Medicaid in Mississippi
Mississippi has not expanded Medicaid. The state's Medicaid program has some of the most restrictive eligibility in the country. Parents qualify only if their income is below about 27% FPL (roughly $7,400 per year for a family of three). Childless adults do not qualify at any income level. Children are covered through Medicaid and CHIP at higher income levels, and pregnant women qualify up to 194% FPL.
The coverage gap in Mississippi is particularly severe. An estimated 80,000 to 100,000 residents earn above Mississippi's extremely low Medicaid threshold but below 100% FPL ($15,960 for a single person), where marketplace subsidies begin. These individuals have no pathway to affordable health insurance. Many work in low-wage service, retail, and agricultural jobs.
Mississippi's uninsured rate is approximately 11 to 12%, one of the highest in the nation. Roughly 330,000 Mississippians lack health insurance. The uninsured rate is highest in the Mississippi Delta region, where poverty rates exceed 30% in some counties.
What plans cost in 2027
Mississippi premiums jumped for 2027, and they are a heavy burden relative to incomes in one of the poorest states in the country. Here is the benchmark (second-lowest cost Silver) premium for a 40-year-old before subsidies, from HealthCare.gov plan data:
- Hinds County (Jackson): about $869 per month, up from $638 in 2026
- Harrison County (Gulfport, Biloxi): about $781, up from $657
- DeSoto County (Memphis suburbs): about $795, up from $602
- Lee County (Tupelo): about $829, up from $653
- Washington County (Greenville, in the Delta): about $799, up from $684
If you qualify for a premium tax credit, a higher benchmark usually means a bigger credit, which cushions much of the increase. People who pay full price feel all of it.
About 313,000 Mississippians picked a marketplace plan during 2026 open enrollment, according to CMS, and a large majority relied on premium tax credits. The enhanced subsidies expired after 2025 and were not renewed. For 2027, people above 400% FPL ($63,840 for an individual, $132,000 for a family of four) get no premium tax credit, and people below that line pay a larger share of their income than in 2025.
Because Mississippi did not expand Medicaid, the state also does not benefit from the larger risk pool that expansion creates. This contributes to a less stable individual market.
Carriers in Mississippi (2027)
Three insurers offer individual marketplace plans in Mississippi for 2027, down from five in 2026. Cigna and Molina left the Mississippi marketplace at the end of 2026, so their enrollees need to pick a new plan. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Mississippi does not sell plans on the marketplace.
- Ambetter Health (from Magnolia Health, a Centene subsidiary) is the only insurer offering plans in every county for 2027. Networks are narrower than a typical employer plan, so check that your doctors and nearest hospital are included.
- UnitedHealthcaresells plans in 69 of the state's 82 counties for 2027, including Jackson, the Gulf Coast, the Delta, and north Mississippi.
- Oscar Health sells plans in 33 counties for 2027, including Hinds, Harrison, and DeSoto counties.
The Jackson metro, Gulf Coast, and DeSoto County have all three insurers. Much of the rest of the state has two (Ambetter and UnitedHealthcare), and some counties have only Ambetter.
Key regions
Jackson metro
Hinds County and the surrounding area have the best healthcare infrastructure in the state. The University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) is the state's only academic medical center and Level I trauma center. UMMC is the referral destination for complex care from across Mississippi. Baptist Memorial Hospital, St. Dominic Hospital, and Merit Health Central are other major Jackson facilities. All three marketplace insurers sell plans in Hinds County for 2027.
Gulf Coast (Biloxi, Gulfport, Pascagoula)
Harrison and Jackson counties on the Gulf Coast have a reasonable healthcare infrastructure. Memorial Hospital at Gulfport, Singing River Health System, and Merit Health Biloxi serve the region. Harrison County has all three marketplace insurers for 2027. Military families at Keesler Air Force Base often have TRICARE, but dependents transitioning off military coverage may need marketplace plans.
Mississippi Delta
The Delta region has some of the most severe healthcare access challenges in the entire country. Poverty rates are extremely high, and several Delta hospitals have closed. Greenville, Cleveland, and Clarksdale are the larger towns, but specialty care often requires travel to Jackson (one to two hours). The Delta Health Center in Mound Bayou and other community health centers are critical providers for the uninsured and underinsured population. Washington County (Greenville) has two insurers for 2027, Ambetter and UnitedHealthcare.
North Mississippi (Tupelo, Oxford)
North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo is one of the largest rural hospitals in the country and the healthcare hub for northeast Mississippi. Baptist Memorial Hospital in Oxford provides additional capacity. The University of Mississippi in Oxford brings a younger population, some of whom use marketplace coverage. Lee County (Tupelo) has two insurers for 2027, Ambetter and UnitedHealthcare.
Estimate your subsidy
Subsidy Estimator
Enter your info below to get a rough estimate of your monthly premium tax credit for a 2027 marketplace plan.
Mississippi-specific things to know
The coverage gap affects Mississippi more than almost any other state. With extremely low Medicaid eligibility thresholds and no expansion, the gap between Medicaid and marketplace subsidies is wider in Mississippi than in most other non-expansion states. If you fall in this gap, community health centers are the primary source of affordable care. Mississippi has a network of Federally Qualified Health Centers that serve patients on a sliding fee scale regardless of insurance status.
Rural hospital closures are an ongoing crisis. Mississippi has lost multiple rural hospitals in recent years, and several more are at risk. When a hospital closes, the nearest emergency room may be 45 minutes to an hour away. If you live in a rural area, factor hospital proximity into your plan choice and make sure you understand where the nearest in-network emergency facility is.
Free enrollment help is available. Mississippi has certified marketplace navigators and community organizations that provide free enrollment assistance. The Mississippi Insurance Department also handles consumer complaints and questions about health insurance.
Resources
- HealthCare.gov for marketplace enrollment (Mississippi uses the federal marketplace)
- Mississippi Division of Medicaid for Medicaid eligibility and enrollment
- Mississippi Insurance Department for consumer assistance and insurance information