Tennessee Health Insurance

Tennessee has fewer health insurance regulations than most states. Still, it's important to familiarize yourself with them, so you're more confident and wise in your purchase.

This guide:

  • Describes Tennessee health insurance policy regulations.

  • Lists rules Tennessee health insurance companies must follow.

Health insurance policies are regulated by each state's own health insurance laws. Tennessee health insurance companies and policyholders alike must abide by established insurance laws.

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Tennessee health insurance regulations

Some of the most important Tennessee health insurance laws are the ones that influence the health insurance policy specifically.

For one, Tennessee health insurance companies can include a pre-existing condition exclusion period within your Tennessee health insurance policy. The exclusion period can last up to 2 years. Conditions are considered to be a pre-existing if you obtained medical care for or were diagnosed for them before the beginning of the health insurance plan.

During the exclusion period, your Tennessee health insurance company is not responsible for covering any medical costs related to the pre-existing condition.

If you are switching Tennessee health insurance companies and have had continuous coverage under a small group policy, your old coverage can be used to credit the pre-existing condition period of your new Tennessee health insurance plan. Any other policy will not earn credit toward the period.

Tennessee health insurance policies can also include elimination riders, which permanently exclude condition from coverage.

Secondly, Tennessee health insurance policies are required to have a guaranteed renewability provision. This provision states that no matter what the status of your health is, your Indiana health insurance is always renewable.

Finally, Tennessee health insurance policies all must contain a provision regarding newborns and adopted children. Tennessee health insurance laws require health insurance policies to automatically included newborns and adopted children under a parent's individual health insurance coverage for 31 days if the parents' policy already provides coverage for dependents.

Regulating Tennessee health insurance companies

Like laws regulating Tennessee health insurance policies, the rules Tennessee health insurance companies must follow in regards to price and policy aren't too restrictive either.

For one, any Tennessee health insurance company can refuse your application for health insurance. In considering your application the health insurance company can also take into account your health and charge you more if your health is determined to be a liability.

Similarly, there are no limits to how much a Tennessee health insurance company can charge you. Premiums may increase significantly with declining health and age.

However, once you purchase an Tennessee health insurance policy, your insurance company must honor your request to renew your health insurance policy. Unless you have violated a policy regulation, no insurance company can refuse to renew your health insurance policy.

Temporary Tennessee health insurance

If you are seeking temporary health insurance because you have a break in health insurance coverage, conversion policies are a good choice. These Tennessee health insurance policies are available to you if you have recently left a fully insured group policy and have used up all possible COBRA continuation coverage.

You can also qualify for a conversion plan if you have lost your Tennessee health insurance coverage through the death of a spouse or if you are no longer covered as a dependent.

Obtaining a conversion policy is relatively easy. Your former Tennessee health insurance company is required to offer you three policies with varying degrees of coverage.

Although the price of conversion plans may be higher and the coverage less than your former Tennessee health insurance policy, conversion policies offer adequate insurance in times when you have breaks in between your coverage.

Furthermore, you will not be required to meet a new pre-existing condition exclusion plan. And finally, like regular individual health insurance, your conversion plan can not be canceled because you fall ill.

If you are ineligible for a conversion policy, temporary Tennessee health insurance is available from some companies.

More TN health insurance help

If you want more help getting the a good health insurance policy, read our guide to health insurance.

Also see the guide to Tennessee small business health insurance.

To find out more about TN health insurance laws and regulations, visit the official website of the Tennessee Commerce and Insurance Administration.