Medicare Plans in Mississippi

How Do I Enroll in Medicare in Mississippi?

To enroll in Original Medicare, do one of the following:

  • Submit an online application.
  • Apply in person at a Social Security office.
  • Call 800-772-1213 to speak with a Social Security employee.

HelpAdvisor Editorial Team analysis of data from the 2024 MA Landscape Source Files and carrier-provided plan data supplied by SunFire, Inc., a private company that creates software solutions for agents and brokers to compare Medicare plans. For more information, visit www.sunfireinc.com.

What Mississippi Medicare Plans Are Available?

Individuals age 65 and older as well as those with qualifying disabilities have access to insurance through the federal government's Medicare program. Medicare is broken down into several different parts to assure coverage over a wide spectrum of medical service types. 

Part A

Also known as the original component of the Medicare program, this portion is funded by the federal government and provides coverage for inpatient services. Facilities generally covered under the Part A plan include hospitals, surgical centers, hospice and skilled nursing care and even some home health facilities. Premiums for Part A coverage are determined by amounts paid into the payroll tax system via traditional employment. 

Part B

Medicare Part B emphasizes coverage for preventative care. It covers annual physicals, in-office appointments, some diagnostic services and other elements of preventative healthcare. Premiums for this portion of Medicare are based on income.

Those who do not automatically qualify may purchase Parts A and B as standalone policies. Beneficiaries are responsible for copays with Part B coverage. 

Medicare Advantage

The Medicare Advantage program is a supplemental policy that replaces many of the coverage components in Parts A and B. However, only those who have enrolled in the original components of Medicare can purchase an Advantage plan. These plans are administered through private insurers and offer varying degrees of coverage options. 

There are four options for a Medicare Advantage program:

  • Health Maintenance Organization (HMO)
  • Preferred Provider Organization (PPO)
  • Private Fee-for-Service
  • Special Needs Plan

Advantage plans generally cover elements not addressed by Parts A and B, including dental and vision services. 

Part D/Prescription Drug Plan

The prescription drug benefit of Medicare helps cover the costs of necessary medications for beneficiaries. It is a supplement to the other components and may also be purchased as a standalone policy. 

Part D is an optional policy that beneficiaries can choose when signing up for Parts A and B. Enrollment after this time is allowable but may incur a penalty for doing so. 

Medigap

Medigap coverage helps with the out-of-pocket expenses not covered by the original Medicare components. This includes financial assistance with copays, deductibles or coinsurance policies. 

Medigap may also help with the cost of medical supplies and even some prescription medications. Similar to Medicare Advantage, Medigap programs are administered via private insurance companies, so there may be differences in premium costs and availability. 

Of the individuals receiving benefits through Medicare in Mississippi, 18% are enrolled due to disability versus age parameters. Roughly 38% of those receiving Medicare coverage in Mississippi have an Advantage plan. 

There are 65 insurance companies offering Medigap plans in the state. Roughly half of those receiving Medicare in Mississippi have a standalone Part D plan. 

Who Is Eligible for Mississippi Medicare?

Eligibility for Medicare in Mississippi is automatic for those already receiving Social Security benefits and begins four months before the beneficiary's 65th birthday. For those not automatically enrolled, beneficiaries can sign up in the three-month period prior to their 65th birthday, their birthday month and in the three months thereafter. 

Medicare also offers specific enrollment periods: 

  • Annual enrollment: Extends from January 1 through March 31 and benefits begin July 1. 
  • Fall enrollment: Extends from October 15 through December 7 and benefits begin January 1. This is the point at which beneficiaries can choose new Part D or Advantage coverage. 

Those who qualify but have not enrolled during one of these times may still do so without incurring a penalty if they just moved back into the country, no longer qualify for Medicaid or lost coverage from an employer-sponsored plan. Individuals who wish to enroll and don't have special circumstances may have to pay a fee to do so. 

How Do I Enroll in Medicare in Mississippi?

Enrollment in the Medicare program in Mississippi can be done in one of three ways: 

  • Via the Social Security Administration website
  • Apply via phone at (800) 772-1213
  • In person at a local Social Security Administration office (appointments are suggested)

HelpAdvisor Editorial Team analysis of data from the 2024 MA Landscape Source Files and carrier-provided plan data supplied by SunFire, Inc., a private company that creates software solutions for agents and brokers to compare Medicare plans. For more information, visit www.sunfireinc.com.

Average Cost of Medicare Advantage Plans in Mississippi

Average Cost of Medicare Advantage Plans in Mississippi
Average Monthly Premium $50.16
Average in-network out-of-pocket spending limit $6,829.33
Average drug deductible in 2024 (weighted) $402.79
Percentage of plans rated 4 stars or higher 71.5%
Average Cost of Medicare Advantage Plans in Mississippi
Average Monthly Premium
$50.16
Average in-network out-of-pocket spending limit
$6,829.33
Average drug deductible in 2021 (weighted)
$402.79
Percentage of plans rated 4 stars or higher
71.5%

Mississippi Medicare Advantage Plans by County

The chart below provides more information about Medicare Advantage plan costs and enrollment in Mississippi by county in 2024.

Scroll to the right to continue reading the chart
County Average Premium Average Annual Drug Deductible % of Plans Rates 4 Stars or Higher # of Plans Available
Stone $46 $388 72.1% 43
Greene $47 $407 70.0% 40
Bolivar $48 $407 63.6% 33
Monroe $54 $446 92.6% 27
Tate $48 $363 65.9% 41
Tunica $48 $363 65.9% 41
Wilkinson $60 $413 91.3% 23
Simpson $48 $407 65.7% 35
George $46 $393 71.4% 42
Warren $48 $407 63.6% 33
Hancock $45 $393 70.2% 47
Lafayette $47 $433 69.7% 33
Leake $51 $408 60.0% 30
Scott $51 $408 60.0% 30
Yalobusha $48 $407 63.6% 33
Lincoln $48 $407 62.5% 32
Pontotoc $60 $348 88.9% 18
Desoto $48 $350 66.7% 42
Marion $47 $407 70.0% 40
Walthall $47 $407 68.4% 38
Humphreys $48 $407 63.6% 33
Newton $51 $408 60.0% 30
Webster $60 $413 91.7% 24
Covington $49 $408 65.7% 35
Panola $47 $393 67.6% 37
Noxubee $60 $413 91.3% 23
Jefferson Davis $49 $408 63.6% 33
Perry $47 $407 70.0% 40
Benton $57 $348 92.3% 26
Pearl River $54 $373 93.9% 33
Chickasaw $57 $413 92.3% 26
Washington $48 $407 63.6% 33
Smith $51 $408 60.0% 30
Clay $60 $348 88.9% 18
Lauderdale $49 $428 58.6% 29
Claiborne $48 $407 63.6% 33
Franklin $60 $413 91.3% 23
Madison $47 $388 67.4% 43
Itawamba $60 $348 88.9% 18
Prentiss $57 $413 92.3% 26
Alcorn $60 $413 91.3% 23
Oktibbeha $60 $348 87.5% 16
Tishomingo $57 $413 92.3% 26
Jefferson $60 $413 91.3% 23
Clarke $51 $408 60.0% 30
Tippah $57 $413 92.3% 26
Montgomery $48 $407 62.5% 32
Winston $60 $413 91.3% 23
Union $57 $413 92.0% 25
Wayne $47 $407 70.0% 40
Jackson $44 $394 71.4% 49
Rankin $45 $405 68.9% 45
Tallahatchie $48 $407 62.5% 32
Yazoo $48 $407 63.6% 33
Copiah $48 $407 65.7% 35
Calhoun $57 $413 92.3% 26
Sharkey $48 $407 63.6% 33
Issaquena $48 $407 63.6% 33
Kemper $51 $408 57.1% 28
Forrest $46 $388 72.1% 43
Lee $53 $413 89.5% 19
Hinds $44 $405 70.8% 48
Carroll $48 $407 62.5% 32
Jones $46 $388 68.9% 45
Neshoba $51 $408 57.1% 28
Amite $60 $413 91.3% 23
Pike $48 $407 63.6% 33
Choctaw $60 $413 91.3% 23
Coahoma $48 $407 63.6% 33
Quitman $48 $407 63.6% 33
Sunflower $48 $433 66.7% 30
Holmes $48 $407 63.6% 33
Lawrence $49 $408 63.6% 33
Marshall $47 $393 65.0% 40
Leflore $48 $407 62.5% 32
Harrison $44 $394 72.0% 50
Jasper $51 $408 60.0% 30
Attala $48 $407 65.7% 35
Lamar $48 $426 74.2% 31
Grenada $50 $461 66.7% 24
Adams $65 $473 100.0% 16
Lowndes $67 $325 100.0% 10

Contact Information for Mississippi Medicare, Medicaid and Insurance Help

There are a slew of resources available regarding Medicare in Mississippi as well as information about other information resources. 

  • HelpAdvisor:Check out the HelpAdvisor website to learn more about what benefits are provided by Medicare in Mississippi and how to get help with enrollment/eligibility. 
  • Mississippi Insurance Department: The state's Department of Insurance provides counseling and assistance with Medicare online or via phone at (601) 359-3569.
  • Mississippi State Health Insurance Program (SHIP): The Mississippi SHIPprogram helps with Medicare counseling and obstacles to enrollment. Access this program online or via phone at (844) 822-4622.