If you move to Tennessee, your Marketplace plan from another state usually can’t come with you. Moving to a new state can give you a special enrollment period, so you have 60 days from the move to pick a Tennessee plan, as long as you meet the prior coverage rule. The rules apply whether you land in Nashville, Murfreesboro, Clarksville, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Memphis, the Tri-Cities or a small town in between.
This article is educational. Instant Health Help is a licensed health insurance agency, and our agent, Lobsang Rivas, is licensed in Tennessee. We are not HealthCare.gov, TennCare, or an insurance company. We do not quote prices or name plans here. See the official HealthCare.gov page on reporting a move.
The short answer
- Report your move to your old state’s Marketplace and plan to end that coverage.
- Start a new application for Tennessee on HealthCare.gov.
- Pick a plan within 60 days of your move.
- Keep proof of your new Tennessee address and of the coverage you had before the move.
Why the old plan doesn’t follow you
HealthCare.gov explains that plans are sold by area, so you generally can’t keep your plan if you move to a new state. You need a new application for your new state, and you should end the old plan so you are not paying for coverage you can’t use. Tennessee uses HealthCare.gov. If you came from a state with its own Marketplace website, your old account will not carry over.
Who gets the moving special enrollment period
HealthCare.gov lists moves that can qualify, including:
- Moving to a new home in a new ZIP code or county.
- Moving to the U.S. from abroad or from a U.S. territory.
- Moving to or from a place where you attend school.
- For seasonal workers, moving to or from the place you both live and work.
Moving only to get medical treatment, or staying somewhere for vacation, does not qualify.
The prior coverage rule
To use this special enrollment period, HealthCare.gov says you generally must show you had qualifying health coverage for at least 1 day during the 60 days before your move. There are exceptions, for example if you moved from another country or a U.S. territory, or if you are a member of a federally recognized tribe. See next steps after a move and how to confirm your special enrollment period.
Proof to keep
HealthCare.gov may ask for documents. Examples of proof of your new address include mail from a government agency, utility bills, rental or mortgage documents, or a homeowner’s insurance policy that shows your new address. You may also need proof of your old coverage. If you are asked, send documents within 30 days of picking your plan.
Coming for a job
Many people move to Tennessee for work: auto and battery plants, hospitals and health care companies, logistics around Memphis, the music business, and remote work. If your new employer offers coverage, ask HR when it starts. There may be a waiting period before it starts, so plan your coverage for the weeks in between. If the job’s offer counts as affordable, you usually can’t get Marketplace savings for yourself.
Your savings are based on what you expect to earn next year, not last year. A careful estimate helps you avoid a surprise at tax time. Premium tax credits are generally available to households earning between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level. Above 400%, the credit generally isn’t available. If you are self-employed or play gigs, read our guide to self-employed health insurance in Tennessee.
TennCare and CoverKids
TennCare has its own rules, and they are different from the state you left. Apply through TennCare Connect or call 855-259-0701 (TN Relay 800-848-0298). Our guide to TennCare vs. the Marketplace explains how a family can end up in different programs. Children may qualify for CoverKids.
Moving close to 65?
If you are turning 65 or already have Medicare, the Marketplace isn’t the right place for you. Read our guide on moving from the Marketplace to Medicare in Tennessee.
Missed the 60 days?
If your 60 days pass, you may have to wait for open enrollment. See our Tennessee open enrollment guide for the fall dates and steps. You can reach the HealthCare.gov call center at 1-800-318-2596 (TTY 1-855-889-4325).
How we help
We are licensed in Tennessee and help by phone and online, in English or Spanish. Learn more on our Tennessee health insurance help page. We can help you time the end of your old plan and the start of a new one, check which documents prove your move, compare plans for your new county, check your doctors and prescriptions, and help you enroll if you decide to. The Marketplace and TennCare decide eligibility.
Want to talk it through?
Have your move date, your new address, your old plan’s details and a rough idea of your income for next year, and we will go over your options step by step.
Call (321) 315-0054 | agent@inshh.com
You may qualify after tax credits. Eligibility varies.
Featured photo: Nashville skyline from Fort Negley by Jschnake, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped with text added.