What Is the Income Limit for Medicaid in Tennessee?
Tennessee’s Medicaid program, TennCare, does not have one income limit for everyone. Eligibility depends on factors such as age, pregnancy, disability, household size, and whether a person cares for a dependent child. For many applicants, income is assessed under federal poverty-level guidelines, but some adults with low incomes do not qualify based on income alone. The figures below use 2026 federal poverty guidelines and are estimates; TennCare determines eligibility using its rules and an applicant’s full circumstances.
Tennessee Medicaid Income Limits at a Glance
TennCare income limits differ by eligibility group. The table shows approximate annual household income at selected federal poverty-level thresholds for the 48 contiguous states and Washington, D.C. Alaska and Hawaii use different poverty guidelines. These figures are reference points, not a guarantee of eligibility.
| Household Size | 133% of Poverty | 142% of Poverty | 195% of Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $20,815 | $22,223 | $30,518 |
| 2 | $28,130 | $30,033 | $41,243 |
| 3 | $35,445 | $37,843 | $51,968 |
| 4 | $42,760 | $45,653 | $62,693 |
Important: A listed threshold may not match the final amount TennCare uses to approve or deny an application. Household composition, income type, deductions, and program-specific rules can change the calculation. Federal poverty guidelines are updated periodically, so applicants should verify current standards with TennCare.
Income Limits by TennCare Eligibility Group
Parents and Caretaker Relatives
Parents and certain relatives who care for dependent children may qualify under TennCare’s parent or caretaker category. Tennessee’s income standard for this group is restrictive compared with Medicaid expansion states. A low income by itself does not establish eligibility: the applicant generally must also meet the program’s household and caretaker requirements.
Because Tennessee has not adopted the Affordable Care Act’s Medicaid expansion, many adults without dependent children are not eligible for TennCare solely because their income is low. This can leave some people below the federal poverty level without an affordable Medicaid option. Eligibility may still be possible through another category, such as pregnancy, disability, or age-based coverage.
Pregnant People
Pregnant applicants may qualify at a higher income level than many other adults. TennCare’s pregnancy-related coverage standard is generally listed at 195% of the federal poverty level. Pregnancy can also affect household-size calculations, which may increase the applicable income threshold. Applicants should report a pregnancy when applying and ask TennCare how it affects their household size and coverage dates.
Children
Children’s income limits depend on age. TennCare generally uses a higher threshold for infants, a separate threshold for children ages 1 through 5, and another for children ages 6 through 18. Commonly cited base standards are approximately 195% of poverty for infants, 142% for children ages 1 through 5, and 133% for older children. TennCare applies its detailed eligibility rules, including any applicable income disregard.
Children who do not qualify for TennCare Medicaid may be eligible for CoverKids, Tennessee’s Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). CoverKids has its own income and eligibility rules. Families should apply or contact TennCare rather than assume a child is ineligible because household income exceeds a Medicaid threshold.
Adults Who Are Aged, Blind, or Disabled
Adults who are 65 or older, blind, or have a qualifying disability are assessed under different rules from most children and pregnant applicants. Eligibility may depend on Social Security-related criteria, income, resources, and the type of coverage requested. Some people qualify through Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or another disability-related pathway; other applicants may need a separate TennCare determination.
Long-term services and supports, including nursing-facility care or certain home- and community-based services, have additional financial and functional eligibility requirements. Income and asset rules can vary by program, and special protections may apply to a spouse who remains in the community. Applicants should seek guidance before transferring assets or making other financial changes, since those actions can affect eligibility.
How TennCare Counts Income
For many children, pregnant applicants, and families, TennCare uses a method based on modified adjusted gross income, or MAGI. MAGI generally starts with federal tax concepts and may include earnings, unemployment compensation, and certain other taxable income. It is not always the same as take-home pay, and it does not use a single calculation for every household.
Household size is often based on tax relationships, but exceptions apply. For example, a child’s household may be determined differently depending on who claims the child and where the child lives. Pregnancy may also affect the household-size calculation. Because these details can change the applicable income limit, a household should provide accurate information about family members, tax filing, and income sources.
Some MAGI Medicaid applicants may receive a standard 5% federal income disregard when it helps them qualify. That does not mean every published limit should simply be increased by 5%; the disregard is applied under specific rules during eligibility review. Non-MAGI groups, including some aged, blind, or disabled applicants, follow different income methodologies and may have resource limits.
What Counts as Income?
Income that may matter includes wages, self-employment earnings, unemployment benefits, Social Security benefits, pensions, and other sources. Whether a particular payment counts—and how much counts—depends on the eligibility category. For instance, MAGI rules generally exclude certain types of income that may be treated differently under non-MAGI rules.
Applicants should report income as requested and provide supporting records when available. Useful documents can include recent pay stubs, an employer statement, benefit award letters, tax information, or records of self-employment income. If income varies from month to month, the application should explain that pattern rather than relying on an unusually high or low paycheck.
Does Tennessee Medicaid Have an Asset Limit?
Asset rules depend on the eligibility category. MAGI-based coverage for many children, pregnant people, and families generally does not use an asset test. By contrast, some aged, blind, disabled, and long-term-care pathways may consider resources such as bank accounts or certain property. Exemptions and special rules can apply, so an asset that appears relevant should not be assumed to disqualify someone.
Income and assets are separate tests. A person may meet an income limit but exceed a resource limit for a particular program, or have resources that are exempt under the applicable rules. TennCare or an eligibility counselor can explain which financial tests apply to the specific coverage category.
What If Income Is Above the Limit?
An income amount above one TennCare threshold does not automatically rule out every form of coverage. A child may be considered for CoverKids, and adults may qualify under a different category based on pregnancy, disability, age, or long-term-care needs. Some applicants may also qualify after a change in household size or income is taken into account.
People who do not qualify for TennCare may be able to purchase a plan through the federal Health Insurance Marketplace. Marketplace financial assistance depends on household income, tax filing, and other factors. Tennessee residents can compare options at HealthCare.gov. Since Tennessee has not expanded Medicaid, some adults with incomes below the usual range for Marketplace assistance may face limited options.
How to Apply for TennCare
Applications can be submitted through TennCare’s online services or by contacting the agency. Families can also apply for children’s coverage and ask whether a child should be considered for TennCare Medicaid or CoverKids. The official TennCare application page provides current instructions and contact information.
- Gather household details, Social Security numbers if available, and information about income and other insurance.
- Apply through an official TennCare channel and answer questions about pregnancy, disability, age, or caregiving responsibilities.
- Respond promptly to requests for documents or clarification.
- Review the eligibility notice. If the decision appears incorrect, follow the notice’s instructions and deadlines for requesting a review or appeal.
Applicants should report changes in income, household members, address, or other relevant circumstances as required. Keeping copies of the application and submitted documents can make it easier to resolve questions about a decision.
Where to Confirm Current Income Limits
Income limits and program rules can change, and a web table cannot account for every household’s circumstances. For current guidance, check TennCare’s official website or contact the agency directly. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services publishes the federal poverty guidelines used as a reference for many eligibility standards; those guidelines are not, by themselves, a complete TennCare eligibility decision.
In short: Tennessee Medicaid has different income limits for children, pregnant people, caretaker relatives, and aged or disabled applicants. A person’s household size and eligibility category matter as much as the dollar amount, and low income alone does not qualify every adult for TennCare.