Wellmont will sign up with CoverTN.

Byline: Jennifer Wig

Feb. 27--Wellmont Health System officials agreed Monday to sign up for CoverTN, a new state health care program intended to provide insurance for those who could not otherwise afford it. Neither Wellmont nor Mountain States Health Alliance signed up for the program before the Feb. 15 deadline, leaving CoverTN enrollees with no hospital options in Northeast Tennessee. Jack Lipomi, chief operating officer for Highlands Wellmont Health Network, said the program and its effectiveness will be constantly evaluated. "Although there's much to be learned about this project, we are in as partners with Governor Bredesen, the state and the …