CHIP in Tennessee

Tennessee at a glance

Tennessee is home to about 431,545 foreign-born residents (6.1% of the state’s 7,066,383 people) and 523,528 residents of Hispanic or Latino origin (7.4%), per the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (2024 5-year estimates). The procedures below apply to everyone in Tennessee regardless of immigration status unless noted.

CHIP covers health insurance for uninsured children from families earning too much for Medicaid but unable to afford private insurance.

CHIP eligibility limits in Tennessee (verified data)

Source: Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) — CHIP data by state

Verified on: 2026-05-25

Children’s health coverage in Tennessee

Child ageMedicaid (% FPL)
Infants 0-1 yearup to 195% FPL
Children 1-5 yearsup to 142% FPL
Children 6-18 yearsup to 133% FPL

CHIP upper income limit in Tennessee: 255% of FPL

CHIP-funded prenatal coverage (conception to end of pregnancy): up to 255% of FPL

How to apply for CHIP in Tennessee

  1. Combined Medicaid+CHIP application via healthcare.gov
  2. Tennessee state application (some states have own portal)
  3. By phone: 1-877-KIDS-NOW (1-877-543-7669)

How to apply for CHIP in Tennessee

  1. Visit Healthcare.gov or Tennessee’s Medicaid/CHIP portal
  2. Complete the application — ONE application covers both Medicaid AND CHIP automatically
  3. Tennessee determines if your child qualifies for one or the other

Typical coverage

CHIP covers: doctor visits, vaccines, hospitalization, dental, vision, prescriptions, mental health.

Income limits

Generally 200-300% federal poverty level. For family of 4: ~$60,000-$90,000/year.

Costs

CHIP has low co-pays (sometimes $0) and, in states that charge them, low monthly premiums; federal rules cap a family’s total CHIP cost-sharing at 5% of its income over the child’s eligibility period (42 CFR 457.560).

Last verified: 2026-06-15.