71-5-141 - Eligibility of aliens for medical assistance. - Tennessee Statutes

71-5-141. Eligibility of aliens for medical assistance.

(a)  Aliens shall be eligible for medical assistance, including participation in the TennCare program, only to the same extent as permitted under federal law and regulations for receipt of federal financial participation under Title XIX of the federal Social Security Act, except as otherwise provided in this section.

(b)  In accordance with Section 1903(v)(1) of the federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. § 1396b(v)(1)), an alien shall only be eligible for the full scope of medical assistance benefits, if the alien has been lawfully admitted for permanent residence, or is otherwise permanently residing in the United States under color of law.

(c)  For purposes of this section, aliens “permanently residing in the United States under color of law” shall be interpreted to include all aliens residing in the United States with the knowledge and permission of the United States immigration and naturalization service and whose departure the United States immigration and naturalization service does not contemplate enforcing and with respect to whom federal financial participation is available under Title XIX of the federal Social Security Act.

[Acts 2002, ch. 880, § 17.]