Friday 8 August 2008Governor Phil Bredesen has announced CoverKids Tennessee’s health insurance program for uninsured children is providing dental benefits to program members and giving families an easier way to enroll with an online application. “The dental benefit is an important addition to CoverKids’ preventative health services ” Bredesen said. “It makes CoverKids even more beneficial for the families who rely on the program and the online application should help even more families enroll in the program.” CoverKids’ dental services include the following benefits: ● Oral exams and cleanings up to twice a year with no copays; ● X-rays up to twice a year for bitewing and full mouth once every three years with no copays; ● Routine fillings and stainless steel crowns up to a $15 copay depending on income; and ● Emergency services four visits in a calendar year up to a $15 copay for each visit depending on income. There are no deductibles for any dental services and CoverKids’ annual maximum for dental benefits is $600 per child per year. CoverKids’ members automatically receive the dental benefit which is available to all new members joining the program. CoverKids began offering members vision benefits in January 2008 in its first expansion of benefits to members. The vision benefit covers annual vision exams glaucoma testing eyeglass lenses or contact lenses once every 12 months and routine replacement of eyeglass frames once every 24 months. Parents interested in signing their children up for CoverKids through the program’s online application can go to www.CoverTN.gov and click the CoverKids Apply Now button. CoverKids currently has 24 916 members in the program. CoverKids is part of Cover Tennessee Bredesen’s multi-pronged effort to extend health insurance to Tennessee’s uninsured. Cover Tennessee’s other programs are: CoverTN affordable basic health insurance small businesses individuals and the self-employed; AccessTN comprehensive health insurance for Tennesseans with uninsurable or chronic health care conditions; and CoverRx a pharmacy assistance program providing uninsured Tennesseans access to affordable prescriptions. For more information on any of the Cover Tennessee programs visit www.CoverTN.gov or call 1-866-COVERTN.
