Health insurance help for Tennessee residents
Compare Medicare, health insurance marketplace plans and Medicaid in Tennessee, with a guide for every county and each major city, reviewed by a licensed agent.
- Reviewed by Richard Lander, licensed agent (NPN 21255551)
- No cost to call
- No obligation to enroll
What is different about coverage in Tennessee
TennCare, Tennessee's Medicaid program, and CoverKids, Tennessee's children's health insurance program, are both administered by the state, while Tennessee residents shop for ACA coverage through the federal HealthCare.gov Marketplace. Tennessee Medical Insurance is free to use for Tennessee callers working through Medicare, ACA, life, or supplemental coverage questions.
- TennCare (Medicaid) and CoverKids (CHIP) can both be applied for at TennCareConnect.tn.gov or by calling 1-800-342-3145 -- that's the right place to start if your Tennessee Medicaid eligibility changed.
- Tennessee never built its own ACA exchange, so Tennessee marketplace shopping and subsidy questions go entirely through the federal HealthCare.gov Marketplace.
- Free Medicare counseling is available in Tennessee through the Tennessee State Health Insurance Assistance Program (TN SHIP) at 1-877-801-0044, separate from Tennessee Medical Insurance's own free phone help.
Worth knowing: Tennessee's children's health coverage program has its own distinct name, CoverKids, rather than being folded entirely into the TennCare brand -- worth knowing since a household can qualify for CoverKids even in situations where adult members don't qualify for TennCare.
Coverage questions we help Tennessee residents with
Health plans (ACA marketplace)
How Tennessee’s marketplace works, who qualifies for help with costs, and when you can enroll.
Medicare
Turning 65, Medicare Advantage, Medigap and drug plans, with Tennessee’s free counseling program.
Medicaid
Where to apply in Tennessee, and what to do when your coverage changes.
Tennessee by county
Medicare Advantage plans and marketplace premiums are set county by county, so the plans open to you depend on where in Tennessee you live. Start with your county.
Major Tennessee cities
Tennessee colleges and universities
- University of Tennessee, Knoxville
- Middle Tennessee State University
- University of Memphis
- Tennessee Technological University
- East Tennessee State University
- Tennessee State University
State bird: Northern Mockingbird
Mimus polyglottos. Tennessee’s official state bird, shown here as a local touch.
Photo: Charles Homler d/b/a Focus On Wildlife (CC BY 4.0), via Wikimedia CommonsCommon Tennessee questions
Where do I shop for ACA health plans in Tennessee?
Tennessee residents shop through HealthCare.gov (federal Marketplace) (https://www.healthcare.gov/tennessee/). An independent agent such as Lander LLC can explain the plans for you, but the marketplace is the only place premium tax credits are applied.
How do I apply for Medicaid in Tennessee?
Medicaid in Tennessee is run through TennCare (https://www.tn.gov/tenncare.html). Eligibility depends on income, household size and other factors, and it is decided by the state, not by an insurance agency.
Who regulates insurance in Tennessee?
Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance (https://www.tn.gov/commerce.html) regulates insurance companies and agents in Tennessee. You can use it to check that an agent or company is licensed and to file a complaint.
Is there free, unbiased Medicare help in Tennessee?
Yes. TN SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) (1-877-801-0044) offers free Medicare counseling through the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), separate from any insurance agency.
Does Tennessee Medical Insurance cost anything to use?
There is no cost to call or to speak with an agent. Insurance premiums and plan costs are set by the insurance companies and are separate from our help.
Talk with a licensed agent about Tennessee coverage
Call Lander LLC to go over your options. There is no cost to call or to speak with an agent, and you are never required to enroll in anything.
Call 855-367-1095Reviewed by Richard Lander, licensed insurance agent (NPN 21255551), Lander LLC. Last updated October 3, 2026. This page is educational and is not a quote, an offer of coverage, or legal or tax advice.