TennCare Restricts Nursing Home Coverage, Could Save $15 Million

The state of Tennessee’s Medicaid managed care program, TennCare, is looking to save millions of dollars by restricting what qualifies people for long-term nursing care, reports WCYB.

At least $15 million could be saved in the state institutes “tougher new standards” for who’s eligible to enter a nursing home. Currently, an individual with one activity of daily living deficiency (ADL) can be admitted into a facility through the TennCare program.

The new proposal, however, changes that requirement to four ADLs by next year.

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Most patients admitted into Tennessee facilities have at least three deficiencies, according to WCYB. “That means those on the threshold may not be allowed into a nursing home,” the article says.

This could leave some seniors at a disadvantage, but those who don’t “quite meet the long-term criteria might receive TennCare coverage for in-home and community based services,” WCYB reports. “If passed, local home care businesses said they would expect an influx of clients.”

Read more at WCYB.com.

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Written by Alyssa Gerace