Beginning Jan. 1, 2008, people earning $43,000 or less whose employers don’t offer insurance will qualify, as will some employers that employ 50 or fewer people and meet other guidelines. Previously, the program was only open to employers with 25 or fewer employees.

For Employers to become participating, they must first qualify to offer CoverTN plans. Then, employees must also qualify individually in order to purchase these plans from their employers.

Here’s how it works:

• Employers must visit www.covertn.gov  and download the online qualification form to the State of Tennessee.
• Employers then complete the form and fax it to 615-253-8556 or mail it to:
  

  CoverTN Employer Verification
  Department of Finance and Administration
  Division of Insurance Administration
  26^th Floor, Tennessee Tower
  312 8^th Ave. N.
  Nashville, TN 37243

• The State verifies eligibility and notifies employer
• BlueCross mails qualified employers an enrollment packet that includes a Employer Participation Agreement and some employee applications.
• Employer mails to BlueCross the completed Employer Participation Agreement & completed employee applications.
• BlueCross enrolls employees and begins debiting the employer’s bank account for future monthly premiums.

Employees of non-participating employers:

• Go to www.covertn.gov and complete the qualification form  to see if you qualifiy. You can also call 1-866-268-3786 to request an application. 
• Once you have been qualified by the state, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee will mail you an enrollment packet. 
• Fill out the applications and Participation Agreement found in the packet and return to BlueCross.  

For more information on CoverTN health plans, call us at 1-888-887-3224, or contact State at 1-866-CoverTN or 1-866-268-3786 (covertn.gov ).