Healthcare Assistance for Single Mothers in Mississippi

What has changed in 2026?

MississippiCAN and CHIP: From October 1 to December 15, 2026, eligible members may change their Medicaid or CHIP health plan for January 1, 2027. Switching is optional. This is not a Medicaid application deadline. Compare plans in the state’s 2026 guide.

Marketplace plans for 2027: Open enrollment is November 1, 2026–January 15, 2027. Enroll by December 15, 2026, for January 1 coverage, according to HealthCare.gov. Medicaid and CHIP accept applications all year.

Where to start

Start with the care you need. You do not have to know the program name to ask for help. For food, rent, and bill support, see our Mississippi help guide.

Quick reference

Mississippi Medicaid and CHIP

Mississippi Medicaid covers many eligible low-income children, pregnant women, some parents and caretakers, people with disabilities, older adults, and other groups. The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) helps some uninsured children under 19 who do not qualify for Medicaid. A child already covered by qualifying health insurance generally cannot enroll in CHIP at the time of application. Mississippi’s CHIP page explains the rules. You can apply for Medicaid and CHIP any time of year.

Apply using the state Medicaid application page. You can apply online, by fax, mail, or at a regional office. Call 800-421-2408 to ask for a mailed form or help. Use the income-based MAGI form for children, pregnant women, low-income parents, and family health coverage. The state has another form for age, blindness, or disability coverage.

The state’s coverage groups include children, some parents and caretakers, pregnant people, and certain age or disability groups. Each person in one home may have a different rule.

Basic 2026 income screen

The official monthly income chart below is effective March 1, 2026. These are gross monthly dollar limits for a first screen, not a promise of approval. They already reflect the state’s possible 5% federal poverty level disregard. The state decides which family size and income rules apply. Pregnancy can increase Medicaid family size by the number of babies expected. Do not assume the “one person” row applies to a pregnant person.

Child coverage note: Mississippi generally provides 12 months of continuous eligibility for children under 19 on Medicaid or CHIP, with limited exceptions. Keep all notices, report changes as requested, and ask about the child’s renewal date. Federal child coverage rules explain this protection.

For a national plain-English overview, read ASMOM’s Medicaid guide.

Pregnancy, postpartum, and family planning help

If you are pregnant, apply as soon as you can. Mississippi says people who qualify for pregnancy Medicaid receive coverage through a 12-month postpartum period. A baby born while the mother has Medicaid is generally covered through the baby’s first birthday. Medicaid counts an expected baby when it sets pregnancy household size. The state also lists a special eligibility rule for pregnant minors under 19; ask Medicaid to check that rule even if household income seems too high. Mississippi’s coverage page gives these pregnancy and newborn rules.

Ask your clinic about presumptive eligibility. A qualified provider may approve temporary, limited prenatal care while you apply for full Medicaid. Not every clinic can make this decision. Ask who can and whether you must send a full application.

The MAMA portal connects pregnant women and mothers to state and local resources. It is a referral tool, not a Medicaid application.

The Mississippi State Department of Health has women’s health services and county health departments that can help with pregnancy-related referrals, family planning, and public health services. If you need WIC for food, nutrition support, or breastfeeding help, start with the state WIC apply page and see ASMOM’s Mississippi WIC guide.

Mississippi’s family planning waiver is for eligible people ages 13–44 who meet the program’s income and insurance rules. It pays for limited family planning services and related care, not regular doctor visits or full health insurance. It requires yearly renewal. Ask the clinic what services are covered before the visit.

Low-cost clinics and health centers

If you do not qualify for Medicaid, are waiting on a decision, or need a clinic that works with uninsured patients, try a community health center. HRSA-funded health centers provide primary care and may also offer dental, behavioral health, pharmacy, pregnancy, and referral services. Use Find a Health Center to search by ZIP code.

County health departments are another starting point for public health services. Mississippi’s county clinics page lists appointment information and services. County health departments can be useful for WIC, immunizations, family planning, screenings, and referrals.

Health Help Mississippi is a nonprofit enrollment and advocacy program that helps eligible Mississippians with Medicaid and CHIP applications, reapplications, and coverage problems. Its statewide toll-free number is 1-877-314-3843.

Dental and mental health access paths

For dental care, first check whether the child or adult is covered by Medicaid or CHIP and whether the dentist accepts the exact plan. Use the Medicaid provider search tool. If you do not have coverage, ask community health centers about dental services or referrals. For more detail, see ASMOM’s dental care help.

For mental health help, start with the Mississippi Department of Mental Health. DMH says mobile crisis response teams serve all 82 counties. The DMH Helpline at 1-877-210-8513 can help you find local care through community services. For urgent mental health needs, ask about mobile crisis teams.

If you also face unsafe housing, food loss, or a utility shutoff, call Mississippi 211 for local referrals. If someone may be monitoring your device, try to contact help from a safer phone or location.

Documents and information to gather

You can start an application before every document is ready. Missing proof may still slow the case. Keep one folder with your pay records, benefit notices, child records, application receipts, and copies of any proof you send.

Renewals, notices, and reporting changes

Medicaid and CHIP are not set-and-forget benefits. Mississippi may first try to renew coverage using records it already has. If the state mails a form, reply by the date on the notice. The online renewal steps say to wait for a renewal request, sign in at Access MS, check each part, upload any proof, and save the submission confirmation. Some cases renew through other offices; call the state if nothing appears in your account.

Tell Medicaid when your address, household, income, pregnancy, insurance, or phone number changes. A missed notice can cause a loss of coverage even if you still qualify.

Changing your Medicaid or CHIP health plan

The state plan rules set October 1–December 15 for MississippiCAN and CHIP plan changes, effective January 1. Applying for coverage is still allowed all year. Before switching, ask if your doctors and pharmacy take the new plan.

What to do if denied, delayed, or cut off

A denial may result from missing proof, an income error, or a rule about who can get Medicaid. Check whether the notice came from Medicaid, CHIP, a health plan, or the Marketplace. Read the date, reason, and appeal steps. Save every page and the envelope.

The Medicaid hearing rules generally require a request within 30 days of the notice’s mailing date. If Medicaid or CHIP coverage is being ended, asking within 15 days may keep coverage in place during the appeal. The state may seek repayment if its action is upheld. Call the office on your notice or 800-421-2408 at once. Health-plan service denials use different appeal steps.

For legal help, try Mississippi Legal Services. For Medicaid or CHIP applications and appeals, Health Help Mississippi offers free help at 1-877-314-3843.