Katie Beckett in Tennessee: Therapy Help Regardless of Family Income

If your child has a disability or complex medical needs but doesn't qualify for TennCare because of your income, Tennessee's Katie Beckett program may be one of the most important things to look into. It's designed for exactly that gap. Here's a clear overview of who it's for and how it can help with therapy.

What is the Katie Beckett program?

Katie Beckett is a TennCare program, run in partnership with the Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging, for children under 18 with disabilities or complex medical needs. Its whole purpose is to help families who don't qualify for TennCare/Medicaid based on income still get help — because eligibility is based on the child's own needs, not the parents' finances.

Who qualifies?

• Children under age 18.
• A significant disability or complex medical needs.
• Children who do NOT qualify for TennCare/Medicaid based on family income or assets.
• Eligibility is based on the child's level of care — and is determined by the state.

Part A and Part B

Katie Beckett has two parts. Part A is for children whose level of care would qualify them for institutional care but who are cared for at home; they receive full TennCare benefits — which can include therapies like speech, occupational, and physical therapy — plus up to $15,000 a year in home- and community-based services. Part B is for children who don't meet that level of care; instead of enrolling in TennCare, families get up to $10,000 a year in a flexible package that can help with things like premium assistance, respite, and reimbursement for services insurance doesn't cover.

TennCare determines eligibility, whether a child is in Part A or Part B, and what's covered — and there can be level-of-care tiers and waitlists. Use this as a starting map, then verify the current details on the official tn.gov page and through your application.

How it can help pay for therapy

For families in Part A, the full TennCare benefits can include speech-language and occupational therapy. For families in Part B, the flexible funds can sometimes help cover therapy costs that private insurance doesn't. Either way, it's a path many Tennessee families use to make consistent therapy affordable.

How to apply

• Apply through TennCare Connect (tenncareconnect.tn.gov) or a TennCare application.
• The state reviews your child's disability and level of care.
• TennCare determines eligibility and whether your child is placed in Part A or Part B.

Working with Midsouth Therapy Group

We work with Katie Beckett families for speech-language and occupational therapy. If your child is enrolled — or you're in the middle of applying — call us and we'll help you understand how your child's plan fits with therapy here.