Tennessee’s state Medicaid program will begin providing free diapers—the first benefit of its kind in the U.S.—later this year. Nearly one year after Tennessee submitted a proposal for the new TennCare benefit, the federal Centers of Medicare and Medicaid approved the benefit. Infants and todders covered by the TennCare or CoverKids programs will have access to as many as 100 diapers per month—about half of the estimated monthly need—for the first two years of life. The program will be funded by the state’s new Medicaire block funding program. Lawmakers also approved $30 million in funding for the program during the 2023 legislative session.

With federal approval, TennCare can begin finalizing key details of the plan, which is expected to make diapers available through existing TennCare pharmacies in August.  A variety of diaper brands will be covered by the benefit to allow parents to choose the best fit for their child.


Unlike food, diapers are not targeted by any kind of federal assistance program. According to statistics, about one-third of families in middle Tennesse struggle to buy diapers.