Tennessee

Tennessee

Number of dialysis patients statewide: 8,590

This state offers Medigap insurance to dialysis patients under 65.

Legislative session: January 8 - May 17, 2013

Medicare, a federal program, pays for dialysis for over 80% of dialysis treatments. However, many issues concerning dialysis patients are actually handled at the state level.

Individual states have to provide certain basic services under Medicaid, but they also have flexibility in how they structure their plans and set their reimbursement rates. In addition, some states have the authority to determine the need and location for additional dialysis facilities (this is often referred to as certificate of need). Because dialysis patients’ care can be affected by state officials as well as federal officials, DPC members are becoming more active on state issues—ensuring the patients’ voice is heard locally as well as nationally.

Tennessee Dialysis Patient Resources

Patient Support and Financial Resources

Tennessee Kidney Foundation
This foundation has a variety of programs to assist patients suffering from kidney disease.
A financial assistance program exists for dialysis patients, but current kidney patients in stages 1-4 of chronic kidney disease are not eligible.  A maximum award of $150 is available per patient.  Income is not a factor for eligibility in this program.  The patient must be on dialysis, a state resident and seek aid through their social worker.
1-800-380-3887

NKF of West Tennessee, Inc.
857 Mount Moriah Rd Ste 201
Memphis, TN 38117-5704
Phone: 1-901-683-6185
Toll Free: 1-800-273-3869
Fax: 1-901-683-6189
E-mail: info@nkfwtn.org

The Kidney Foundation of the Greater Chattanooga Area, Inc.
1020 Dallas Road, Suite 401
Chattanooga, TN 37405
Telephone: 1-423-265-4397
Fax: 1-423-265-4398.
Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m
Email: jennifer@kidneyfoundation.com

ESRD Network

#8 ESRD Network
1755 Lelia Drive, Suite 400
Jaskson, MS  39216
1-877-936-9260

State Run Programs

TennCare
1-866-268-3786

  • Adult Programs: A medical assistance program designed for people who are eligible for Medicaid, as well as for some children who do not have insurance. A Medicaid waiver, or demonstration, program. Its purpose is to demonstrate that the use of managed-care principles can generate sufficient savings to enable the state to cover more than Medicaid eligible people.
  • Programs for Children: CoverKids is designed for uninsured children age 18 and younger whose families earn within 250 percent of the federal poverty level.
  • Medication Programs: CoverRX Affordable prescriptions for eligible residents who have no prescription coverage.
  • Additional Programs: Cover Tennessee is a partnership between the state, employers and individuals that makes health care coverage affordable for the state's working uninsured.  AccessTN provides comprehensive health insurance for Tennesseans who are uninsurable due to pre-existing medical conditions. Three different plans are available with varying deductibles and participants can select the plan that is best for their situation

Health Reform Status

Exchange: The federal government will run the health insurance exchange in Tennessee.

Medicaid: It is not known at this time whether the state will expand Medicaid eligibility.

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