If you or your family member is on TennCare in Tennessee and needs a wheelchair ramp, grab bars, or other accessibility work, CHOICES in Long-Term Services and Supports can help pay for it. TennCare is run by the Division of TennCare. CHOICES is the managed-care program that covers home and community services for older adults and adults with physical disabilities who would otherwise need nursing home care.
What Tennessee offers#
CHOICES in Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) is TennCare's program for adults age 65 and older, and adults 21 and older with a physical disability. Group 1 covers nursing home care. Groups 2 and 3 cover services that let someone stay in their own home, including Minor Home Modification.
TennCare describes Minor Home Modification as changes to a home that help a person get around more easily and safely, such as grab bars or a wheelchair ramp. Two related benefits sit alongside it. Assistive Technology can pay up to $900 per calendar year for smaller devices. Enabling Technology can pay up to $5,000 per calendar year for other supportive equipment. Keeping smaller items on the Assistive Technology benefit can help stretch the modification dollars further.
Amounts and eligibility#
Tennessee publishes one of the clearest cap structures of any state Medicaid program. Minor Home Modification is capped at $6,000 per project, $10,000 per calendar year, and $20,000 over a person's lifetime. Verified against the CHOICES Member Benefit Table, checked July 2026.
That triple structure matters for planning. A larger accessibility project, such as a full bathroom conversion, may need to be split across more than one calendar year to stay within the per-project and annual limits while still working toward the lifetime ceiling. Minor Home Modification spending does not count against the broader CHOICES Group 3 overall service limit, which leaves more room for other supports in the same care plan.
Financial and clinical eligibility for CHOICES follows Medicaid long-term services and supports rules, and TennCare determines who meets them. Applicants must be 65 or older, or 21 or older with a physical disability, and must need the program's level of care. TennCare's public benefit table does not list a specific income dollar figure, so ask your TennCare health plan or your Area Agency on Aging and Disability about your own situation rather than relying on a number from another source. Nationally, many state Medicaid waivers apply a special income rule tied to 300% of the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) federal benefit rate, but Tennessee's own materials reference this only in general terms. Only TennCare decides who is eligible; nothing here guarantees approval.
How to apply in Tennessee#
If you are already enrolled in TennCare, start by calling your TennCare health plan. This is the managed care organization (MCO) that manages your benefits, and the number is printed on your TennCare card. Your MCO authorizes and arranges Minor Home Modification work as part of your overall care plan.
If you are not yet on TennCare, call your local Area Agency on Aging and Disability (AAAD) at 1-866-836-6678. This call is free. The AAAD can walk you through the CHOICES application and connect you with an assessment.
TennCare does not publish a consumer waitlist for CHOICES. Enrollment depends on an assessment through your MCO or your local AAAD, and timelines vary by individual circumstances. Avoid any source that quotes a specific wait time, since TennCare does not publish one.
For general help finding services, the AAAD network is Tennessee's front door for aging and disability supports. The federal Eldercare Locator (eldercare.acl.gov, 1-800-677-1116) is a fallback if you need help reaching the right local office.
How it stacks with federal programs#
If the person needing modifications is a veteran, check VA housing grants alongside TennCare. Programs such as Specially Adapted Housing can fund larger projects and may work alongside CHOICES benefits. See our VA home modification grants guide.
Original Medicare does not cover structural home modifications. Some Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans offer supplemental benefits like grab bars or ramps, but this is entirely plan-specific with no standard amount. Call your plan directly to ask what it covers.
Finding a provider who knows this program: Not every contractor has handled CHOICES paperwork or MCO authorization. Adapta Home USA verifies providers' Medicaid Waiver Billing experience, so you can filter for pros who have done this before. Find Home Modifications & Remodeling providers with Medicaid Waiver Billing experience →
For the bigger picture on combining programs, see our national Medicaid waiver guide and our full guide to paying for home modifications.
FAQ#
Does TennCare pay for home modifications like grab bars or wheelchair ramps?#
Yes. CHOICES Groups 2 and 3 cover Minor Home Modification, which includes changes like grab bars or a wheelchair ramp that help a person move around the home more safely.
How much will TennCare CHOICES pay toward home modifications?#
The published caps are $6,000 per project, $10,000 per calendar year, and $20,000 over a lifetime. Smaller devices may instead fit under the separate Assistive Technology benefit, which covers up to $900 per calendar year.
Who qualifies for CHOICES home and community services?#
Adults 65 and older, or adults 21 and older with a physical disability, who need a nursing-facility level of care but want to stay home. TennCare determines financial and clinical eligibility on a case-by-case basis.
How do I apply for CHOICES if I am not on TennCare yet?#
Call your local Area Agency on Aging and Disability at 1-866-836-6678. The call is free, and staff can help you start the CHOICES application and assessment process. If you already have TennCare, call your health plan directly instead.
Find a verified provider near you#
Adapta Home USA's directory lets you search Home Modifications & Remodeling providers by state and filter for Medicaid Waiver Billing experience. Our wheelchair ramp cost guide and accessible bathroom remodel cost guide can help you budget while your assessment is scheduled.
This article is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Consult a qualified professional about your specific situation.
Program amounts, eligibility rules, and application procedures change. Figures on this page were verified against official government sources on the date shown, but you should confirm current details at VA.gov or with the administering agency before making decisions. Adapta Home USA is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or any government agency.