Tennessee · Resources
The numbers you actually need — Tennessee.
Phone numbers, agencies, free legal help, forms, and the statutes our topic guides cite. The page to bookmark when you don’t want to dig.
If you need help right now
State Medicaid agency
The office that determines eligibility and runs the program
TennCare (Tennessee Medicaid)
TennCare administers Tennessee Medicaid. Long-term care is delivered through TennCare CHOICES, a managed-long-term-services-and-supports (MLTSS) program operated by three MCOs.
Aging services — your entry point
Single number that routes to your local Area Agency on Aging
Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disability
State unit on aging; coordinates the nine Area Agencies on Aging and Disability (AAAD) regions across Tennessee.
Adult Protective Services
If you suspect abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation, call this number
Free Medicare counseling (SHIP)
Federally-funded, unbiased — not selling you a plan
SHIP-TN — Tennessee State Health Insurance Assistance Program
Free, unbiased Medicare counseling through the Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disability.
State health department
Regulates nursing homes and licensed facilities
Tennessee Department of Health — Health Care Facilities
Licenses and inspects nursing homes, assisted-care living facilities, and home-care providers.
Finding a lawyer
Bar referral first, legal aid if income-qualified
Tennessee Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service
Legal Aid of East Tennessee
Civil legal aid for low-income residents of East Tennessee.
Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands
Serves 48 counties in Middle Tennessee, including Nashville.
Memphis Area Legal Services
Civil legal aid for Shelby and surrounding counties.
West Tennessee Legal Services
Covers 17 counties in West Tennessee outside Memphis.
Nonprofits worth knowing
State chapters and organizations focused on aging in this state
Alzheimer's Association — Tennessee chapters
24/7 helpline, caregiver support groups across the state.
AARP Tennessee
Statewide advocacy and caregiver resources.
Tennessee Coalition for Long Term Care
Advocacy and policy coalition for LTC consumers, families, and providers.
Other hotlines
Numbers worth saving in your phone
- 1-800-633-4227
Medicare (federal)
1-800-MEDICARE — 24/7 federal Medicare helpline.
- 1-877-236-0013
Tennessee Long-Term Care Ombudsman
Resident-advocacy hotline for nursing-home and assisted-living complaints.
- 211
Tennessee 2-1-1
Statewide community resource referrals.
Forms & templates
Official Tennessee document references
Tennessee Durable Power of Attorney
Statutory form recognized under the Tennessee Uniform Durable Power of Attorney Act (Tenn. Code Ann. §34-6-101 et seq.). Tennessee-specific drafting recommended.
Tennessee Advance Care Plan / Living Will
Tennessee Health Care Decisions Act forms (Tenn. Code Ann. §68-11-1801 et seq.). Combined advance directive plus appointment of health care agent.
Tennessee POST (Physician Orders for Scope of Treatment)
Tennessee's POLST equivalent for end-of-life medical orders.
Property Tax Relief Application
Tennessee Property Tax Relief Program for elderly homeowners. Income-tested. Apply through county trustee.
Key statutes we cite
Tennessee laws referenced across our topic guides
| Citation | Subject |
|---|---|
| Tenn. Code Ann. §34-6-101 et seq. | Tennessee Uniform Durable Power of Attorney Act |
| Tenn. Code Ann. §34-6-201 et seq. | Tennessee Health Care Decisions Act (advance directives) |
| Tenn. Code Ann. §35-15-101 et seq. | Tennessee Uniform Trust Code |
| Tenn. Code Ann. §30-1-101 et seq. | Tennessee Probate Code |
| Tenn. Code Ann. §31-4-101 et seq. | Tennessee elective share (surviving spouse) |
| Tenn. Code Ann. §71-6-101 et seq. | Tennessee Adult Protection Act |
| Tenn. Code Ann. §26-2-301 | Tennessee Homestead Exemption (limited, $5,000-$25,000) |
| Tenn. Const. Art. II §28 | Constitutional prohibition on state income tax on wages |
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