Tennessee Health Insurance at a Glance

Cigna Is Leaving Tennessee's Individual Health Insurance Market

Cigna has confirmed that it will no longer offer Individual & Family medical plans for the 2027 plan year.

Current Cigna individual medical plans remain available through the end of 2026 for eligible members, but Tennessee residents enrolled in affected Cigna coverage need to choose replacement coverage for 2027.

Have a Cigna Plan? What to Check Before Replacing It

Tennessee Uses HealthCare.gov

Tennessee uses the federally facilitated Health Insurance Marketplace at HealthCare.gov.

Marketplace Qualified Health Plans are ACA-compliant major medical insurance.

They include important consumer protections such as:

• Coverage for pre-existing conditions
• ACA-required essential health benefits
• Preventive services
• Prescription drug coverage
• Hospital and emergency coverage
• Defined annual limits on covered in-network out-of-pocket costs
• No medical underwriting for eligibility

Tennessee Marketplace Insurance Companies for 2027

With Cigna leaving, five established insurers are expected to offer Marketplace coverage in Tennessee for 2027:

Approved Tennessee Health Insurance Rates for 2027

Tennessee's final 2027 individual-market rate filings have now been approved.

Across the individual market, the final enrollment-weighted increase is approximately 15.6% before Marketplace Premium Tax Credits.

Why Tennessee Health Insurance Premiums Are Increasing

Insurance-company rate filings identify several factors contributing to higher 2027 premiums.

These include:

• Higher prices for medical services
• Higher prescription drug costs
• Greater use of medical services
• Changes to plan benefits and cost sharing
• Changes in risk-adjustment payments
• Changes in the health mix of people remaining in the individual market

Insurers have also cited the expiration of the temporary enhanced federal Premium Tax Credits after 2025 as a factor affecting enrollment and the health mix of the market.

Tennessee Open Enrollment for 2027

Tennessee follows the federal HealthCare.gov Open Enrollment schedule.

Open Enrollment for 2027 coverage runs from November 1, 2026 through January 15, 2027.

• November 1, 2026: Open Enrollment begins.
• December 15, 2026: Deadline to select coverage beginning January 1, 2027.
• January 15, 2027: Open Enrollment ends. Coverage selected after December 15 generally begins February 1.

Marketplace Financial Assistance in Tennessee for 2027

Eligible Tennessee residents can still receive federal Premium Tax Credits through HealthCare.gov.

However, the temporary enhanced federal tax credits that applied through 2025 have expired.

Under the general rules now in effect, Premium Tax Credit eligibility generally requires household income between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level, along with the other federal eligibility requirements.

Based on the 2026 federal poverty guidelines used for 2027 Marketplace coverage, 400% of the poverty level is approximately:

Self-Employed Health Insurance in Tennessee

Tennessee has a large and diverse independent workforce. We work with musicians and creative professionals, truck drivers, logistics contractors, real estate agents, tradespeople, health care contractors, consultants, freelancers, small business owners, and other people who buy their own coverage.

Self-employed households often have another challenge: estimating income for Marketplace financial assistance.

Learn more about self-employed health insurance →

Health Insurance for Nashville's Music and Creative Industry

Nashville's music economy includes thousands of people who do not receive traditional employer health benefits.

That can include:

• Musicians
• Songwriters
• Producers and engineers
• Touring crew members
• Sound and lighting technicians
• Stage professionals
• Photographers and videographers
• Independent creative professionals

Variable income, touring schedules, and out-of-state travel can make both Marketplace income estimation and provider-network selection important.

Looking for a PPO in Tennessee?

Provider-network structure can be particularly important if you travel frequently, work in multiple states, live near a state border, or want access to physicians outside your local health system.

Marketplace plan networks vary by carrier, rating area, and specific plan.

Other non-Marketplace health products may use PPO networks, but the breadth of those networks and their out-of-area rules can differ substantially.

Marketplace Plans vs. Other Private Health Coverage

Tennessee residents may also encounter individual health products sold outside HealthCare.gov.

These products do not necessarily provide the same benefits and protections as ACA Marketplace coverage.

TennCare: Tennessee Medicaid

Tennessee's Medicaid program is called TennCare.

Tennessee has not adopted the ACA Medicaid expansion for the general low-income adult population.

Instead, TennCare eligibility depends on fitting into specific coverage categories.

TennCare currently covers qualifying people in groups such as:

• Children
• Pregnant women
• Parents and caretaker relatives
• People receiving SSI
• Certain people who are elderly or have disabilities
• People who qualify for long-term services and supports
• Other specific Medicaid categories

Tennessee Medicaid Income Limits Vary by Eligibility Category

Because Tennessee has not expanded Medicaid, there is no single income threshold that applies to every low-income adult.

Current 2026 TennCare limits include examples such as:

The Tennessee Medicaid Coverage Gap

Because Tennessee has not expanded Medicaid, some very low-income adults can fall into what is commonly called the Medicaid coverage gap.

Under the general federal rules, Marketplace Premium Tax Credits generally begin at 100% of the federal poverty level.

But Tennessee does not provide a general Medicaid eligibility category for every adult whose income falls below that level.

Do the New 2027 Medicaid Work Requirements Affect TennCare?

Federal Medicaid rules are changing in 2027, including new community-engagement requirements that primarily affect adults enrolled through ACA Medicaid expansion.

Tennessee is different because it did not expand Medicaid.

TennCare says the federal community-engagement requirement will not result in changes to Medicaid eligibility for Tennessee members.

A small group of parents covered under Tennessee's existing waiver technically falls under the federal rule, but TennCare says those members already satisfy the community-engagement requirement based on the income rules used for that eligibility group.

What If You Lose TennCare?

TennCare coverage can end because of changes in income, household circumstances, residency, age, or eligibility category.

TennCare may first review whether you qualify for another Medicaid category or temporary coverage.

If TennCare ends, losing Medicaid can also create a Special Enrollment Period through HealthCare.gov.

Possible alternatives may include:

• A HealthCare.gov Marketplace plan
• An employer-sponsored health plan
• A spouse's employer coverage
• CoverKids for eligible children
• Other available individual coverage

Your Tennessee Location and Provider Network Matter

Tennessee is divided into eight Marketplace rating areas, and insurer availability varies across those regions.

Someone in Nashville can have a different carrier lineup and provider-network situation than someone in Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga, or the Tri-Cities.

Before enrolling, check:

• Your primary care doctor
• Your specialists
• Your preferred hospital or health system
• Your regular prescriptions
• Your preferred pharmacy
• Nearby urgent care facilities
• Out-of-area coverage if you travel frequently

Leaving a Job or Losing Employer Health Insurance?

Losing qualifying employer-sponsored coverage can create a Special Enrollment Period through HealthCare.gov.

Depending on your situation, compare:

• COBRA continuation coverage
• A spouse's employer-sponsored plan
• A HealthCare.gov Marketplace plan
• TennCare or CoverKids if eligible
• Other available individual coverage

COBRA can allow you to temporarily keep the same employer coverage, but the monthly cost may increase considerably when the employer stops contributing.

Learn more about COBRA alternatives →

Tennessee Health Insurance for Early Retirees

Retiring before age 65 can create several years between employer coverage and Medicare eligibility.

Depending on your situation, you may compare:

• HealthCare.gov Marketplace coverage
• COBRA
• A spouse's employer-sponsored plan
• Other available private coverage

Marketplace financial assistance can make income planning especially important because pensions, taxable retirement withdrawals, investment income, self-employment income, and other income can affect household MAGI.

Small Business Health Insurance in Tennessee

Tennessee employers have several ways to approach employee health benefits.

Depending on the business, options may include:

Learn more about small business health insurance →

How We Help Tennessee Residents

Serving Clients Across Tennessee

We work with Tennessee residents by phone and video, so you don't need to live near a local insurance office.

Official Tennessee Health Insurance Resources

Common Questions About Tennessee Health Insurance