Tennessee's Medicaid Initiative to Offer Complimentary Diapers for Infants and Toddlers Under 1 Year Old
On Friday, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services gave the go-ahead to Tennessee's Medicaid waiver called TennCare III, as stated in a press release from TennCare. According to this report, TennCare can now cover expenses for up to 100 diapers monthly for children aged two or under who are TennCare beneficiaries or in the Children's Health Insurance Program (known as CoverKids). This change will begin in August.
"These updates will alleviate financial difficulties for families and guarantee the well-being of TennCare's youngest users," the release notes.
Certain other state-run Medicaid programs offer diaper coverage for older children in cases where there are incontinence issues. TennCare already covers incontinence supplies, including diapers, for people suffering from conditions that affect their ability to manage their bladder or bowels, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Under TennCare's new program for infants and babies aged one, caregivers can get diapers directly through pharmacies that are part of TennCare's network. This strategy is intended to "avert unnecessary healthcare utilization and enhance overall infant wellness," says the federal agency.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently approved a similar program in Delaware that offers up to 80 diapers weekly and one pack of baby wipes to parents for the first 12 weeks postpartum.
A survey by the National Diaper Bank Network revealed that 47% of families faced diaper-related challenges in 2023, a substantial increase compared to about 33% in 2010.
Infants need an average of 12 diapers daily, which can cost between $80 and $100 or more monthly per child, according to the National Diaper Bank Network. For people receiving minimum wage, diapers would equate to 8% of their total income, reports the Department of Health and Human Services.
The National Diaper Bank Network, a lobbying group, recommends reducing the tax burden on diapers in several states (currently charged in 26 states). Several states have recently eliminated diaper sales taxes, providing some relief to families coping with increasing inflation and rising diaper costs.
Another viable solution is investing in diaper banks, which 10 states have implemented, and another four states previously had implemented, the network affirms. Furthermore, states such as California, New York, and Washington provide financial assistance to ease the burden of diaper costs on parents.
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The new Medicaid initiative in Tennessee directly benefits "us" as it provides up to 100 complimentary diapers monthly for eligible infants and toddlers under 1 year old. This change, starting in August, will help alleviate financial difficulties many families face due to diaper costs.
Source: edition.cnn.com
