Life & viatical settlements in Tennessee

How life settlements work in Tennessee

Tennessee regulates life settlement transactions under state insurance law, with licensing required for providers and brokers operating in the state.

The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance licenses life settlement providers and brokers and serves as the primary regulatory authority for Tennessee consumers with insurance-related questions. Tennessee law gives policy owners the right to rescind a life settlement contract within 30 days after the contract is executed.

For cancer patients in Tennessee, the most common path is a viatical settlement under IRS §101(g), where proceeds are generally tax-free at the federal level if the insured is certified as terminally or chronically ill. Tennessee generally follows federal income tax treatment for qualifying viatical settlements.

Medicaid impact in Tennessee

A life or viatical settlement can affect eligibility for Medicaid and other means-tested public assistance programs. Tennessee's Medicaid asset limit for individuals is currently $2,000 (2026). Because Medicaid rules vary by program and individual circumstances, Tennessee residents should review current eligibility requirements through the TennCare (Tennessee Medicaid) before accepting a settlement.

Depending on your situation, planning tools such as special needs trusts or pooled trusts may help preserve eligibility for certain public benefits. These arrangements generally should be established before settlement proceeds are received.

This is often the most important planning consideration for Tennessee cancer patients considering a life or viatical settlement. We can help connect you with a Tennessee elder law attorney if additional guidance is needed.

What’s different about Tennessee

• Tennessee regulates life settlements through licensing requirements for providers and brokers
• Owners have a statutory right to rescind a life settlement contract within 30 days of execution
• State oversight rests with the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance
• Medical and policy information remain protected under HIPAA privacy requirements
• Federal tax-free treatment may apply to qualifying viatical settlements under IRS §101(g)
• Medicaid eligibility may be affected by settlement proceeds depending on the recipient's circumstances

Major Tennessee cities we serve

Statewide. Our licensed specialists work with policies throughout Tennessee, including Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Clarksville, and Murfreesboro, and surrounding communities. No in-person meetings are required. Documentation, signatures, and notarization can all be completed remotely.