Premium Assistance

Premium Assistance

The General Assembly has appropriated $13 million in funds for premium assistance to make monthly premiums more affordable for low-income participants. Preliminarily, the State's Board of Directors have made some determinations about how the premium assistance program will be structured with more deliberation to follow.

Among these early decisions, the State's Board of Directors has determined that premium assistance:

  •  Will be available for applicants up to 350% of federal poverty level, up to an annual household income of $72,275.
  • Is limited to available funding; not all of those meeting eligibility criteria will necessarily qualify.
  •  Will range from 20% of premium to 90% of premium based on household income.
  •  Will only be available for Plan 1000, which has the lowest deductible and highest premiums.

To create incentives toward healthier behavior and to maximize funds available to help lower-income participants, the Board has decided that premium assistance funds will be allocated based on the amount of a non-smoking participant at target weight or below.

Income Guidelines for Premium Assistance

Persons in Household Federal Poverty Level (FPL) 150% FPL 200% FPL 250% FPL
1 $10,210 $15,315 $20,420 $25,525
2 $13,690 $20,535 $27,380 $34,225
3 $17,170 $25,755 $34,340 $42,925
4 $20,650 $30,975 $41,300 $51, 625
5 $24,130 $36,195 $48,260 up to $60,000
6 $27,610 $41,415 $55,220 up to $60,000
7 $31,090 $46,635 up to $60,000 up to $60,000
8 $34,570 $51,855 up to $60,000 up to $60,000
Premium Assistance 75% non-tobacco at target weight or below 70% non-tobacco at target weight or below 50% non-tobacco at target weight or below 30% non-tobacco at target weight or below
Applicant would pay 25% non-tobacco at target weight or below + variation based on weight and tobacco status; subject to maximum contribution 30% non-tobacco at target weight or below + variation based on weight and tobacco status; subject to maximum contribution 50% non-tobacco at target weight or below + variation based on weight and tobacco status; subject to maximum contribution 70% non-tobacco at target weight or below + variation based on weight and tobacco status; subject to maximum contribution

For more information

  • E-mail us at accesstn@bcbst.com Email Policy.
  • Call us  toll-free at 1-866-636-0080 (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern Time).
  • By mail
    AccessTN
    c/o BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee
    801 Pine St.
    Chattanooga, TN 37402
Page Modified:February 26, 2008