Tennesee Helps Residents by Expanding Health Insurance Program

Because of our country's weak economy, health officials in Tennessee are willing to provide health insurance coverage for those residents who have been out of a job or working fewer hours.

The Memphis Commercial Appeal reports that CoverTN, the state's health insurance program, will be offering residents of Tennessee health coverage plans. In order to qualify for the insurance plans, a resident must have lost their job in the last six months and be currently working at least 20 hours since the job loss.

To be eligible for CoverTN health insurance, residents must have made no more than $43,000 a year while working at their most current job. The director of CoverTN, Stphani Ryan says, "We recognize the downturn in the economy and businesses looking at layoffs and having to close."

Tennessee residents who qualify for this new expansion of CoverTN will pay two-thirds of the health plan premium. A non-smoker who is between 30 and 39 years old with a normal weight would pay $95 a month for the state-subsidized plan. Even though this could help many residents obtain affordable insurance, critics of the CoverTN program say the coverage is far too limited.

Major medical coverage does not seem to exist under this plan, as the cap for benefits is $25,000. A Tennessee Health Campaign representative, Tony Garr, asks, "If you were looking for insurance for your home, would you buy insurance that would only replace your bathroom if your home were demolished?