CoverTN is the product for Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen’s Cover Tennessee program. This plan design is not intended to be a low-cost alternative to traditional insurance, but an affordable option for those who otherwise couldn’t afford coverage at all. Therefore, these plans have eligibility requirements that were established by State legislation that must be met in order to obtain this limited benefit coverage.

BeginningJan. 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.

Basic CoverTN Employer qualifications:

• The employer must have 50 or fewer full-time employee equivalents (FTEs).
• At least half of employees must earn $43,000 per year or less
• The Employer must either: 1) have been without coverage for the past 6 months, or 2) had coverage where the mployer contributed less than 50% of premiums.
• The employer must agree to abide by the program guidelines, and
• The business must be located and operate in Tennessee as its principal place of business.

Basic qualifications for self-employed individuals:

• Must work at least 20 hours a week on average
• Must be a U.S. citizen or qualified alien
• Must earn $43,000 per year or less
• Must not have existing health coverage (individual or group)
• Must not have had health coverage within the last six months
• Must permanently reside in Tennessee
• Must agree to be directly billed for two-thirds of the premium

Basic Qualifications for employees of participating employers:

• Qualifies regardless of income
• Must be a resident of Tennessee or a bordering state
• Must work an average of 20 hours a week
• Must be a U.S. Citizen or qualified alien
• Must not have had health coverage in past 6 months
• Must commit to paying 1/3 of premiums (unless employer does)
• Must not have existing health coverage

Basic Qualifications for employees of non-participating employers

• Must earn $43,000 per year or less 
• Must permanently reside in Tennessee
• Must work an average of 20 hours a week
• Must be a U.S. Citizen or qualified alien
• Must not have had health coverage in past 6 months
• Must agree to be billed directly for 2/3 of premiums
• Must not have existing health coverage
• Must not have access to employer-sponsored health coverage