June 21, 2007
(615) 532-1921 OFFICE
"More and more of Tennessee’s hard-working small business owners and their employees have access to health-care benefits today because of CoverTN,” Bredesen said. “We are pleased with the program’s progress, and we continue our efforts to make Tennessee’s small businesses aware of CoverTN’s advantages and benefits."
CoverTN creates a partnership between the state, small businesses and their employees to provide coverage for the most needed medical services. It’s not a mandated program or an entitlement program; it is a voluntary initiative for uninsured Tennesseans to obtain private insurance. The individual owns the plan, not the state or the company.
CoverTN is affordable and features no deductibles. Pricing in the program is simple and straight forward with $20 copayments for a doctor’s office visits and $10 for most prescription drugs. CoverTN also provides coverage for hospitalization and other medical needs. Premiums average $150 a month, shared between the state, the employer and employee, and vary based on weight, tobacco use and age.
Enrollment is a two-step process. Once a business is confirmed eligible, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, the program’s insurer, sends out enrollment materials. Individuals then have 90 days to decide to participate.
Gov. Bredesen launched the Cover Tennessee insurance programs in March, and coverage began April 1. To date, more than 12,000 businesses have pre-qualified for CoverTN.
In addition to CoverTN, Bredesen’s Cover Tennessee initiative offers health insurance options to uninsured individuals in Tennessee. CoverKids provides comprehensive insurance for children. CoverRX provides pharmacy assistance to those without prescription drug coverage. AccessTN, a high-risk pool, provides comprehensive health insurance options for uninsurable adults.
More information on all Cover Tennessee programs is available at www.CoverTN.gov or by calling 1-866-COVERTN.
###