NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Federal leaders approved a change to the Tennessee Medicaid Waiver that lets the state give out 100 diapers a month for parents and caregivers of young children among other changes, the Division of TennCare said on Tuesday.
In 2023, the Tennessee General Assembly approved an initiative from Governor Bill Lee to create a grant program providing access to maternal healthcare and resources for families — the Strong Families Grant Program. The Division of TennCare said part of that initiative was to provide diapers to families across the state.
With the amendment to TennCare approved, the state can provide up to 100 diapers per month, per child, for children under 2 years old who are enrolled in TennCare or CoverKids. Families can get the diapers starting in August.
The program already provides diapers and incontinence products for people with conditions requiring them.
"Enhancing TennCare and CoverKids coverage of diapers supports families with infants by ensuring a monthly supply of up to 100 diapers, and therefore preventing avoidable health care use and improving overall infant health," the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said in a letter to the state.
The CMMS approved the amendment to TennCare on May 17 and the letter also said the changes would be effective through Dec. 31, 2030. The amendment also expands TennCare eligibility for parents and caretaker relatives of dependent children and enhances home and community-based services available to people with disabilities, going into effect on June 1.
Low-income parents and caretaker relatives will be eligible for TennCare benefits as long as their income is up to 100% of the federal poverty level, the letter said. Before the change, the requirement was based on a different income standard.
The letter also said the changes to TennCare would expand home and community-based services by combining the definition of "Attendant Care" and "Personal Care" into one service and adding community transportation as a benefit for eligible TennCare members, along with several other changes.
"This amendment is likely to assist in promoting the objectives of Medicaid by expanding coverage and benefits available under the demonstration," the letter said.
The Division of TennCare said it would provide more information about how families can access the diapers when the initiative is ready to launch.