CMS Approves Amendment to TennCare III

CMS approved an amendment to TennCare III to enhance healthcare access and support for TennCare members.

Nashville, TN — The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) approved a significant amendment to Tennessee’s Medicaid Waiver, TennCare III, aimed at enhancing healthcare access and support for TennCare members.

The amendment is part of Governor Lee’s Strong Families Initiative, approved by the General Assembly in 2023, to strengthen Tennessee’s support for families. With this approval, more parents and caregivers will qualify for TennCare beginning June 1, 2024. Additionally, effective in August 2024, TennCare will become the first Medicaid agency in the nation to cover the cost of diapers (up to 100 diapers per month) for TennCare and CoverKids members under two years old. These new initiatives aim to ease financial burdens for families and ensure the well-being of TennCare’s youngest members.

TennCare can now proceed with finalizing key details for the diaper benefit and will provide further information on how to obtain diapers once the initiative is ready to launch. For further inquiries, please email amy.s.lawrence@tn.gov.

Source: Read Original Release

Tennessee Promise FAFSA Deadline Extended

The Tennessee Higher Education Commission has extended the FAFSA deadline for the Tennessee Promise scholarship to May 31, providing high school seniors more time to apply for the tuition-free program amidst complications from the new FAFSA implementation.