Tennessee State Health Insurance Assistance Program (TN SHIP)
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Medicare and health costs
Medicare Savings Programs in Tennessee
TennCare runs three Medicare Savings Programs that pay your Medicare Part B premium, and with QMB also your Part A premium, deductibles and coinsurance.
Tennessee uses the federal income and savings limits; it takes $20 off your income before comparing it with its limits, so its numbers look $20 lower than federal charts. You can apply online through TennCare Connect, by phone, or on a paper form.
How to apply in Tennessee
- By phone
- 1-855-259-0701
- In person
- Your local health department can help you apply in person.
- By mail
- Mail the paper application to TennCare Connect, P.O. Box 305240, Nashville, TN 37230-5240, or fax it to 1-855-315-0669.
Applying is free. Nobody should charge you to apply.
Apply on the official siteWho may qualify in Tennessee
| 2026 figures | One person | Married couple |
|---|---|---|
| QMB income limit | $1,330 a month (after the first $20 of income is set aside) | $1,804 a month (after the first $20 of income is set aside) |
| SLMB income limit | Under $1,596 a month (after the first $20 of income is set aside) | Under $2,164 a month (after the first $20 of income is set aside) |
| QI income limit | Under $1,796 a month (after the first $20 of income is set aside) | Under $2,435 a month (after the first $20 of income is set aside) |
| Savings limit | $9,950 | $14,910 |
Source: Division of TennCare (source 1)
What you may get
| What QMB pays | Your Medicare Part A premium (if you pay one), Part B premium, deductibles and coinsurance |
|---|---|
| What SLMB pays | Your Part B premium only |
| What QI 1 pays | Your Part B premium only, and only if you are not getting other TennCare Medicaid |
Source: Division of TennCare (source 2)
Good to know
- TennCare's income limits are 100%, 120% and 135% of the federal poverty level, checked after a $20 deduction from your income. So $1,330 for QMB lines up with the federal limit of $1,350, and the other limits line up the same way.
- For free help applying, you can call the Tennessee State Health Insurance Assistance Program (TN SHIP) at 1-877-801-0044.
Source: Division of TennCare (source 2)
Free help
Free help with this in Tennessee
Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging
Your local Area Agency on Aging can help with meals, rides, help at home, caregiver support and applying for benefits.
More help in Tennessee
Medicare Savings Programs in another state
- Alabama
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Sources
- Division of TennCare, TennCare Eligibility Reference Guide (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- Division of TennCare, Aged, Blind and Disabled Manual 120.010: Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- Division of TennCare, How Do I Apply for TennCare? (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
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