TennCare Unlawfully Terminated Coverage for Thousands

A federal judge ruled that Tennessee's Medicaid program, TennCare, unlawfully terminated healthcare coverage for thousands, violating the Medicaid Act, Due Process Clause, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ruling stems from a class-action lawsuit initiated by a group of 35 children and adults in 2020, which highlighted systemic flaws in TennCare's eligibility verification process that led to wrongful disenrollment without proper notice. The court found that TennCare's computerized Eligibility Determination System, implemented in March 2019, had critical programming errors that failed to consider all eligibility categories, disproportionately impacting disabled individuals. U.S. District Judge Waverly D. Crenshaw emphasized that disadvantaged Tennesseans should not have to rely on luck or legal advocacy to secure their entitled healthcare benefits. TennCare officials are currently reviewing the ruling to determine their next steps. This case highlights ongoing issues within Tennessee's healthcare system, particularly for those living with disabilities and in rural areas.