Medicare in Mississippi
Key Takeaways
- If you’re 65 or older, Medicare in Mississippi offers an affordable option for your healthcare needs.
- Original MedicareOriginal Medicare is a fee-for-service health insurance program available to Americans aged 65 and older and some individuals with disabilities. Original Medicare is provided by the federal government and is made up of two parts: Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance). offers hospital (Part A) and medical insurance (Part B), with the option of adding drug and supplemental coverage.
- Medicare AdvantageMedicare Advantage (Medicare Part C) is health insurance for Americans aged 65 and older that blends Medicare benefits with private health insurance. This typically includes a bundle of Original Medicare (Parts A and B) and Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D). plans substitute for Original Medicare while bundling prescription drug coverage and supplemental services like dental and vision.
Don’t let the complexities of Medicare in Mississippi leave you singing the blues. GoHealth has the guidance to help you find the coverage you need.
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)
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 substitutes for Original Medicare while bundling prescription drug coverage and offering supplemental services like dental and vision.
Have questions about your Medicare coverage?
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.
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. 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.
Still have questions? GoHealth has the answers you need.
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 Types of Medicare Advantage Plans Are Available?
In 2025, the standard monthly premium for Part A of Original Medicare is $0, and Part B’s standard monthly premium is $185. For a Medicare Advantage plan in Mississippi, the average monthly premium in 2024 is $20.89.
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.
Can I bundle multiple benefits into one plan?
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.
593,627 Beneficiaries with Part A & Part B
159,308 Medicare Advantage Beneficiaries
26.84% Medicare 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% Medicare Advantage Participation Rate, Previous Year
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 SHIP - Medicare Counseling
https://www.mdhs.ms.gov/aging/finding-services-for-older-adults/
What should I know about SHIP?
The State Health Insurance Assistance Program offers free, unbiased Medicare advice to Mississippi residents.
Mississippi Insurance Department
https://www.mid.ms.gov/healthcare/health-care.aspx
What should I know about the Mississippi Insurance Department?
This department also offers free Medicare counseling and protects residents against healthcare fraud.
Division Aging and Adult Services (DAAS)
https://www.mdhs.ms.gov/services/adult/
What should I know about DAAS?
This division of the Mississippi Department of Human Services oversees a multitude of programs that benefit seniors in the state.
Mississippi Division of Medicaid
https://medicaid.ms.gov/
What should I know about the Mississippi Division of Medicaid?
This department administers the Medicaid program in the state.
Nationwide Resources
Speak with a GoHealth insurance agent that is licensed in Mississippi about your Medicare questions.
Mon – Fri, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. CT
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
You can reach the Social Security Administration by phone for general questions. Not all questions can be answered over the phone.
Also, SSA.gov provides online resources for the following: Review information, apply for benefits, or manage your account online
1-800-722-1213
TTY 1-800-325-0778
Speak to SSA Representative, Monday – Friday, 8 AM – 7 PM ET
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.
Before 65 Guide
Understanding health insurance before age 65, especially when considering early retirement
Medicare Plans Guide
Costs, coverage and enrollment details for each Medicare plan
Medicare Beneficiary Guide
For those currently enrolled in Medicare
Low Income and Medicare Guide
For individuals with a qualifying income status
A Caregiver's Guide
For individuals with a qualifying income status
Sources
- Apply for Benefits. SSA.gov.
- Social Security Office Locator. SSA.gov.
- Medicare Cost-Sharing. MS.gov.
- Poverty Guidelines. HHS.gov.
- Who Qualifies for Coverage? MS.gov.
- Special Needs Plans (SNP). Medicare.gov.
- FACT SHEET. CMS.gov.
This website is operated by GoHealth, LLC., a licensed health insurance company. The website and its contents are for informational and educational purposes; helping people understand Medicare in a simple way. The purpose of this website is the solicitation of insurance. Contact will be made by a licensed insurance agent/producer or insurance company. Medicare Supplement insurance plans are not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. Our mission is to help every American get better health insurance and save money.
Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.