Mississippi Medicare Guide

Get personalized Medicare advice from an advisor who cares! Schedule a free consultation with one of our licensed Mississippi Medicare Advisors or give us a call at (888) 604-0055.

This Mississippi Medicare guide explains everything you need to know about enrolling in Medicare, choosing additional Medicare insurance, maximizing the value you get from Medicare, and getting financial assistance.

Use this table of contents to jump to specific sections:

A Snapshot of Medicare in Mississippi

There are 615,000 Mississippi Medicare beneficiaries, making up 21% of the state’s total population. Most Mississippi residents age into Medicare when they turn 65, but about 19% are on Medicare due to disability. 27% of Medicare enrollees are dually eligible, meaning they also receive Medicaid benefits to help them pay for some or all of their healthcare costs.

Medicare beneficiaries have options and can either stay on Original Medicare or switch to a Medicare Advantage plan. In Mississippi, 70% choose to remain on Original Medicare and 30% enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan. We’ll explain more about the pros and cons of Medicare Advantage plans in later sections.

Mississippi Medicare Eligibility and Enrollment Steps

All US citizens have the same Medicare eligibility requirements. If you’re 65 or older, you’re eligible. You also may be eligible if you have certain disabilities, including ALS and End-Stage Kidney Disease.

Medicare Enrollment Steps

1. Enroll in Original Medicare (Part A & Part B)

When you first enroll in Medicare, you’ll get Part A and Part B. Most people age into Medicare and will either be automatically enrolled or sign up during their Initial Enrollment Period (IEP). Your IEP is a seven-month window unique to your birth month. It starts three months before the month you turn 65 and ends three months after.

In some cases, people who are still working choose to delay their Part B enrollment. We recommend that you compare your employer-linked coverage to Medicare, because your costs may be lower if you move to Medicare. You should also make sure you’re eligible for a Part B Special Enrollment Period, or you may be charged a late enrollment penalty.

2. Compare additional coverage options

Once you’ve signed up for Original Medicare, you can either stay on it or enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan. If you choose to stay on Original Medicare, you may choose to enroll in additional Medicare coverage, including a Medicare Supplement plan and a prescription drug plan. We’ll explain more about the pros and cons of both options later on!

3. Get the most value from Medicare

Three key things go into getting the most value from Medicare. First, be sure you choose the right coverage for your unique health and financial situation. Second, make sure to use your Medicare coverage, specifically for the preventive care services, including your annual Medicare Wellness visit.

Finally, be sure to review your coverage every year during the Open Enrollment Period, which occurs from October 15 - December 7. Plans can change and so can your health and financial situation. So, it’s a good idea to shop around when you can change your Medicare Advantage or Part D plan without consequence.

Mississippi Medicare Advantage Plans

There are 42 Medicare Advantage plans in Mississippi, but exact plan pricing and availability varies by county. For example, Hinds County has 32 Medicare Advantage plans from 8 different insurance carriers. DeSoto County has 25 plans from 6 insurance carriers.

As an alternative to Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage plans are required by law to provide at least the same coverage. They often also include additional coverage and benefits, which may include:

Prescription drug coverage
Dental, vision, and hearing care
Fitness benefits
Telehealth
Home safety devices and modifications

Because most plans provide prescription coverage, Medicare Advantage plans are a popular alternative for people who want their coverage bundled together. But many people are dissatisfied with Medicare Advantage plans because they come with:

Network restrictions
Frequent pre-authorization requirements for covered services
High out-of-pocket costs (compared to Original Medicare + Medicare Supplement)

Reach out to our licensed Mississippi Medicare Advisors to discuss specific Medicare Advantage plans (as well as your other options) that meet your healthcare needs.

Mississippi Medicare Supplement Plans

Original Medicare doesn’t cover about 20% of costs for covered services. As a result, many medicare beneficiaries on Original Medicare choose to add a Medicare Supplement (also called Medigap) plan to their coverage. There are ten Medigap plans in Mississippi, labeled by letters A-N.

Each policy of the same letter type (e.g., all Medigap Plan N policies) is identical, regardless of the price and insurance carrier. Each plan type has different coverage, but regardless of which type of Medigap plan you choose, your out-of-pocket costs will be reduced significantly. That said, Medigap Plan G is generally considered “the best” because it’s the most comprehensive. If you’re enrolled in a Plan G, once you meet your Part B deductible, you don’t owe anything else for the year for covered services!

It’s easiest to enroll in a Medigap plan during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, which lasts for six months after you get Part B. This is a guaranteed issue period that grants you guaranteed acceptance into any Medigap plan from any insurance company. Outside of this time and a handful of other guaranteed issue periods, insurance companies may ask you medical underwriting questions (questions about your health history) and may charge you more or deny your application.

How does Medigap compare to Medicare Advantage?

If you enroll in a Medigap plan, it will sit on top of your Original Medicare coverage rather than replace it. Compared to Medicare Advantage plans, Medigap, paired with Original Medicare, has some big benefits that improve your access to care:

You can see any doctor who accepts Medicare, which is most doctors nationwide
You won’t need to get prior authorization for covered services
Your out-of-pocket costs are much lower

Mississippi Part D Plans

Most Medicare Advantage plans provide prescription coverage. If you’re on Original Medicare, you should get a standalone Part D (prescription drug) plan. There are 22 stand-alone drug plans in Mississippi. Like with Medicare Advantage, specific plan pricing and availability depends on which county you live in.

Even if you don't have any prescriptions when you first enroll in Medicare, we recommend enrolling in a low-cost Part D plan to avoid paying a Medicare penalty!

If you have questions about Medicare options or want to compare plan benefits and pricing, schedule a free consultation with one of our licensed Mississippi Medicare Advisors or give us a call at (888) 604-0055.

Get help paying for Medicare in Mississippi

Healthcare costs can be overwhelming for many Americans. These three government programs can help low-income Mississippi Medicare beneficiaries pay for health-related expenses.

Mississippi Medicaid for Medicare Beneficiaries

Medicaid is a joint federal and state government program that’s run by each individual state. Mississippi’s Medicaid program is run by the Mississippi Division of Medicaid. In addition to programs for those who are Aged, Blind, or Disabled (commonly called ABD Medicaid), Mississippi Medicaid offers Medicare Savings Programs.

Mississippi Medicare Savings Programs

Mississippi’s Medicare Savings Programs are also commonly called Medicare Cost Sharing or Premium Payment Programs. These programs are intended for Medicare beneficiaries who have limited income and need help paying for their Medicare expenses. These programs include the following.

The Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries (QMB) Program

The QMB Program pays for eligible beneficiaries’ Medicare premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance. QMB recipients will also receive a Medicaid card.

The Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) Program

The SLMB Program pays or eligible beneficiaries’ Part B premium. SLMB recipients are not eligible for additional Medicaid benefits.

The Qualifying Individual (QI) Program

The QI Program pays for eligible beneficiaries’ Part B premium. QI recipients are not eligible for additional Medicaid benefits.

You can apply for these programs online at medicaid.ms.gov. If you need assistance determining if you’re eligible, applying, or accessing your benefits, reach out to our Mississippi Medicare advisors at (888) 604-0055.

Medicare Extra Help

Extra Help is a federal program that helps pay for costs associated with prescription drug coverage, including premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance. It’s also commonly called the Part D Low-Income Subsidy (LIS).

You automatically qualify for Extra Help if you:

Receive full Medicaid coverage from Mississippi
Mississippi pays your Part B premium
Are eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

If you don’t automatically qualify for Extra Help, you can learn more about the program here or talk to one of our licensed Mississippi Medicare Advisors to get free support with your application.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Benefits

Eligible US citizens receive monthly payments from the SSI program. You’re considered eligible if you meet the following criteria:

You are 65 and older, blind, or have a disability
You have limited income and limited resources

You can apply for SSI Benefits online or by calling 1-800-772-1213 / TTY 1-800-325-0778.

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