You may apply for the state’s supplemental medical insurance for retirees with Medicare called The Tennessee Plan if you meet the eligibility requirements listed below:
Eligibility Requirements for Retiree Plan Coverage. A person is eligible to be a Plan Participant in the “Retiree Plan Coverage” provision of the Plan from the first day that he or she is:
(1) A retired state of Tennessee employee or higher education employee receiving a monthly retirement allowance from the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System or is participating in the higher education optional retirement system who is covered under Medicare (Part A), and whose initial employment with the state or other governmental agency qualifying the person for Plan membership commenced prior to July 1, 2015;
(2) A retired Local Education employee participating in the Tennessee consolidated retirement system provided that the retired employee is covered by Medicare benefits and is also drawing a monthly retirement allowance from the Tennessee consolidated retirement system, and whose initial employment with a qualifying employer commenced prior to July 1, 2015; or
(3) A retired county judge (as defined in TCA 8-34-101), county official (as defined in TCA 8-34-101), county employee, or employee of employer participating in TCRS receiving a monthly retirement allowance from the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System who is covered under Medicare (Part A), and whose initial employment with a qualifying employer commenced prior to July 1, 2015.
Retirees who receive a monthly TCRS pension check who will become eligible for Medicare by virtue of age after retirement or ORP retirees who are enrolled on the state retiree group health plan, will be mailed an application approximately three months prior to their 65th birthday. The application must be submitted within 60 days of your initial eligibility to enroll without answering medical underwriting questions. The initial eligibility date is the date of TCRS retirement, the date active state group basic health coverage terminates, or date of Medicare eligibility, whichever is later. Coverage will become effective on your initial eligibility date provided the application is received timely. Note: If your initial eligibility date is your date of retirement with TCRS, coverage would be effective the first of the following month. For example, if your date of retirement is May 4, coverage would be effective June 1.
If you enroll in The Tennessee Plan and your spouse becomes entitled to Medicare at a later date, you have 60 days from the date of your spouse’s Medicare eligibility to apply to add him or her to coverage without the spouse being required to answer medical underwriting questions. More information and the Tennessee Plan application are available on our website at https://www.tn.gov/partnersforhealth/continuing-insurance-at-retirement.html.