Tennessee Katie Beckett: Part C can keep Medicaid while a Part A slot opens

If your child qualifies for Tennessee's Katie Beckett Part A but no Part A slot is open, Part C may keep your child's Medicaid while you wait. When a Part A slot opens, your child must move to Part A. There is no date to act on.

What's changing

TennCare's Katie Beckett Educational Material makes clear that Part C (Continued Eligibility) covers two situations, not one:

• A child who is losing Medicaid because the parents' income or resources went up.
• A child who qualifies for Part A while no Part A slot is open.

The guide says:

"Part C may allow the child to keep Medicaid if they would qualify to enroll in Part A"

That is from TennCare's Katie Beckett Educational Material.

Part C is a bridge, not a place to stay. When a Part A slot opens, the child must move to Part A. The child cannot stay in Part C.

Who it affects (and who it doesn't)

This affects Tennessee children who qualify for Katie Beckett Part A while its slots are full.

It does not change anything for children already enrolled in Part A or Part B. Their coverage stays the same.

Key dates

There is no date to act on for this update.

What you can do

1. If your child qualifies for Part A and is waiting for a slot, ask TennCare Connect whether Part C can keep your child's Medicaid while you wait.
2. Watch for mail from TennCare about Katie Beckett, and open it right away.
3. Keep a copy of every letter or notice you get.
4. If your child has a care coordinator or case manager, ask how this applies to your child.

Katie Beckett applications: TennCare Connect, 855-259-0701, tenncareconnect.tn.gov