Medicare in Mississippi
Key Takeaways
If you’re 65 or older, Medicare in Mississippi offers an affordable option for your healthcare needs.
Original Medicare offers hospital (Part A) and medical insurance (Part B), with the option of adding drug and supplemental coverage.
Medicare Advantage plans replace Original Medicare and include the benefits of Parts A and B while bundling drug and supplemental coverage and services like dental and vision.
While B.B. King is known for singing the blues, Elvis Presley isn’t always associated with his slew of soulful songs. Elvis also isn’t as readily recognized as a Mississippi native, but both he and King were born in the birthplace of blues.
Don’t let the complexities of Medicare in Mississippi leave you singing the blues. GoHealth has the cure.
Find a local Medicare plan that fits your needs
How do I apply for Medicare in Mississippi?
Your choices for applying for Medicare in Mississippi include:
- Enrolling online with the Social Security Administration.
- Visiting a local Social Security office.
- Enrolling over the phone at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778).
If you are a U.S. citizen age 65 or older, you qualify for Medicare in MS. It’s as simple as that. Of course, not everything about Medicare is that simple.
Medicare is a federal program that provides affordable healthcare for older Americans nearing retirement. At age 65, you can enroll in Part A (known as “hospital insurance”), Part B (“medical insurance”) or both — collectively known as Original Medicare. If you enroll in both, you have the option to add Part D to help with drug costs and Medigap (supplemental insurance) to help cover some out-of-pocket expenses.
Part D and Medigap plans are managed by private insurance companies with guidance from the federal government. That’s also the case with Medicare Advantage options in Mississippi.
If you are enrolled in both Parts A and B, you have the option of switching to a Medicare Advantage plan that replaces Original Medicare and includes the benefits of Parts A and B while bundling drug and supplemental coverage and offering additional coverages like dental and vision.
Is Medicare Free for Seniors Over 65?
Part A provides hospital coverage without a monthly premium, but because of the plan’s deductibles and coinsurance, it can’t be called “free.”
If you’re in need of low-cost insurance because of your financial situation, some people on Medicare in MS qualify for a Medicare Savings Program, which is a federal program administered by individual states (Mississippi calls it “Medicare cost-sharing”).
Some Mississippi residents facing more severe needs may qualify for Medicaid.
Are you eligible for cost-saving Medicare subsidies?
What Qualifies You for Medicaid in Mississippi?
You can get similar coverage to Medicare at any age if you qualify for Medicaid, a federal/state program founded alongside Medicare in 1965 that helps those facing a financial need or a disability — regardless of age. When you turn 65, it is possible to be eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid (called dual eligibility).
Each state has its own plan for administering Medicaid. The Mississippi Division of Medicaid oversees the state’s program. To qualify for Medicaid in Mississippi, you’ll need to meet certain income requirements. Contact your state Medicaid office to see if you’re eligible to enroll.
What are the Different Medicare Plans Available?
When it comes to Medicare plans in Mississippi, there’s only one Original Medicare plan, which includes Parts A and B and features the option to add Part D and Medigap coverage from private insurance companies.
When it comes to Medicare Advantage in Mississippi, numerous plans are available.
- Some Medicare Advantage plans mirror Original Medicare but are more affordable.
- Some Medicare Advantage plans include options for dental, vision and hearing coverage.
- Some Medicare Advantage plans offer assistance with transportation costs or over-the-counter needs.
- Some offer all of the above.
What extra benefits and savings do you qualify for?
What are 4 Types of Medicare Advantage Plans?
In 2022, while the standard monthly premium for Part A of Original Medicare is $0, Part B’s standard monthly premium is $170.10. For a Medicare Advantage plan, the average monthly premium in 2022 is $21.41.
Saving with Medicare Advantage in Mississippi is possible because beneficiaries get favorable rates when they visit providers within a regional network. Those networks are set up within four types of Medicare Advantage plans.
- Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plans provide a network of doctors and providers you can see, and a primary care physician manages your care.
- Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plans use primary care physicians but allow flexibility to see doctors outside your network.
- Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans provide separate payments to your providers for each service you receive.
- Special Needs Plans (SNP) are condition-specific plans designed to care for certain diseases or health issues. D-SNP assists dual eligible individuals, and C-SNP is for people with chronic diseases.
Which Company has the Best Medicare Advantage Plan?
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has a Medicare Star Rating system that assigns a rating of one to five stars (five being the highest-rated) to individual Medicare Advantage plans.
If you’re already on a Medicare Advantage plan and it’s not five-star, you are offered the opportunity to switch to a five-star plan each year.
While the rating system can shed light on various Medicare Advantage plans’ performance, it’s not as easy as just picking the highest-rated plan. A dedicated GoHealth licensed insurance agent can review your situation and figure out what Medicare Advantage plan is the right fit for you.
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Medicare in Mississippi by the Numbers
Thousands of older adults enroll in Medicare every day across the United States. The latest CMS data shows that 593,627 people are enrolled in Medicare Part A and B in Mississippi. The total number of beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Advantage Increased from 134,910 to 159,308 year over year. Medicare Advantage participation in Mississippi went from 23.10% to 26.84% year over year. If you’d like to dive deeper into how Medicare in Mississippi breaks down across the state, we provide a glance at who is using Medicare and how.
Medicare
Mississippi
593,627 Beneficiaries with Part A & Part B
159,308 Medicare Advantage Beneficiaries
26.84% Meducare Advantage Participation Rate
55.45% Female
44.55% Male
71.86% Non-Hispanic White
25.80% African American
0.66% Hispanic
1.68% Other/Unknown
25.14% Eligible for Medicaid
1.05 Average HCC Score
$10,974.28 Actual Per Capita Costs
18.74% Hospital Readmission Rate
29.76% of Beneficiaries with an Emergency Department Visit
134,910 Medicare Advantage Beneficiaries, Previous Year
Increased Medicare Advantage, Year over year
23.10% Meducare Advantage Participation Rate, Previous Year
See more +
Table reflects the latest Beneficiary Demographics Data: Medicare Geographic Variation – by National, State & County
Average HCC Score: The Hierarchical Condition Category score gauges a population’s overall health. The score is based on a value of 1.0. Populations with an HCC score of less than 1.0 are considered relatively healthy. The score can be used to estimate health costs.
Mississippi Medicare Resources & Contacts
Beneficiaries spend an average of $10,974.28 each year on Medicare in Mississippi. To be certain you are not leaving anything on the table, let us help. A GoHealth licensed insurance agent can assess your coverage or explain which Mississippi-based resources, like these, may be able to help:
Nationwide Resources
Medicare Learning Guides
Healthcare is personal. So is choosing insurance. If you are new to Medicare, a beneficiary researching options, or a caregiver, we have tailored Medicare Guides for you.
Medicare guide
Before 65 Guide
Understanding health insurance before age 65, especially when considering early retirement
Medicare guide
Medicare Plans Guide
Costs, coverage and enrollment details for each Medicare plan
Medicare guide
Medicare Beneficiary Guide
For those currently enrolled in Medicare
Medicare guide
Low Income and Medicare Guide
For individuals with a qualifying income status
Medicare guide
A Caregiver’s Guide
For individuals with a qualifying income status
