Tenn. Code Ann. § 33-2-1107: Claims against recipients

The state has a continuing claim against the recipient of service from a program operated by the department and the recipient's estate and against responsible relatives for any unpaid difference between what the department determines the person owes and what was paid for the service provided. If the recipient of service dies, or a responsible relative of the recipient of service dies, and the commissioner presents a claim for a sum unpaid and owing to the state on account of the recipient of service, then the claim shall be paid from the estate of the deceased person.