Who can get TennCare in Memphis?
- Parents and caretaker relatives of a child under 18 who lives with them, with income up to 100% of the poverty level
- Pregnant women with income up to 250% of the poverty level
- Children: TennCare Medicaid covers children up to 133% to 195% of the poverty level, depending on age, and CoverKids covers children under 19 up to 250%
- People who get SSI, people who qualify for long term care and people who need treatment for breast or cervical cancer
- Young adults under 26 who were in foster care
Adults without children who are not pregnant and do not get SSI usually do not qualify, even with very low income. TennCare says it accepts applications at any time. Apply through TennCare Connect or call 855-259-0701.
What if my income is too low for marketplace tax credits?
Marketplace tax credits generally start at 100% of the poverty level. If your income is below that and you do not fit a TennCare group, you may fall into what is called the coverage gap: no TennCare and no tax credit. You can still buy a marketplace plan, but at full price.
Census estimates show 23.1% of Memphis residents living below the poverty line and 16.9% of people under 65 without health insurance. Median household income in the city is $51,736.
Our tax credit calculator shows whether your income is in the range for credits and points you to TennCare when it is below. Credits are based on what you expect to earn for the whole year, so count side work, overtime and expected raises when you estimate.
Should I pick a bronze or silver plan in Shelby County?
| Measure | Shelby County | Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| People who picked a plan | 86,784 | 569,310 |
| Received a premium tax credit | 90.0% | 90.3% |
| Average monthly premium after credits | $128 | $141 |
| Premium of $10 a month or less after credits | 38.4% | 36.3% |
| Picked a bronze plan | 62.8% | 56.1% |
| Got extra savings on a silver plan | 31.5% | 34.6% |
Shelby County picked bronze plans more often than Tennessee as a whole. Bronze has the lowest monthly premium but the highest deductible, so you pay more of your care yourself until you reach it.
If your income is between 100% and 250% of the poverty level, a silver plan comes with extra savings called cost sharing reductions, which lower your deductible and copays. You only get them on a silver plan. Compare a silver plan's yearly costs with bronze before you choose the lower premium.
Which plans do Baptist and Methodist list?
Baptist Memorial Hospital-Memphis lists these exchange plans: Ambetter, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, BlueCross BlueShield of Arkansas, Molina Healthcare and Oscar. For Medicare Advantage it lists Aetna, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, BlueCross BlueShield of Arkansas, Devoted Health, Humana and Wellcare by Allwell in Arkansas.
UnitedHealthcare of Tennessee is on Baptist's TennCare and dual special needs plan lists, but not its exchange or Medicare Advantage lists. That does not prove it is out of network, but check before you enroll. Baptist also warns that an insurer can have a hospital only contract that leaves out Baptist's doctors, so check your doctors too.
Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare does not post a full list. It asks patients to contact their insurance company to find out whether their plan is in network.
How can an agent help Memphis residents?
An agent can check whether you are likely to qualify for TennCare or tax credits, price bronze and silver plans side by side, and look up your doctors and hospitals in each 2027 plan. Marketplace open enrollment runs November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027.
Health Insurance Solutions agents are licensed in 22 states and help by phone and online. Marketplace plans cost the same with or without an agent, so the comparison does not add to your premium.
Insurers and hospitals mentioned
Explore the organizations or brands discussed in this article. A mention does not mean every plan or location is covered.
- Hospital · TennesseeBaptist Memorial Hospital
- Insurer · TennesseeAmbetter of Tennessee
- Insurer · TennesseeBlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee
- Insurer · TennesseeUnitedHealthcare
- Medicare Advantage · TennesseeBlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee
- Medicare Advantage · TennesseeDevoted Health
- Medicare Advantage · TennesseeHumana
- Medicare Advantage · TennesseeUnitedHealthcare
- Small-group insurer · TennesseeBlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee
- Small-group insurer · TennesseeUnitedHealthcare Ins Co of River Valley
- Small-group insurer · TennesseeUnitedHealthcare Insurance Company
See our Individual & Family plans
Major medical coverage for you and your household, with subsidies applied where you qualify.2027 health insurance subsidy calculator
Enter your state, household size and income to see your 2027 expected premium, your savings and whether Medicaid may apply.Health insurance in Tennessee
Marketplace, Medicaid and Medicare rules for the whole state.We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.
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