If you've been receiving TennCare or any other affordable health insurance benefits in Tennessee, but have found yourself no longer eligible, you must search elsewhere for affordable health insurance in Tennessee. There are critical deadlines that must be met before obtaining affordable health insurance goes from being somewhat annoying to nearly impossible.

Planning to enroll in a group health insurance plan? You must do so within 30 days of losing your previous health insurance in Tennessee. You may be enrolling in the group health insurance plan offered by your employer, or one offered by your spouse's employer. Either way, make sure you enroll before the 30 days is up or you might find it difficult to get affordable health insurance.

Planning to purchase an individual health insurance plan? If you've been insured for the past 18 months but have lost coverage and now wish to purchase an individual health insurance plan, you have a bit more time to get the ball rolling than you would have with a group health insurance plan. You must purchase an individual health insurance plan within 63 days after losing your previous health insurance coverage.

Prepare yourself for a waiting period. If you have a pre-existing health condition, you could be subject to a ?waiting period? before your new health insurance plan actually takes effect. However, if you've had 18 months of constant health insurance and haven't not exceeded the allotted amount of time in between coverage, a waiting period might not apply to you.

Losing health insurance can be depressing. One day you're ready to conquer the world because, after all, if you fall down you know you can pay for a doctor to fix you! The next day, you're afraid to leave your home. Do not let the loss of affordable health insurance in Tennessee intimidate you. Get out there and find yourself another affordable health insurance plan before your deadlines are up!