Tenn. Code § 52-2-907
The state has a continuing claim against a person supported by a program operated by the department and the estate of the person supported 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 person supported dies, or a responsible relative of the person supported dies, and the commissioner presents a claim for a sum unpaid and owing to the state on account of the person supported, then the claim must be paid from the estate of the deceased person. For purposes of this section, "person supported" does not include persons receiving services under the public guardianship program for the elderly authorized by § 34-7-103.
T.C.A. § 52-2-907