On May 27, 2010 Governor Phil Bredesen signed landmark, bi-partisan legislation to provide access to Medigap secondary coverage for Tennessee’s end stage renal disease (ESRD) and disabled patients who are struggling to access needed medical care due to financial barriers.  The bill will provide first-time access to Medigap coverage for Tennessee's Medicare beneficiaries under age 65, including ESRD patients.  Medicare beneficiaries over age 65 are already able to purchase Medigap as secondary coverage.  Beginning January 1, 2011 all dialysis patients with Medicare coverage will be able to purchase Medigap plans. 

Thank you to all of you who worked hard to send emails and make phone calls when the were needed. Your hard work made the difference.

>Please let us know about your experience purchasing Medigap under the new Tennessee law.

Tennessee Dialysis Patient Resources

Tennessee Kidney Foundation
This foundation has a variety of programs to assist patients suffering from kidney disease.
A financial assistance program exists for dialysis patients, but current kidney patients in stages 1-4 of chronic kidney disease are not eligible.  A maximum award of $150 is available per patient.  Income is not a factor for eligibility in this program.  The patient must be on dialysis, a state resident and seek aid through their social worker.
1-800-380-3887

#8 ESRD Network
1755 Lelia Drive, Suite 400
Jaskson, MS  39216
1-877-936-9260

NKF of West Tennessee, Inc.
857 Mount Moriah Rd Ste 201
Memphis, TN 38117-5704
Phone: 1-901-683-6185
Toll Free: 1-800-273-3869
Fax: 1-901-683-6189
E-mail: info@nkfwtn.org

The Kidney Foundation of the Greater Chattanooga Area, Inc.
1020 Dallas Road, Suite 401
Chattanooga, TN 37405
Telephone: 1-423-265-4397
Fax: 1-423-265-4398.
Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m
Email: jennifer@kidneyfoundation.com

TennCare
1-866-268-3786

• Adult Programs: A medical assistance program designed for people who are eligible for Medicaid, as well as for some children who do not have insurance. A Medicaid waiver, or demonstration, program. Its purpose is to demonstrate that the use of managed-care principles can generate sufficient savings to enable the state to cover more than Medicaid eligible people.
• Programs for Children: CoverKids is designed for uninsured children age 18 and younger whose families earn within 250 percent of the federal poverty level.
• Medication Programs: CoverRX Affordable prescriptions for eligible residents who have no prescription coverage.
• Additional Programs: Cover Tennessee is a partnership between the state, employers and individuals that makes health care coverage affordable for the state's working uninsured.  AccessTN provides comprehensive health insurance for Tennesseans who are uninsurable due to pre-existing medical conditions. Three different plans are available with varying deductibles and participants can select the plan that is best for their situation