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Medicare help in Tennessee from a licensed independent agent

I'm John Morrison, an independent insurance agent licensed in Tennessee (NPN 3680444), based in Soddy Daisy, and not connected with or endorsed by Medicare, the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance, or any government agency.

Tennessee

How I work with folks in Tennessee.

Tennessee is home. If you're turning 65, already retired, or helping a parent, this page is for you. I help with Medicare Advantage, Part D drug plans, Medicare Supplements (also called Medigap), the timing of Social Security and Medicare, life insurance and final expense, and annuities.

Around Chattanooga, I'll come to your kitchen table. Anywhere else in the state, we meet by phone or video.

The state also has a free counseling program, the Tennessee State Health Insurance Assistance Program (TN SHIP).

Medicare in Tennessee: what's different here

One rule here matters most if you're on Medicare before 65. According to the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance (as of February 2025), Medigap companies here are required to offer coverage to people under age 65 who apply within six months of enrolling in Part B. What's available to you depends on your situation, so if this is you, call me or TN SHIP before that six-month window closes.

For switching later, the state's guaranteed-issue rule lists specific events. It doesn't include a yearly birthday or anniversary window. Two examples: losing employer group coverage in certain cases, or leaving a Medicare Advantage plan within 12 months of joining it. That second one applies only if you joined when you were first eligible for Medicare at 65, or if you dropped a Medigap policy to join a Medicare Advantage plan for the first time. Outside those events and your six-month open enrollment, the state rule doesn't give you that protection, so ask me or TN SHIP before you drop a policy.

As of September 2026, about 1.54 million Tennesseans were eligible for Medicare, and about 54 percent were in a Medicare Advantage plan. Nationally, the 2026 figure is 55 percent. Which fits you depends on your doctors, prescriptions, and budget.

  • Replacing a policy: if a new insurer accepts you, the Department says the replacement Medigap policy can't make you wait for coverage of a health problem you already have.
  • Changing your mind: every Medigap policy sold here gives you 30 days after delivery to return it for a full premium refund, for any reason.

Turning 65 in Tennessee: key Medicare dates

I explain the timing and help you line Medicare up with your retirement date, to help you avoid a gap in coverage or a late penalty. I can't sign you up for Part A or Part B. For that you contact Social Security, online at ssa.gov/medicare/sign-up or through your local Social Security office.

  • Initial Enrollment Period: 7 months, starting 3 months before the month you turn 65 and ending 3 months after it.
  • Still working past 65, with group health coverage through your job or your spouse's current job? You can generally wait on Part B without a late penalty. Once the job or the coverage ends, you have an 8-month Special Enrollment Period.
  • Medigap open enrollment: under the state rule, six months starting the first month you are both 65 or older and enrolled in Part B. Apply then and an insurer can't turn you down or charge you more because of your health.
  • Medicare Open Enrollment: October 15 – December 7 every year. Changes take effect January 1.
  • Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment: January 1 – March 31, only if you're already in a Medicare Advantage plan, and only one change.
  • General Enrollment: January 1 – March 31 to sign up for Part A or Part B if you missed your Initial Enrollment Period. Coverage starts the month after you sign up.
  • Moving outside your plan's service area, or to a new address in your plan's area that has new plan options, can trigger a Special Enrollment Period that runs for 2 full months after the move.

Help paying for Medicare in Tennessee

In Tennessee, TennCare, the state's Medicaid program, runs four Medicare Savings Programs (QMB, SLMB, QI1 and QDWI). Depending on which one you qualify for, it may help pay your Medicare premiums and some of your out-of-pocket costs. Tennessee is also what's called a Part A buy-in state. If you qualify for QMB and already have Part B, the state can enroll you in Part A. You apply through TennCare, and TN SHIP will help with the application at 1-877-801-0044.

Extra Help is the federal program that helps people with limited income and resources pay Part D premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance. With full Medicaid, a Medicare Savings Program, or SSI, you get it automatically. Otherwise you apply through Social Security at ssa.gov.

The state's prescription drug program, CoverRx, isn't open to anyone with any part of Medicare (A, B, C or D).

Tennessee also has a Long-Term Care Insurance Partnership Program. If you have a qualified Partnership policy and later apply for Medicaid through TennCare, an amount of your assets equal to what the policy has paid in benefits can be disregarded when TennCare decides whether you qualify. Buying one does not automatically qualify you for Medicaid.

I don't decide who qualifies, and I don't quote income limits because they change.

Working with me from Tennessee

I'm licensed for the whole state, so I can help wherever you are in Tennessee.

For a question or complaint about an agent or policy, the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance's Consumer Insurance Services line is 615-741-2218 or toll-free 1-800-342-4029. If it's about me, ask about John Morrison (John F. Morrison on the license), NPN 3680444.

Family in another state? I'm licensed only in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.

Six product lines

What I can help with in Tennessee.

The same six things I help every client with, explained one at a time. Pick the one you’re wondering about.

Medicare Advantage in Tennessee

As of September 2026, about 54 percent of Medicare-eligible Tennesseans were in a Medicare Advantage plan, close to the national share.

Read more about Medicare Advantage

Prescription Drug Plans in Tennessee

Tennessee's CoverRx program is not open to anyone with Medicare, so it won't help with Part D costs. The federal Extra Help program may, and you get it automatically with full Medicaid, a Medicare Savings Program, or SSI.

Read more about Prescription Drug Plans

Medicare Supplements in Tennessee

Per the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance (as of February 2025), Medigap companies must offer coverage to people under 65 who apply within six months of enrolling in Part B. What's available depends on your situation.

Read more about Medicare Supplements

SS & Medicare Enrollment in Tennessee

The state's six-month Medigap window starts the first month you're 65 or older and on Part B, so we time Part B carefully.

Read more about SS & Medicare Enrollment

Life Insurance in Tennessee

Take care of family. Take care of the bill. No drama.

Read more about Life Insurance

Annuities in Tennessee

I'm licensed. I don't push. If you ask, we'll talk. If you don't, we won't.

Read more about Annuities

Plan availability varies by state and county. Final recommendations are individualized to each client's situation.

Official help

Free, official help in Tennessee.

These are government and nonprofit offices, not sales lines. I point clients to them all the time, and I’d rather you hear the rules from them too than take my word alone.

FAQ

Medicare questions from Tennessee

Is John Morrison licensed to help with Medicare in Tennessee?
Yes. I'm a licensed independent insurance producer in Tennessee, NPN 3680444. Questions or complaints about any agent go to the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance at 615-741-2218 or 1-800-342-4029. I'm licensed only in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. If you live elsewhere, find your state's SHIP at shiphelp.org or 1-877-839-2675.
Are you part of Medicare or the Tennessee government?
No. I'm an independent insurance agent. I'm not connected with or endorsed by Medicare, the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance, TennCare, or any government agency. For the government's own help, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227, TTY 1-877-486-2048) or TN SHIP at 1-877-801-0044.
Can I buy a Medicare Supplement in Tennessee if I'm under 65 and on Medicare because of a disability?
According to the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance, Medigap companies here are required to offer coverage to people under age 65 who apply within six months of enrolling in Medicare Part B. Which plans you can choose from depends on your situation. Call me or TN SHIP at 1-877-801-0044 before the window closes.
Does Tennessee have a birthday rule or another window to switch Medigap plans without health questions?
The state's guaranteed-issue rule lists specific events and doesn't include a birthday or anniversary window. Outside those events and your six-month open enrollment, the state rule doesn't give you that protection, so ask me or TN SHIP before you drop a policy.
Who runs the free Medicare counseling program in Tennessee, and how do I reach them?
It's the Tennessee State Health Insurance Assistance Program, or TN SHIP, which sits within the Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging. It offers free, unbiased Medicare counseling to people eligible for Medicare, their families, and caregivers. Call 1-877-801-0044. They're not connected with me.
Where do I apply for a Medicare Savings Program or Extra Help in Tennessee?
You apply for a Medicare Savings Program such as QMB or SLMB through TennCare, the state's Medicaid program, and TN SHIP will help with the application at 1-877-801-0044. You apply for Extra Help, for Part D drug costs, through Social Security at ssa.gov, unless you already have full Medicaid, a Medicare Savings Program, or SSI; then you get it automatically.
Do you meet Tennessee clients in person, or by phone and video?
Both. Around Chattanooga, I'll come to your kitchen table. Everywhere else in the state, we meet by phone or video.
If I move to or from Tennessee, do I have to change my Medicare plan?
Medicare Advantage and Part D plans have service areas. If you move outside your plan's area, or to a new address in your plan's area that has new plan options, you get a Special Enrollment Period to switch. It begins when you move and runs for 2 full months after. Whether you must switch depends on your plan and your new address. Call me before the move. If you're moving to a state where I'm not licensed, that state's SHIP can help; find it at shiphelp.org or 1-877-839-2675.

Where these facts come from

Checked against these official pages in September 2026. Medicare rules change every year, so if something here looks out of date, call me and I’ll check it for you.

Medicare Compliance Notice

We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.

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No pressure. No quotas. I’ll listen, ask a few questions, and if I can help you I’ll tell you how. If I can’t, I’ll tell you that too.

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