Medicaid eligibility in Tennessee — income limits for 2025
The number
TennCare covers pregnant women up to 200% of the federal poverty line — $51,640 annual income for a family of three in 2025.
Income limits in dollars (2025)
| Category | % FPL | Household of 1 | Household of 3 | Household of 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pregnant women | 200% | $30,120 | $51,640 | $62,400 |
| Children 0-5 | 146% | $21,990 | $37,700 | $45,550 |
| Children 6-18 | 146% | $21,990 | $37,700 | $45,550 |
| Parents / caretakers | 95% | $14,310 | $24,530 | $29,640 |
Who qualifies and how the income limits work
TennCare uses modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) rules to test eligibility. For 2025, the thresholds for a three-person household are: pregnant women up to 200% of the federal poverty line ($51,640), children 0-5 up to 146% ($37,700), children 6-18 up to 146% ($37,700), and parents / caretaker relatives with dependents up to 95% ($24,530).
Tennessee has not adopted Medicaid expansion. Adults 19-64 without dependent children have no path to Medicaid no matter how low their income. Parents earning above 95% FPL ($24,530 for a three-person household) and below 100% FPL fall into the coverage gap — too much for Medicaid, too little for ACA marketplace subsidies. The Kaiser Family Foundation estimates non-expansion states account for nearly all of the 1.5 million Americans in that gap.
Citizenship / immigration status: US citizens and most lawfully present immigrants (with a 5-year waiting period for most categories under PRWORA) qualify if they meet the income test. Pregnant women and children may qualify in narrower circumstances under the CHIPRA 2009 state option. Assets test: no assets / resources test for MAGI-category applicants; a test applies for long-term care and non-MAGI applicants.
TennCare operates under a Section 1115 block-grant waiver — the only one of its kind in the country — which Governor Lee's administration secured in January 2021. Tennessee remains a non-expansion state; the Tennessee Justice Center has led the coverage-gap advocacy campaign.
For Black families
Because Tennessee has not expanded Medicaid, Black parents earning between the state's parent ceiling and 100% FPL fall into the coverage gap. KFF estimates Black residents make up a disproportionate share of that gap in every non-expansion state. TennCare operates under a Section 1115 block-grant waiver — the only one of its kind in the country — which Governor Lee's administration secured in January 2021. Tennessee remains a non-expansion state; the Tennessee Justice Center has led the coverage-gap advocacy campaign.
Where to get help in Tennessee
- Federally Qualified Health Centers in Tennessee: every FQHC accepts Medicaid, charges on a sliding scale for the uninsured, and has certified application counselors who can help you apply or renew. See our FQHC directory for this state at /clinics/tn/.
- Medicaid-accepting providers in Tennessee: our provider directory lets you filter to providers in this state. See /providers/tn/.
- State health profile for Tennessee: for state-level health outcomes context (maternal mortality, infant mortality, life expectancy, uninsured rate) by race, see /health/tennessee/.
- TennCare consumer help line: 1-855-259-0701 for application help, renewal questions, and general Medicaid inquiries. Ask for an interpreter if you need one; language access is required under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.
References & primary sources
- TennCare, state Medicaid portal: https://www.tn.gov/tenncare.
- KFF State Health Facts: kff.org/statedata. Medicaid income eligibility + enrollment.
- Medicaid.gov: medicaid.gov. Federal program guidance + state plan amendments.
- HHS 2025 Poverty Guidelines (Federal Register Jan 2025): aspe.hhs.gov/poverty-guidelines.
Data refreshed: