Tennessee's New "Medically Necessary" Standard: Uncovering the Insured?

Publication Date: July 2004

Publisher: Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation

Author(s):

Research Area: Health

Keywords: Medicaid; TennCare; Health Insurance

Type: Brief

Abstract:

This policy brief describes a new standard passed by Tennessee’s legislature for determining whether an item or service is “medically necessary” under the state’s Medicaid program, TennCare.  The brief concludes with some questions regarding the implications of the new standard for the populations that Medicaid covers nationally, especially low-income children under age 21, individuals with disabilities, and the elderly, as well as the providers who treat them.