Disability services in Tennessee

Members of the Arlington and Clover Bottom class, people leaving the Harold Jordan Center, and people moved from the Statewide Waiver for going over cost caps. Only people already enrolled get services.

Start with: Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging (DDA) · West 1-866-372-5709; Middle 1-800-654-4839; East 1-888-531-9876 · Website (opens in a new tab)

TennCare says this waiver has been closed to new enrollment since July 1, 2016, except for people who meet specific criteria. Most new applicants should use ECF CHOICES.

Apply for Medicaid first.

Steps

1. Know that this waiver is not taking new people.
2. To ask for services now, fill out the ECF CHOICES self-referral form.
3. Call your DDA Regional Intake Office if you need help.

Have these ready

• Proof of the disability
• TennCare ID if you have one

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People of all ages with an intellectual or developmental disability. ECF CHOICES is the only open program for new enrollment in DDA's IDD services.

Start with: DDA Regional Intake Offices (West, Middle, East), or your TennCare health plan · West 1-866-372-5709; Middle 1-800-654-4839; East 1-888-531-9876 · Website (opens in a new tab)

Funding is limited, so not everyone who applies can enroll right away; people in certain priority groups may be served first.

Provider list incomplete. The provider list for this program is incomplete. The three health plans that run ECF CHOICES do not publish full provider lists: BlueCare has none online, and Wellpoint and UnitedHealthcare publish partial directories. The Atlas shows providers from the directories we could read. For the full list, call your health plan: BlueCare 888-747-8955 (ask for the ECF CHOICES directory), UnitedHealthcare 800-690-1606, or Wellpoint 833-731-2153.

Medicaid and this program are applied for together.

Steps

1. Fill out the online ECF CHOICES self-referral form.
2. If you have TennCare, call your health plan (BlueCare 888-747-8955, UnitedHealthcare 800-690-1606, WellPoint 833-731-2153) for help.
3. If you do not have TennCare, call your DDA Regional Intake Office for help with the referral and the TennCare application.
4. Answer calls from DDA intake staff, who check in while you wait.
5. When enrolled, you get services through your TennCare health plan (managed care).

Have these ready

• Proof of the disability, such as a psychological evaluation
• Social Security number
• TennCare ID if you have one
• Name of your TennCare health plan

Apply or start here (opens in a new tab) · About this program (opens in a new tab) · Providers in the Atlas

Adults with intellectual disability who live on their own, with family, or with a caregiver who is not related. Only people already enrolled get services.

Start with: Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging (DDA) · West 1-866-372-5709; Middle 1-800-654-4839; East 1-888-531-9876 · Website (opens in a new tab)

This waiver is closed to new enrollment. New applicants are directed to Employment and Community First CHOICES.

Apply for Medicaid first.

Steps

1. Know that this waiver is not taking new people.
2. To ask for services now, fill out the ECF CHOICES self-referral form.
3. Call your DDA Regional Intake Office if you need help.

Have these ready

• Proof of the disability
• TennCare ID if you have one

Apply or start here (opens in a new tab) · About this program (opens in a new tab) · Providers in the Atlas

Adults with intellectual disability, including people moving out of an ICF/IID. Only people already enrolled get services.

Start with: Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging (DDA) · West 1-866-372-5709; Middle 1-800-654-4839; East 1-888-531-9876 · Website (opens in a new tab)

TennCare says this waiver has been closed to new enrollment since July 1, 2016, except for people who meet specific criteria. Most new applicants should use ECF CHOICES.

Apply for Medicaid first.

Steps

1. Know that this waiver is not taking new people.
2. To ask for services now, fill out the ECF CHOICES self-referral form.
3. Call your DDA Regional Intake Office if you need help.

Have these ready

• Proof of the disability
• TennCare ID if you have one

Apply or start here (opens in a new tab) · About this program (opens in a new tab) · Providers in the Atlas

Children under 18 with disabilities or complex medical needs who cannot get TennCare because of parent income or assets. Part A is for children with the highest level of need and gives full TennCare.

Start with: DDA Regional Intake Offices (West, Middle, East) · West 1-866-372-5709; Middle 1-800-654-4839; East 1-888-531-9876 · Website (opens in a new tab)

Part A has limited slots; 27 children were on the Part A waiting list on December 29, 2025. A child who qualifies for Part A while waiting may keep Medicaid through Part C.

Medicaid eligibility is decided as part of the waiver.

Steps

1. Create a TennCare Connect account and send the Katie Beckett self-referral online.
2. If you do not have a computer, call your DDA regional office.
3. Answer the call from a DDA case manager to set up an assessment.
4. Send medical records that clearly show your child's condition.
5. TennCare will do a financial review at the same time.

Have these ready

• Medical records showing the condition
• Proof of intellectual disability if that applies
• Child's Social Security number
• Health insurance information

Apply or start here (opens in a new tab) · About this program (opens in a new tab) · Providers in the Atlas

Children under 18 with disabilities or complex medical needs above Part A financial limits. Part B pays for set services and supports rather than full TennCare.

Start with: DDA Regional Intake Offices (West, Middle, East) · West 1-866-372-5709; Middle 1-800-654-4839; East 1-888-531-9876 · Website (opens in a new tab)

Part B has a set number of slots (4,700 as of October 2024); 898 children were on the Part B waiting list on December 29, 2025.

You do not need Medicaid first.

Steps

1. Create a TennCare Connect account and send the Katie Beckett self-referral online.
2. If you do not have a computer, call your DDA regional office.
3. Have an assessment with a DDA case manager.
4. Send medical records that show your child's condition.
5. If enrolled, work with your Katie Beckett case manager or Independent Support Coordinator on a support plan.

Have these ready

• Medical records showing the condition
• Child's Social Security number
• Health insurance information

Apply or start here (opens in a new tab) · About this program (opens in a new tab) · Providers in the Atlas