Medicaid FAQ Sheets

Table of Contents 

• What Is Medicaid?
• What Healthcare Does Medicaid Cover?
• How Much Does Medicaid Cost?
• How to Qualify for Medicaid in Mississippi
• How to Apply for Medicaid in Mississippi
• How to Make Changes to Your Application
• How to Check Your Application Status
• What Happens After You Apply for Medicaid?
• How to Appeal a Denial of Benefits
• What Happens to My Medicaid If I Move?
• Need More Help?
• View or Download Our Free Guide

What Is Medicaid?

Medicaid is a federal U.S. health insurance program that provides health coverage to millions of Americans. The program primarily covers low-income adults, children pregnant women, elderly adults and people with disabilities.

Federal guidelines for the Medicaid program are established by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Learn more about Medicaid at a national level on the CMS website here.

The Mississippi Medicaid program is administered by the Mississippi Department of Division of Medicaid. Learn more about Medicaid in Mississippi on the Department of Division of Medicaid website here.

What Healthcare Does Medicaid Cover?

Through Medicaid, people gain access to health care services that may not be affordable without it. Additionally, some programs and benefits include special protections—such as provider network and payment methods—that help ensure services are accessible. Medicaid also provides preventive care and other services help people stay healthy and avoid costlier care.

Medicaid covers medical and health care services such as:

• Doctors visits
• Vision and dental care
• Family planning services
• Preventive health education
• Hearing services
• Home healthcare
• Hospice and hospital care (inpatient and outpatient)
• Maternity services
• Mental healthcare
• Nurse midwife services
• Nursing home services
• Prescription drugs
• Renal dialysis
• Transplants
• Transportation services

*Additional services, such as nursing homes or personal care services, may be available to those who have special needs.

Medicaid does not cover the following types of medical services:

• Cosmetic procedures or surgeries
• Certain dental services like braces and gold caps
• Unnecessary hospital expenses, like TV rentals or meals for guests
• Infertility services or treatments
• Recreational therapy
• Experimental treatments, supplies, equipment or drugs
• Sitter services
• Any services not covered under the State Plan for Medical Assistance

Learn more about medical and health care services that are covered by Medicaid in Mississippi on the Department of Division of Medicaid page here.

How Much Does Medicaid Cost?

Medicaid recipients in Mississippi may need to pay a monthly premium, which is a monthly fee for enrollment in the program. Premiums range from $0 to $15. Premium amounts are based on the recipient’s annual income.

Recipients may sometimes need to pay a small out-of-pocket cost for treatments, which are known as copayments. Copayment amounts depend on the recipient’s age, household income and what the state pays for the specific service. There is a limit to the amount you can pay in copayments each month.

Services that require copayments include the following:

• Accessing emergency transportation services or the hospital’s emergency department for non-emergency medical conditions
• Chiropractic services
• Occupational therapy
• Optometric services
• Outpatient hospital services
• Physical therapy
• Podiatry services
• Speech therapy
• *Physician office visits

*Copayments are required for physician, or doctor, office visits unless the visit is for a preventive wellness exam, immunizations, family planning, or for urgent care that is provided at an urgent care facility.

Each Medicaid participant through the Mississippi Department of Division of Medicaid has their own individual health care plan. Some participants may be required to pay fees, and some recipients may not be required to pay fees, i.e., are exempt.

Medicaid participants who fall into one of the below categories are exempt from copayment fees:

• Those younger than 19 years of age in households with incomes less than or equal to 133 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL)
• Those in households with incomes less than or equal to 100 percent of the FPL
• Those receiving pregnancy-related services
• Inpatients in a hospital, nursing facility, intermediate care facility for persons with intellectual disabilities (ICF/ID), or other medical institution
• Adult participants who receive services provided under a 1915(c) waiver
• Participants who have other healthcare coverage that is the primary payer for the services provided
• Participants receiving hospice care
• Children in foster care receiving aid or assistance under Title IV, Part B of the Social Security Act
• Participants receiving adoption or foster care assistance under Title IV, Part E of the Social Security Act, regardless of age
• Women eligible under the breast and cervical cancer eligibility group
• Native American and Alaskan Native participants

To learn more about Medicaid copayments, click here.

How to Qualify for Medicaid in Mississippi

To qualify for Medicaid in Mississippi, you must:

• Be a resident of Mississippi
• Be a U.S. citizen or have a qualifying immigration status
• Meet the Medicaid program’s income limits

Income limits vary depending on household size, medical status and other factors and are subject to change annually. Find the current Medicaid income limits based on household size in Mississippi here.

Learn what documents you can submit to prove your citizenship and identity here.

Find further information on Mississippi Medicaid eligibility here.

How to Apply for Medicaid in Mississippi

To apply for Medicaid in Mississippi, complete the following three steps:

1. Review the application requirements and gather documentation related to your health, medical condition and household. 

Learn what documents you need here.

2. Choose how you are going to apply, whether in person, by mail, by phone or by fax.

To apply for Medicaid in person, click here to find your nearest Regional office.

To apply for Medicaid by mail, click here to access the application form, fill it out, and mail it with the necessary documents to:

Division of Medicaid
5550 High Street, Suite 100
Jackson, MS 39201

To apply for Medicaid by phone, call the Mississippi Department of Division of Medicaid’s toll-free number at (800) 421-2408.

To apply for Medicaid by fax, click here to access the application form, fill it out, and fax it with the necessary documents to (601) 576-4164.

You can also apply by mail, phone or fax by contacting your local Regional office. Find office contact information here.

3. Submit your application and complete the Medicaid interview. 

If you apply in person, you will complete an interview at the time of your application submission to verify your eligibility for the program.

If you apply by mail, by phone or by fax, you will complete the interview over the phone.

If you have questions about the application process or require assistance, call the Mississippi Department of Division of Medicaid’s toll-free customer service number at (800) 421-2408. 

Or, contact your nearest local Mississippi Regional office. Find contact information for local field offices in Mississippi here or refer to the list below.