States Tennessee

Opt-Out:

All newborns must participate in newborn screening unless a parent or guardian objects on religious grounds. Parents who decline must sign a written refusal statement.

Support for families:

Additionally, the Children Special Services (CSS) Program provides services to eligible children with special health care needs. CSS has two components; medical services and care coordination.

The first component provides for reimbursement of medical services, i.e., physician/clinic visits, hospitalizations, medical supplies, pharmaceuticals, durable medical equipment, and therapies for children from birth to age 21 years who meet medical and financial eligibility requirements.

The second component is care coordination. CSS coordinates primary and specialty care through the designated primary care physician and corresponding managed care organization networks. Care coordinators assist the family in accessing many services (educational, medical, social, transportation, support and advocacy).

For more information about your child’s eligibility for CSS, please contact Family Health and Wellness. The office is located in the Andrew Johnson Tower, 710 James Robertson Parkway, 8th Floor, Nashville, TN 37243.  You may also call the program at (615) 741-7353.

Storage and Use of Dried Blood Spots:

After your child’s blood has been screened for all newborn screening conditions, some blood will remain in the sample card. This is called a “residual dried blood spot”. In Tennessee, the residual dried blood spot will be retained by the state for 12 months if the sample was negative, while confirmed tests are held indefinitely.

To see a copy of the blood spot card used in Tennessee, click here.