Cabinet to create comprehensive strategy focused on Tennessee children’s well-being

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and First Lady Crissy Haslam today announced the governor will issue an executive order refocusing and restructuring the Governor’s Children’s Cabinet, which they will co-chair.

This makes the Governor’s Children’s Cabinet the only one in the country co-chaired by both a governor and the spouse, according to the National Forum for Youth Investment, and the group through collaboration and cooperation will create a comprehensive strategy focused on issues such as children’s physical and mental health, education, safety and overall well-being.

NASHVILLE — The Bureau of TennCare today announced the results of the 2011 HEDIS/CAHPS Report: A Comparative Analysis of Audited Results from TennCare Managed Care Organizations (MCOs). Once again, the state performed well in the area of child health, with statewide weighted average scores exceeding the 2010 national Medicaid average for measures such as childhood immunization status, lead screening in children, appropriate testing for children with pharyngitis, use of appropriate medications for people with asthma and children and adolescents’ access to primary care practitioners.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville today released the findings from its study, “The Impact of TennCare: A Survey of Recipients 2011.” The results show TennCare continues to earn high marks from those who receive its services – with enrollees reporting the highest satisfaction scores to date.

State Fiscal Year 2012 Begins Today

NASHVILLE – The Bureau of TennCare announced today that medically necessary smoking cessation products are now covered for all enrollees in the program. Including the benefit in the TennCare fiscal year 2012 budget, is a positive step forward in Governor Bill Haslam’s initiative to assist Tennesseans in maintaining healthy lifestyles.

Phone Lines Will Open 6 P.M. CST On Feb. 22

NASHVILLE -- The TennCare Standard Spend Down program will open enrollment to new applicants on Tuesday, February 22, 2011.  Standard Spend Down is available through a waiver to the Medicaid program for a limited number of low income individuals, or those with high, unpaid medical bills who are aged, blind, disabled, or the caretaker relative of a Medicaid eligible child. Eligible individuals must have enough unpaid medical bills to meet the “spend down” threshold to qualify for their coverage.

TN Included in the Center for Health Care Strategies’
“Profiles of State Innovation” Series

NASHVILLE –  In recognition of TennCare’s statewide implementation of the new TennCare CHOICES in Long-Term Care Program, the Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS) has identified Tennessee as one of five innovative states with demonstrated expertise in managed care approaches to long-term care in their report: Profiles of State Innovation: Roadmap for Managing Long-Term Supports and Services.

Tennessee is the Second State to Receive Approval

NASHVILLE – TennCare officials announced today that Tennessee received federal approval to move forward with the Bureau’s Electronic Health Record (EHR) provider incentive program.  Tennessee is the second state in the country to receive approval of its implementation plan combined with a commitment for federal implementation funding. 

Phone Line Opens for First 2,500 Applicants October 4

NASHVILLE – The TennCare Standard Spend Down program is opening enrollment for the first time to new applicants beginning Monday, October 4, 2010.  Standard Spend Down is available through a waiver to the Medicaid program for a limited number of low income individuals, or those with high, unpaid medical bills who are aged, blind, disabled, or the caretaker relative of a Medicaid eligible child. Eligible individuals must have enough unpaid medical bills to meet the “spend down” threshold to qualify for and keep their coverage.