Tennessee Medicaid

About this resource

Medicaid is basic health insurance that is available to foster youth or former foster youth who are eligible.

Free Health Coverage for Former Foster Youth in Tennessee

If you were in foster care, you may be able to get free health insurance through TennCare (Tennessee’s Medicaid program) until you turn 26 years old.

Here’s how it works:

If you aged out of foster care in Tennessee:

You automatically stay covered by TennCare until age 26, as long as you were on TennCare when you turned 18.

If you aged out of foster care in another state:

You may still qualify for TennCare if you aged out on or after January 1, 2023, and had Medicaid coverage in that state when you turned 18.

This coverage includes doctor visits, prescriptions, mental health services, and more—at no cost to you.

If you’re unsure how to apply or want to check if you qualify, contact TennCare or a local support organization for help.

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires states to provide young adults under 26 with free health care if they were in foster care at age 18 or older. This ensures that former foster youth can access the health care services they need – just like non-foster youth who can stay on their parents’ insurance plans until 26.

Youth who aged out of foster care at age 18 while getting Medicaid can get TennCare coverage until they are 26 years old if they: