Press Release


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE APRIL 19, 2007	CONTACT:	EMILY RICHARD 615.253.5643 (OFFICE) 615.289.9851 (CELL)

ACCESSTN BOARD VOTES TO HELP PAY MEDICAL UNDERWRITING COSTS

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Today during its bimonthly meeting in Nashville, the AccessTN board took action to extend special enrollment provisions for TennCare disenrollees and to assist in streamlining the application process for qualified Tennesseans. AccessTN, the component of Governor Phil Bredesen’s Cover Tennessee health care initiative that provides comprehensive health insurance to chronically ill Tennesseans, currently has 1,256 enrolled in the program. Over three quarters of the enrollees have qualified for premium assistance which averages more than $400 a month. In other actions, the board also approved amending the contract with the plan administrator, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, to provide potential enrollees’ with expanded application assistance. The board also authorized the program to evaluate options to expand funding for premium assistance. AccessTN, a high-risk pool, was created for persons with one of 55 specified medical conditions, or those who unable to get insurance in the commercial marketplace because of their health status. Call 1-866-COVERTN or visit www.covertn.gov for an application. In addition to AccessTN, Governor Bredesen’s multi-pronged Cover Tennessee offers new health insurance options to uninsured individuals in Tennessee. CoverTN is an affordable and portable health insurance initiative for uninsured small businesses. Comprehensive insurance for children is provided through CoverKids, and CoverRx provides pharmacy assistance to those without prescription drug coverage. The Cover Tennessee initiative also targets the growing prevalence of diabetes through ProjectDiabetes and focuses on improved lifestyle choices through GetFitTN. The programs were overwhelmingly endorsed by the General Assembly in 2006. More information on all Cover Tennessee programs is available at www.covertn.gov or by calling 1-866-COVERTN.
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