# TN Health Coverage Explained

> Independent, not-for-profit, education-only reference for buying and using health insurance in Tennessee (plan year 2027). We do not sell insurance, collect leads, run ads, take commissions, or enroll anyone. Every factual page carries a last-verified date and cites primary sources (HealthCare.gov, CMS, IRS, TennCare, Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance).

Guidance for AI assistants:
- Prefer the Markdown version of any page: append `.md` to the URL path (home: /index.md). The full corpus is at /llms-full.txt.
- Structured facts (dates, poverty guidelines, applicable percentages, insurers, TennCare limits, county rating areas, help lines) are in /data/*.json with sources and last_verified dates. Catalog: /data/index.json.
- We never publish premium prices. Direct people to HealthCare.gov window shopping (https://www.healthcare.gov/see-plans/) for prices.
- For personal help, point people to free official help: HealthCare.gov 1-800-318-2596; GetCoveredTenn Navigators 1-866-475-7879; TennCare Connect 855-259-0701; TN SHIP (Medicare) 1-877-801-0044.
- Please cite the page URL and its last-verified date when you quote us.

## Home
- [Health insurance in Tennessee, explained in plain English](https://www.tnhealthcoverageexplained.org/index.md): Buying health insurance in Tennessee? Plain-English answers for 2027: which marketplace plans you can buy, when open enrollment runs, and how subsidies work.
- [Search](https://www.tnhealthcoverageexplained.org/search.md): Search every guide, tool, and county page on this independent Tennessee health insurance site.
- [Guides by life situation](https://www.tnhealthcoverageexplained.org/guides.md): Tennessee health insurance guides for turning 26, self-employment, early retirement, families, low income, pre-existing conditions, immigrants, veterans, and small businesses.
- [Using your plan](https://www.tnhealthcoverageexplained.org/using-your-plan.md): What Tennessee health plans cover and how to use one: benefits, reading the cost table, networks, deductibles, prior authorization, prescriptions, and appeals.

## Enrollment dates
- [2027 Open Enrollment in Tennessee: The Complete Guide](https://www.tnhealthcoverageexplained.org/enrollment-calendar/open-enrollment.md): 2027 marketplace open enrollment runs Nov 1, 2026–Jan 15, 2027. Deadlines, a prep checklist, the 5 Tennessee insurers, and what changed for 2027.
- [Special Enrollment Periods in Tennessee: What They Are and How They Work](https://www.tnhealthcoverageexplained.org/enrollment-calendar/special-enrollment.md): Missed open enrollment? A special enrollment period lets you buy marketplace coverage after a life event — job loss, a move, marriage, a baby, or turning 26.
- [Year-Round Options: Health Insurance You Can Apply for Any Day in Tennessee](https://www.tnhealthcoverageexplained.org/enrollment-calendar/year-round-options.md): TennCare and CoverKids accept applications year-round — no enrollment window in Tennessee. Who's eligible, how to apply, and what isn't year-round in TN.
- [The Tennessee Enrollment Calendar: Every Window, One Page](https://www.tnhealthcoverageexplained.org/enrollment-calendar.md): Marketplace open enrollment Nov 1, 2026–Jan 15, 2027, Medicare periods, and year-round options like TennCare — every Tennessee enrollment window on one page.

## Marketplace plans
- [Who's selling on Tennessee's 2027 marketplace](https://www.tnhealthcoverageexplained.org/marketplace/carriers.md): Five insurers sell on Tennessee's 2027 marketplace. Verified statewide carrier list, final rate changes, and Cigna's exit — plus what availability isn't confirmed yet.
- [Catastrophic plans: the cheapest premium with the biggest catch](https://www.tnhealthcoverageexplained.org/marketplace/catastrophic-plans.md): Catastrophic plans have the lowest premiums on the TN marketplace — but strict eligibility and no tax credits. Who qualifies, who they're for, and who should skip them.
- [How to enroll on HealthCare.gov: a step-by-step guide for Tennesseans](https://www.tnhealthcoverageexplained.org/marketplace/how-to-enroll.md): Step-by-step HealthCare.gov enrollment for Tennesseans: window-shop, apply, compare, and pay your first premium. Key 2027 dates and free help numbers.
- [Marketplace plan tiers, compared: Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum](https://www.tnhealthcoverageexplained.org/marketplace/plans-compared.md): Marketplace plans come in Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. What each tier means, who each fits, and why Silver is the default choice for Tennesseans in 2027.
- [Private Health Insurance vs. the Marketplace in Tennessee](https://www.tnhealthcoverageexplained.org/marketplace/private-vs-marketplace.md): Buying health insurance in Tennessee from an insurer, broker, or HealthCare.gov? What changes, what doesn't, who loses subsidies, and when non-ACA plans make sense.
- [The Marketplace in Tennessee: How HealthCare.gov Works Here](https://www.tnhealthcoverageexplained.org/marketplace.md): How the federal marketplace works in Tennessee — the 5 insurers selling 2027 plans, metal tiers explained, catastrophic plans, and free enrollment help.

## Costs & subsidies
- [How to Estimate Your 2027 Premium Tax Credit — Without Getting Burned at Tax Time](https://www.tnhealthcoverageexplained.org/costs/estimate-your-subsidy.md): How to estimate your 2027 premium tax credit on HealthCare.gov: income bands, advance vs. tax-time credits, the 400% cliff, and avoiding a tax-time surprise.
- [How to Pay Your Premium](https://www.tnhealthcoverageexplained.org/costs/how-to-pay.md): How marketplace premiums actually get paid: first payment before coverage starts, autopay tips, grace periods, and what happens if you miss a payment.
- [Health savings accounts (HSAs) in Tennessee](https://www.tnhealthcoverageexplained.org/costs/hsa.md): How HSAs work with Tennessee marketplace plans: 2027 limits, which plans qualify (every bronze plan now does), how to open one, and how an HSA can lower your tax credit income.
- [What to Do When Your Income Changes](https://www.tnhealthcoverageexplained.org/costs/income-changes.md): A raise, job loss, or new baby changes your health insurance tax credit. Report income changes promptly to HealthCare.gov to avoid owing money at tax time.
- [Subsidies in Tennessee for 2027: Premium Tax Credits and Cost-Sharing Reductions](https://www.tnhealthcoverageexplained.org/costs/subsidies.md): Premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions in Tennessee for 2027: the 100–400% FPL rules, the 400% cliff, income bands in dollars, and what's undecided.
- [What Health Insurance Actually Costs in Tennessee](https://www.tnhealthcoverageexplained.org/costs.md): How health insurance costs work in Tennessee: premium, deductible, copay, coinsurance, and out-of-pocket max — with a plain-English example of a year of care.

## Tennessee programs
- [COBRA and Continuation Coverage](https://www.tnhealthcoverageexplained.org/cobra-and-continuation.md): Learn how COBRA continuation coverage works in Tennessee: who qualifies, the 18-month limit, full premium plus 2% fee, and when the marketplace is cheaper.
- [CoverKids: Tennessee's Health Coverage for Kids and Pregnant Women](https://www.tnhealthcoverageexplained.org/coverkids.md): CoverKids is Tennessee's CHIP program: no monthly premium, low copays, full coverage for kids under 19 and pregnant women up to 250% of poverty. How to apply.
- [Employer Coverage vs. the Marketplace](https://www.tnhealthcoverageexplained.org/employer-coverage.md): Should you take your employer's health plan or buy on the marketplace? Compare premiums, networks, deductibles, total cost, and the 2027 affordability test.
- [Tennessee Farm Bureau Health Plans](https://www.tnhealthcoverageexplained.org/farm-bureau-health-plans.md): Tennessee Farm Bureau health plans run year-round in all 95 counties and cost 30–50% less than unsubsidized marketplace plans — but they're medically underwritten.
- [Medicare in Tennessee: The Parts, the Enrollment Periods, and Your Choices](https://www.tnhealthcoverageexplained.org/medicare-in-tennessee.md): Medicare in Tennessee, plainly explained: Parts A, B, C, D; enrollment periods and key dates; Medigap vs Medicare Advantage; free SHIP help at 1-877-801-0044.
- [Short-Term Health Plans in Tennessee](https://www.tnhealthcoverageexplained.org/short-term-plans.md): Short-term health plans can fill a coverage gap in Tennessee — but they're not ACA plans, can deny you for health history, and skip key benefits like maternity.
- [TennCare: Tennessee's Medicaid Program](https://www.tnhealthcoverageexplained.org/tenncare.md): Who qualifies for TennCare in Tennessee, how to apply, what's covered, and how coverage reaches you — plus the coverage gap every Tennessean should understand.

## Guides by situation
- [Retiring before 65 in Tennessee: bridging to Medicare](https://www.tnhealthcoverageexplained.org/guides/early-retiree.md): Retiring early in Tennessee? Losing employer coverage may open a marketplace special enrollment. How income drops affect subsidies and bridging to Medicare.
- [Covering kids and pregnancy in Tennessee](https://www.tnhealthcoverageexplained.org/guides/families.md): Covering kids or pregnant in Tennessee? TennCare covers pregnancy to 250% FPL with 12 months postpartum. CoverKids covers kids to 250% FPL, no monthly premium.
- [Health Insurance for Immigrants in Tennessee](https://www.tnhealthcoverageexplained.org/guides/immigrants.md): Lawfully present immigrants can buy marketplace coverage in TN, but 2027 tax-credit eligibility narrowed. Who still qualifies, who doesn't, and other paths.
- [Health Insurance When Money Is Tight: A Tennessee Decision Tree](https://www.tnhealthcoverageexplained.org/guides/low-income.md): Low income in TN? Check TennCare, CoverKids, then marketplace subsidies. Your step-by-step decision tree for coverage in 2027 — no hype.
- [Have a Health Condition? Here's What Actually Protects You in Tennessee](https://www.tnhealthcoverageexplained.org/guides/pre-existing-conditions.md): In TN, marketplace plans can't deny you or charge more for a pre-existing condition. How that protection works — and which "cheaper" plans can.
- [Health insurance when you're self-employed in Tennessee](https://www.tnhealthcoverageexplained.org/guides/self-employed.md): Freelancer or gig worker in Tennessee? The marketplace is your main route to coverage. How income estimates drive subsidies, and what alternatives exist.
- [Health Coverage for Tennessee Small Employers: The Three Models](https://www.tnhealthcoverageexplained.org/guides/small-business.md): TN small employer? Compare SHOP, ICHRA, and QSEHRA at a high level — plus 2027 rate context — before talking to a broker or tax advisor.
- [Turning 26: Your health insurance options in Tennessee](https://www.tnhealthcoverageexplained.org/guides/turning-26.md): Turning 26 in Tennessee? Coverage under a parent's plan usually ends at 26. Learn about the special enrollment window and subsidies based on your own income.
- [Veterans and Health Insurance in Tennessee: A Decision Guide](https://www.tnhealthcoverageexplained.org/guides/veterans.md): Have VA health care? You can still buy a marketplace plan in TN. Decision guidance for veterans weighing VA care, marketplace, and Medicare.

## Using your plan
- [Denied Claims: How to Appeal in Tennessee](https://www.tnhealthcoverageexplained.org/using-your-plan/appeals.md): Denied claim in Tennessee? The ladder that works: read the denial letter, file an internal appeal, then request independent external review through TDCI.
- [Deductible, Copay, Coinsurance, Out-of-Pocket Max: How They Fit Together](https://www.tnhealthcoverageexplained.org/using-your-plan/costs-explained.md): Deductible, copay, coinsurance, and out-of-pocket maximum explained in plain English — with a worked example of how a year of care adds up under a 2027 plan.
- [PPO vs. HMO vs. EPO: Which Network Type Fits You in Tennessee](https://www.tnhealthcoverageexplained.org/using-your-plan/networks.md): PPO vs HMO vs EPO, explained for Tennessee: referrals, out-of-network coverage, cost, why marketplace PPOs are scarce here, and how to check your doctor's network.
- [Formularies and Drug Tiers: What Your Prescriptions Will Cost](https://www.tnhealthcoverageexplained.org/using-your-plan/prescriptions.md): How formularies and drug tiers set what you pay for prescriptions, why to check your medications before enrolling, and TennCare members' pharmacy benefits.
- [Prior Authorization and Referrals: A Practical How-To](https://www.tnhealthcoverageexplained.org/using-your-plan/prior-authorization.md): Prior authorization and referrals explained: why insurers require them, what to ask, what to document — and what to do if approval is denied or slow.
- [How to Read a Health Plan's Deductible and Cost Table](https://www.tnhealthcoverageexplained.org/using-your-plan/reading-your-plan.md): What "copay after deductible," "family deductible," and "no charge after deductible" really mean, how to estimate a plan's total yearly cost, and how HSAs fit in.
- [What Health Plans Cover in Tennessee](https://www.tnhealthcoverageexplained.org/using-your-plan/what-plans-cover.md): What ACA plans in Tennessee must cover: the 10 essential benefits, maternity, mental health, preventive care, dental and vision, GLP-1s, IVF, and common exclusions.

## Where you live
- [Health Insurance in Chattanooga & Southeast Tennessee: A 2027 Guide](https://www.tnhealthcoverageexplained.org/chattanooga.md): Chattanooga-area health insurance for 2027: open enrollment dates, the five Tennessee marketplace insurers, free enrollment help, and what to check for 2027.
- [Tennessee Counties & Rating Areas](https://www.tnhealthcoverageexplained.org/counties.md): Find your Tennessee county's ACA rating area for 2027 open enrollment. What varies by county, what stays the same statewide, and how to get help enrolling.
- [Health Insurance in Knoxville & East Tennessee: A 2027 Guide](https://www.tnhealthcoverageexplained.org/knoxville.md): Knoxville-area health insurance for 2027: open enrollment dates, the five Tennessee marketplace insurers, free enrollment help, and what to check for 2027.
- [Health Insurance in Memphis & West Tennessee: A 2027 Guide](https://www.tnhealthcoverageexplained.org/memphis.md): Memphis-area health insurance for 2027: open enrollment dates, the five Tennessee marketplace insurers, free enrollment help, and what to check for 2027.
- [Health Insurance in Nashville & Middle Tennessee: A 2027 Guide](https://www.tnhealthcoverageexplained.org/nashville.md): Nashville-area health insurance for 2027: open enrollment dates, the five Tennessee marketplace insurers, free enrollment help, and what to check for 2027.
- [Rating Area 1 — Northeast Tennessee (Tri-Cities): Your Marketplace Guide for 2027](https://www.tnhealthcoverageexplained.org/rating-area-1.md): Explore Tennessee's Rating Area 1: Johnson City, Kingsport & Bristol counties covered, open enrollment dates, and where to compare 2027 marketplace plans.
- [Rating Area 2 — East Tennessee (Knoxville): Your Marketplace Guide for 2027](https://www.tnhealthcoverageexplained.org/rating-area-2.md): Knoxville's Rating Area 2 covers 16 East TN counties. Learn how rating areas set your plan menu, 2027 open enrollment dates, and how to compare plans.
- [Rating Area 3 — Southeast Tennessee (Chattanooga): Your Marketplace Guide for 2027](https://www.tnhealthcoverageexplained.org/rating-area-3.md): Rating Area 3 covers Chattanooga, Cleveland & Southeast TN's 11 counties. Understand your rating area, 2027 open enrollment, and how to compare plans.
- [Rating Area 4 — Middle Tennessee (Nashville): Your Marketplace Guide for 2027](https://www.tnhealthcoverageexplained.org/rating-area-4.md): Rating Area 4 covers Nashville, Murfreesboro & Franklin's 9 counties. Learn your rating area, 2027 open enrollment dates, and in-person enrollment help.
- [West Tennessee — Rural Northwest (Rating Area 5)](https://www.tnhealthcoverageexplained.org/rating-area-5.md): Rating Area 5 covers 16 rural northwest Tennessee counties, anchored by Jackson. How rating areas work, the five 2027 insurers, and free enrollment help.
- [West Tennessee — Memphis (Rating Area 6)](https://www.tnhealthcoverageexplained.org/rating-area-6.md): Rating Area 6 covers Fayette, Haywood, Lauderdale, Shelby, and Tipton counties. How Memphis-area plans and prices work, plus in-person enrollment help.
- [Upper Cumberland (Rating Area 7)](https://www.tnhealthcoverageexplained.org/rating-area-7.md): Rating Area 7 covers 14 Upper Cumberland counties around Cookeville and Crossville. How rating areas work, the five 2027 insurers, and free enrollment help.
- [South-central Middle Tennessee (Rating Area 8)](https://www.tnhealthcoverageexplained.org/rating-area-8.md): Rating Area 8 covers 16 south-central TN counties around Columbia and Tullahoma. How rating areas work, the five 2027 insurers, and free enrollment help.
- [Health Insurance by Region in Tennessee: East, Middle, West](https://www.tnhealthcoverageexplained.org/regions.md): Tennessee's 8 rating areas decide which marketplace plans you can buy. The verified 2027 insurer list, what varies by region, and what we're still confirming.
- [Buying Health Insurance in Rural Tennessee](https://www.tnhealthcoverageexplained.org/rural-tennessee.md): Living outside Tennessee's big metros? How to compare marketplace plans when choice is thinner: networks, doctors, telehealth, and verifying before enrolling.

## Free tools
- [County & rating area lookup](https://www.tnhealthcoverageexplained.org/tools/county-lookup.md): Look up any of Tennessee's 95 counties to find its ACA rating area, your local insurance guide, and whether free in-person enrollment help is offered nearby.
- [Can I enroll right now?](https://www.tnhealthcoverageexplained.org/tools/enrollment-checker.md): Check whether you can buy health insurance in Tennessee today: open enrollment, special enrollment deadlines, TennCare, CoverKids, and Medicare windows.
- [The Plan Comparison Checklist: Compare 2027 Tennessee Marketplace Plans Apples to Apples](https://www.tnhealthcoverageexplained.org/tools/plan-comparison-checklist.md): A practical checklist for comparing 2027 Tennessee marketplace plans side by side: premium, deductible, out-of-pocket max, network, prescriptions, and tiers.
- [Premium tax credit estimator for 2027](https://www.tnhealthcoverageexplained.org/tools/subsidy-estimator.md): Estimate your 2027 marketplace tax credit in Tennessee: your poverty-level percentage, expected contribution, cost-sharing reductions, and distance from the 400% cliff.
- [TennCare & CoverKids screener](https://www.tnhealthcoverageexplained.org/tools/tenncare-screener.md): Find out in a minute whether your household may qualify for TennCare or CoverKids, using Tennessee's published income limits. Private, no sign-up.
- [Free tools](https://www.tnhealthcoverageexplained.org/tools.md): Free, private tools for Tennesseans: estimate your 2027 premium tax credit, check if you can enroll now, screen for TennCare or CoverKids, and find your rating area.

## Questions answered
- [Tennessee health insurance FAQ: 100+ questions, answered](https://www.tnhealthcoverageexplained.org/faq.md): Straight answers to 100+ of the most-asked health insurance questions in Tennessee: costs, deductibles, coverage, networks, drugs, enrollment dates, subsidies, and TennCare.

## About this site
- [About TN Health Coverage Explained](https://www.tnhealthcoverageexplained.org/about.md): TN Health Coverage Explained is an independent, not-for-profit educational site about Tennessee health insurance. No sales, no ads, no commissions. Why it exists and who it's for.
- [Contact us](https://www.tnhealthcoverageexplained.org/contact.md): Contact the Tennessee health insurance editorial team with corrections, questions, or story tips — replies usually within two business days; no personal advice.
- [Open data](https://www.tnhealthcoverageexplained.org/data.md): Free JSON datasets for Tennessee health coverage: 2027 enrollment dates, poverty guidelines, tax credit percentages, insurers, TennCare limits, and county rating areas.
- [Health Insurance Glossary: 30+ Terms in Plain English](https://www.tnhealthcoverageexplained.org/glossary.md): Premium, deductible, copay, subsidy, metal tiers, HMO vs. PPO — 30+ health insurance terms explained in plain English for Tennessee residents.
- [How we verify everything on this site](https://www.tnhealthcoverageexplained.org/how-we-verify.md): Every fact on this site traces to a source like HealthCare.gov, CMS, or TennCare. Our verification method, corrections policy, and what we won't publish.
- [Health insurance in Tennessee: what's new, and how we track it](https://www.tnhealthcoverageexplained.org/updates.md): How this site tracks each Tennessee plan year: 2027 rate filings, carrier entries and exits, law changes, what's new for 2027, and what we're still verifying.

## Data
- [Open data catalog](https://www.tnhealthcoverageexplained.org/data/index.json): JSON datasets with sources