medicaid check your bank account?
Medicaid agencies can check your account balances for bank accounts at any financial institution you've used in the past five years. They will check when you submit an application and on an annual basis, but checks can occur at any time.