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Understanding TennCare CHOICES and OPTIONS Programs


understanding-tenncare-choices-options-programs

Understanding TennCare CHOICES and OPTIONS Programs

Navigating Tennessee’s senior assistance options can feel overwhelming for families. At Good Hands Home Health Care, we understand this challenge. That’s why we’ve crafted this straight-talking guide to unveil the valuable benefits waiting for you through TennCare CHOICES and OPTIONS initiatives.

What Is the TennCare CHOICES Program?

CHOICES unlocks vital long-term support for qualifying seniors and adults with disabilities across Tennessee. You’ll qualify when you’re 65+ or 21+ with disabilities, fall within financial guidelines (income under $2,742, assets below $2,000), and need nursing-level care. The program delivers a spectrum of services including personal care assistance, home maintenance help, meal provision, living space adaptations, emergency alert systems, and caregiver breaks—all tailored through individualized care blueprints.

This lifeline allows older Tennesseans to preserve their dignity while living independently in cherished home environments. TennCare CHOICES eases financial burdens while boosting wellbeing through seamlessly integrated health services. Family members providing care gain essential breathing room, and countless families have found that enrollment helps sidestep or postpone nursing facility moves—keeping loved ones woven into the fabric of their neighborhoods far longer.

What Is the TennCare OPTIONS Program?

The OPTIONS program opens doors for Tennessee seniors who don’t qualify for TennCare CHOICES. Designed for adults 60+ and people with disabilities, this state-backed initiative brings independent living within reach through its no-income-ceiling approach, pay-what-you-can fee structure, at-home support services, and flexible care arrangements. The OPTIONS program champions older adults’ right to age safely in their own four walls with just the right touch of helping hands.

Comparing TennCare CHOICES and OPTIONS Programs:


Feature TennCare CHOICES OPTIONS Program

Funding Source


Medicaid (federal/state)


State funds only


Income Requirements


Strict income limits


No income cap (sliding fee scale)


Scope of Services


Comprehensive


More limited


Medical Coverage


Includes medical care


Does not include medical coverage


Waiting List


Prioritized by need


Often has waiting lists


Application Process


More complex


Somewhat simpler


Seniors whose income surpasses TennCare CHOICES limits but who still need a helping hand with day-to-day tasks often discover the OPTIONS program fits like a glove. It welcomes folks ready to chip in for their care costs, those in a holding pattern for other assistance, or older adults facing pressing but contained challenges. At Good Hands Home Health Care, we steer clients toward their perfect-fit solution, with the OPTIONS program serving as a stepping stone to continued self-reliance.

How to Apply for TennCare CHOICES and OPTIONS

Ready to get started with TennCare? Simply call the Area Agency on Aging (AAAD) at 866-836-6678 to kick off your screening and arrange an at-home assessment. TennCare CHOICES candidates will need to share financial paperwork to show they meet the program’s income and resource criteria.

Key Steps in the Application Process:

  1. Knock out the phone screening with AAAD
  2. Set up and welcome an in-home needs evaluator
  3. Round up your financial paperwork
  4. Team up with a coordinator to craft your custom care roadmap
  5. Handpick your service partners (like Good Hands Home Health Care)
  6. Welcome your new support team into your home
  7. Check in periodically to fine-tune your care plan

Before application day, gather your essentials: proof you’re a Tennessee resident and your age verification, your Social Security card, health insurance details, recent bank records, property ownership papers, and medical history documents. Need a helping hand with the forms? Reach out to your local Area Agency on Aging and Disability, dial Medicaid Connect (855-259-0701), or chat with Good Hands Home Health Care specialists. Our dedicated team walks families through every step, ensuring nothing falls through the cracks while setting crystal-clear expectations.

Elder Care in Tennessee: What You Need to Know

The Volunteer State’s elder care landscape blooms with possibilities for seniors, with CHOICES and OPTIONS programs leading the way. Tennessee doesn’t stop there—it sprinkles in extra services like meal support and ride assistance to help mature adults maintain their self-sufficiency. Top-notch care stands front and center as these resources champion easy access, budget-friendly solutions, and smoothly orchestrated support that puts seniors’ wishes in the driver’s seat.

Essential Support Services for Tennessee Seniors:

  • Safeguarding measures for at-risk older adults
  • Door-to-doctor transportation solutions for healthcare visits
  • Community dining spots and doorstep meal delivery services
  • Legal guidance and Medicare navigation through SHIP
  • Career pathways and giving-back opportunities for seniors
  • Breathing room and skill-building for family caregivers
  • Stumble-proofing homes and boosting safety measures
  • Social hubs and connection-building at senior centers

Grassroots efforts spotlight “aging where you belong,” helping seasoned Tennesseans stay rooted in their cherished spaces through smart state funding for home makeovers, caregiver skill development, service choreography, and freedom-boosting gadgets. Thanks to these thoughtful initiatives, silver-haired neighbors can keep their community bonds thriving while receiving just-right assistance, honoring their heartfelt wish to remain captains of their own ships in the harbors they call home.

Additional Senior Support Programs to Consider

Looking beyond TennCare CHOICES and OPTIONS? Tennessee’s senior support landscape blossoms with alternatives! Good Hands Home Health Care links our clients with neighborhood treasures like church-based helping hands and volunteer chauffeurs. Our team rolls up their sleeves with everyday non-medical support right where you live—friendly faces who pop by for heart-to-heart chats, gentle medication nudges, pantry-stocking runs, and keeping your living space shipshape. By weaving these helping threads together, we empower seniors to write their own stories while keeping their community roots strong and healthy.

Get Personalized Guidance for TennCare Programs

Let Good Hands Home Health Care shine a light forward with our no-cost, no-pressure consultations to pinpoint the perfect-fit TennCare programs for your cherished family member. Our compassionate navigators break down confusing eligibility rules, tackle paperwork headaches, and sketch out support plans as unique as your loved one. Just dial 610-285-1095 or swing by our Nashville hub offering heartfelt support that champions your family member’s dignity and independence. Partner with us to uncover the exceptional assistance your treasured relatives have earned through a lifetime of giving.