NASHVILLE, Tenn. – State Rep. John Gillespie, R-Memphis, is encouraging parents in Shelby County to take advantage of a new diaper program for children under two years old enrolled in TennCare, Tennessee’s Medicaid program.
Members of TennCare and CoverKids can now receive up to 100 free diapers per eligible child each month at participating pharmacies in Tennessee.
“TennCare’s new diaper program will be vitally important to struggling families in Shelby County and across the state,” Gillespie said. “This benefit will provide much-needed relief for parents while helping keep children healthy. I’m proud that Tennessee is the first state to implement this program and I look forward to finding additional ways to promote the health and well-being of all Tennesseans.”
Tennessee on Aug. 7 became the first state to offer Medicaid members free diapers for children under two. The new TennCare benefit was approved by the General Assembly last year as part of Gov. Bill Lee’s Strong Families Initiative.
Parents can obtain disposable diapers, including training diapers, from participating pharmacy counters across Tennessee by presenting their child’s OptumRx card. A list of pharmacies can be found here, with additional locations expected to be added.
Diapers can cost an average of nearly $1,000 a year, and in 2023, 47% of families reported being unable to afford an adequate supply for the required number of changes, according to the National Diaper Bank Network. Babies can experience painful rashes and urinary tract infections without proper diaper changes.
For more information, visit the TennCare Diaper Benefit website.
