How to Become a Medicaid Waiver Provider in Tennessee

Tennessee runs credentialing through quarterly forums, and that calendar is the first thing to check. Provider Credentialing Forums are held quarterly with two virtual sessions in the same month, and you pick the date that suits you. Around that, the process is document-heavy and process-picky in ways that cost applicants real time: each uploaded document must be individually labeled with its name and prefixed with your organization's initials, and the email subject line should carry your organization's name and the region — West, Middle, East, or Statewide. Those are not cosmetic requests; the department says mislabeled submissions delay credentialing. The paperwork itself is predictable — state and county business licenses, disclosure forms, tax documentation, a national criminal background check, a residential or non-residential self-assessment, and your policies. Expect confirmation within two business days, and do not chase status for 30 calendar days.

Attend a quarterly credentialing forum, assemble the labeled application packet with licenses, disclosures, tax documents, background check, self-assessment and policies, and submit by email — then wait out the 30-day status window.

Application system: Become a Credentialed Provider — Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging

1. Get to a Provider Credentialing Forum

   Forums run quarterly, with two virtual sessions in the same month so applicants can choose a date. Check the current schedule before planning around it.

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2. Assemble the document set

   State and county business licenses, disclosure forms specific to the person or entity, tax documentation including a W-9 and IRS 147c or substitute W-9, a national criminal background check, the applicable self-assessment, and required policy documentation.

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3. Label everything by organization initials

   Each document is individually named and prefixed with your organization's initials, and the email subject carries your name and region.

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4. Submit and wait for the two-business-day confirmation

   The department emails confirmation of receipt within two business days.

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5. Hold status inquiries for 30 calendar days

   The department asks applicants to allow 30 calendar days before requesting the status of an application.

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Tennessee delivers ECF CHOICES and CHOICES through TennCare's managed care organizations, which is why credentialing by the state department is only the first half of the picture — the MCOs also contract with providers for their networks. Ask which MCOs operate in your region and what each requires beyond state credentialing before you commit to a start date.

Tennessee does not publish these in a form we could verify, so we have not guessed at them. Ask directly — and if an answer here would help other providers, tell us and we will add it with its source.

• What are the dates of the next Provider Credentialing Forum, and is registration required?

  Ask: DDA Provider Enrollment Coordinator, 615-532-6530

• Which services is the department currently credentialing new providers for, and in which regions?

  Ask: DDA Provider Enrollment Coordinator, 615-532-6530

• Which MCOs operate in your region, and what does each require to add you to its network after credentialing?

  Ask: Each TennCare managed care organization's provider relations department

• What staff training and background screening does the credentialing protocol require for your service type?

  Ask: DDA Provider Enrollment Coordinator, 615-532-6530