Mississippi Medicaid: Income Limits, Eligibility and How to Apply
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Medicaid in Mississippi is run by the Mississippi Division of Medicaid. Mississippi is one of ten states that have not adopted the Affordable Care Act expansion, which is the single most important fact about Medicaid here: adults without dependent children generally cannot qualify, whatever they earn. Children are covered through Mississippi CHIP, and the application is at www.access.ms.gov or 800-421-2408. Every figure below is dated 2026-09-23.
| Program | Mississippi Medicaid |
|---|---|
| Children | Mississippi CHIP |
| Agency | Mississippi Division of Medicaid |
| Apply | www.access.ms.gov · 800-421-2408 |
| Expansion | No |
| Plans | Most members are enrolled in MississippiCAN managed care. |
Who qualifies in Mississippi
Without the expansion, Mississippi Medicaid covers the groups federal law has always required and the ones the state has chosen to add: children under 19 (through Mississippi Medicaid and Mississippi CHIP), pregnant women, parents and caretaker relatives at low incomes set by the state, people 65 and over, and people with disabilities, the last two with an asset test. There is no door for an adult without dependent children who is neither disabled nor 65, no matter how low the income.
That gap has a floor and a ceiling. Marketplace plans with premium tax credits begin at 100% of the poverty guideline, $15,960 a year for one person and $33,000 for four in 2026, and at that level the premium for a benchmark plan is close to zero. Below it, in Mississippi, an adult without children has neither Medicaid nor a subsidy. Health centers on a sliding fee and hospital financial assistance policies are the fallback; our emergency help page lists both.
| Household size | 100% of poverty, 2026 (marketplace subsidy floor) | 138% (what expansion would cover) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $15,960 | $22,025 |
| 2 | $21,640 | $29,863 |
| 3 | $27,320 | $37,702 |
| 4 | $33,000 | $45,540 |
| 5 | $38,680 | $53,378 |
How Mississippi compares
Mississippi is one of ten states without the expansion, with Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin, Wyoming. Because there is no expansion group, the 2027 work requirement and six-month renewals largely pass it by. Mississippi uses the plain "Medicaid" name, so the card and letters say what they are.
How to apply for Mississippi Medicaid
- Apply online at www.access.ms.gov, or call 800-421-2408. HealthCare.gov also takes Medicaid applications and forwards them to Mississippi. There is no enrollment period; any day works.
- Report this month's income. Choose a plan when asked, or one is assigned.
A Mississippi Medicaid case also qualifies you for a free phone (Mississippi carriers, paperwork) and shares documents with Mississippi SNAP.
What changes in Mississippi
With no expansion group, the work requirement and six-month renewals in the 2025 law do not reach Mississippi. The nationwide changes are on the hub with CMS sources.
Mississippi specifics
- Mississippi has not expanded; adults without dependent children generally cannot qualify.
- Offices serve Jackson, Gulfport, Southaven and every county; hospitals and health centers also employ enrollment assisters.
Whether Mississippi Medicaid pays for dental or weight-loss drugs is Mississippi's choice; see does Medicaid cover.
Common questions
What is the Medicaid income limit in Mississippi for 2026?
There is no single limit, because Mississippi has not adopted the expansion. Children qualify through Mississippi Medicaid and Mississippi CHIP at incomes well above poverty, pregnant women at higher incomes still, and parents only at very low incomes set by the state. Adults without dependent children who are not disabled or over 65 generally cannot qualify at any income. Above the state's limits, marketplace plans with premium tax credits start at 100% of poverty, $15,960 a year for one person.
Does Mississippi have a Medicaid work requirement?
No. The federal work requirement applies only to the expansion group, and Mississippi has none.
Sources
- Mississippi Medicaid: state program page
- HHS: 2026 poverty guidelines
- HealthCare.gov: Medicaid expansion and you (138%)
- Federal Register: community engagement interim final rule (June 3, 2026)
- CMS: 2025 law section-by-section overview
- KFF: status of state Medicaid expansion decisions (not an official source)
Gov-Grants.org is an independent guide, not a carrier and not a government agency. We never charge fees, and every fact above links to its source with the date we checked it. Program details change; confirm on the official site before applying.