Tennessee Medicare beneficiaries have access to a range of coverage options, state-specific protections, and free counseling services. This comprehensive Tennessee Medicare guide covers your SHIP office contacts, Medigap plan availability, birthday rule protections, Medicare Savings Program eligibility, Medicare Advantage options, and how to compare plans. Whether you are turning 65, helping a parent navigate Medicare, or re-evaluating your coverage, understanding Tennessee Medicare rules is essential for making informed decisions.
All information in this guide has been verified against official state sources, CMS data, and NAIC reports as of April 2026.
In This Tennessee Medicare Guide:
Tennessee SHIP — Free Medicare Counseling
Every state has a State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) that provides free, unbiased Medicare counseling. Tennessee’s SHIP program can help you understand your coverage options, compare plans, resolve billing issues, and navigate enrollment periods at no cost.
| SHIP Program | Tennessee State Health Insurance Assistance Program (TN SHIP) |
| Phone | 1-877-801-0044 |
| Website | https://www.tn.gov/disability-and-aging/disability-aging-programs/tn-ship.html |
SHIP counselors are trained volunteers and staff who are not affiliated with any insurance company. They do not sell plans. Contact your Tennessee SHIP office before making any major Medicare decisions.
Tennessee Medigap (Medicare Supplement) Plans
Medigap plans in Tennessee help cover out-of-pocket costs not paid by Original Medicare, including the Part A deductible, Part B coinsurance, and skilled nursing facility copays. Medigap plans are standardized by federal law, meaning Plan G from one carrier covers the same benefits as Plan G from another carrier. The difference is premium cost.
Plans available in Tennessee: A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, N (Plans C and F only available to those Medicare-eligible before January 1 2020)
Most popular plan: Plan G is the most popular Medigap plan in Tennessee. Plan G covers all gaps in Original Medicare except the annual Part B deductible ($240 in 2026). Plan N is the most popular lower-premium alternative, with small copays for some doctor visits and ER visits.
Pricing method: Tennessee uses attained-age-rated Medigap pricing. Premiums increase as you age, which means your costs will rise over time. Buying earlier locks in lower starting premiums.
The average monthly Plan G premium for a 65-year-old in Tennessee is approximately $175. Plan N averages approximately $140 per month. Actual premiums vary by carrier, age, gender, tobacco use, and zip code. Always compare quotes from at least three carriers.
Tennessee Medigap Switching Rights
Tennessee does not have a Medigap birthday rule. Your primary opportunity to buy or switch Medigap plans without medical underwriting is during your initial Medigap Open Enrollment Period, which lasts 6 months starting when you first enroll in Medicare Part B at age 65 or older.
After your initial OEP closes, you may face medical underwriting if you apply for a new Medigap policy. However, federal law provides guaranteed issue rights in specific situations, such as losing employer coverage or leaving a Medicare Advantage plan during your first year.
Tennessee guaranteed issue protections: Tennessee requires Medigap insurers to offer guaranteed issue to Medicare beneficiaries under 65 who qualify due to disability (state law since 2011). These under-65 enrollees receive the standard 6-month OEP when first enrolled in Part B. Additionally, beneficiaries who hold a Medigap plan before age 65 receive a second Medigap open enrollment period when they turn 65, allowing them to switch plans without medical underwriting.
Tennessee Medicare Advantage (Part C)
Approximately 1496872 people in Tennessee are enrolled in Medicare. About 53 of Tennessee Medicare beneficiaries choose Medicare Advantage plans, with the remainder on Original Medicare with or without Medigap supplement coverage.
Medicare Advantage plans in Tennessee are offered by private insurers as an alternative to Original Medicare. Most MA plans include prescription drug coverage (Part D) and often add dental, vision, and hearing benefits. However, MA plans use provider networks, which can limit your choice of doctors and hospitals.
Key Medicare Advantage considerations in Tennessee:
- Networks matter: HMO plans require you to use in-network providers except in emergencies. PPO plans allow out-of-network care at higher cost.
- $0 premium plans: Many Tennessee MA plans have $0 monthly premiums (you still pay your Part B premium).
- Maximum Out-of-Pocket (MOOP): MA plans cap your annual spending, unlike Original Medicare which has no cap.
- Star ratings: CMS rates MA plans 1-5 stars. Higher-rated plans often have lower costs and better coverage.
Top Medicare Advantage carriers in Tennessee by enrollment:
- UnitedHealthcare
- BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee
- Humana
- Cigna HealthSpring
- Aetna
Tennessee Medicare Financial Help Programs
Tennessee offers Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) that help low-income Medicare beneficiaries pay for premiums, deductibles, and copays. The four programs are:
- QMB (Qualified Medicare Beneficiary): Pays Part A and Part B premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, and copays.
- SLMB (Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary): Pays Part B premiums only.
- QI (Qualifying Individual): Pays Part B premiums (limited funding, first-come first-served).
- QDWI (Qualified Disabled Working Individual): Pays Part A premiums for disabled workers.
Tennessee MSP eligibility: QMB: 1325 per month single or 1783 per month married. SLMB: up to 1585 per month single or 2135 per month married. Asset limits: 9660 single or 14470 married.
Apply through your local SHIP office or your state Medicaid agency for free help determining eligibility.
Top Medicare Insurance Companies in Tennessee
Top Medigap carriers in Tennessee:
- Mutual of Omaha
- AARP/UnitedHealthcare
- Cigna
- Aetna
- BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee
When comparing carriers, focus on premium cost (for identical standardized Medigap plans, benefits are the same — only price differs), financial strength ratings from AM Best (A or higher), customer satisfaction ratings, and claims processing speed.
Tennessee Medicare Enrollment Periods
Understanding Medicare enrollment deadlines prevents costly late enrollment penalties:
- Initial Enrollment Period (IEP): 7-month window around your 65th birthday (3 months before, birthday month, 3 months after). Enroll in Parts A and B during this period.
- Medigap Open Enrollment: Standard federal 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period beginning the first day of the month the beneficiary is both age 65 or older and enrolled in Part B. Tennessee does not extend this period beyond the federal standard for those 65 and older.. During this period, insurance companies cannot deny you Medigap coverage or charge higher premiums based on health conditions.
- Annual Enrollment Period (AEP): October 15 through December 7 each year. Switch between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage, change MA plans, or add/change Part D drug plans.
- Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (OEP): January 1 through March 31. Switch MA plans or return to Original Medicare (and add a Medigap plan, subject to underwriting).
- Special Enrollment Periods (SEP): Available when you lose employer coverage, move, or qualify for other life events.
Additional Tennessee Medicare protections: Tennessee requires all Medigap insurers selling to those 65 and older to also offer the same plans to under-65 disabled Medicare beneficiaries with guaranteed issue rights. Under-65 enrollees who hold Medigap before turning 65 receive a second open enrollment period at age 65 to switch plans without underwriting. Premiums for under-65 enrollees may be higher than standard rates.
Compare Tennessee Medicare Plans
Ready to compare Medicare options in Tennessee? Use the official Medicare Plan Finder or contact your local SHIP counselor for free, unbiased help.
Official Sources & Resources
- Medicare.gov: medicare.gov
- Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance: https://www.tn.gov/commerce.html
- Tennessee State Health Insurance Assistance Program (TN SHIP): https://www.tn.gov/disability-and-aging/disability-aging-programs/tn-ship.html
- CMS.gov: cms.gov
- NAIC: naic.org
This Tennessee Medicare guide was last verified against official sources in April 2026. If you notice outdated information, please contact us.