How To Find the Best Health Insurance in Mississippi

By shopping around from several carriers, you can find the best Mississippi health insurance plan that fits your needs and budget. Health insurance in the "Magnolia State" costs slightly less than the national average, but you will still want to compare quotes to ensure you’re getting the most affordable coverage possible.

Continue reading to learn about health insurance in Mississippi, including the cheapest plans, costs in some of the state’s biggest cities and the different kinds of health care available.

On This Page

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  Is Health Insurance Required in Mississippi?

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  Mississippi Health Insurance Rankings

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  How Much Does Health Insurance Cost in Mississippi?

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  What Is the Average Cost of Health Insurance in Mississippi by City?

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  Which Health Insurance Companies Are the Most Affordable in Mississippi?

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  When Is Open Enrollment for Health Insurance in Mississippi?

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  What Types of Health Insurance Are Available in Mississippi?

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  How To Get Health Insurance in Mississippi

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  FAQs

Is Health Insurance Required in Mississippi?

Residents in Mississippi are not required to have health insurance, as the state does not impose taxes or fines for lacking coverage. While the Affordable Care Act (ACA) previously imposed a federal tax penalty for not enrolling in a plan with minimum essential benefits, this penalty has been reduced to $0 as of tax year 2018.^[1][2]

Mississippi Health Insurance Rankings

Mississippi’s health care system struggles compared to other states, ranking last in a state-by-state analysis by the Commonwealth Fund, which took a holistic look at the health care systems in each U.S. state and Washington, D.C. Mississippi ranked 50th in healthy lives and in reproductive and women’s health and 35th, the state’s highest score, in income disparity. When considering all metrics, the state ranked last among twelve Southeastern states, including Alabama, Florida and Georgia.^[3]

Below is an overview of Mississippi’s national rank in each of the dimensions analyzed by the Commonwealth Fund:^[3]

How Much Does Health Insurance Cost in Mississippi?

Marketplace benchmark plans in Mississippi cost $485 per month on average, less expensive than the nationwide average of $497 per month. On average, Mississippi residents pay a monthly premium of $443 for the lowest-cost bronze plan available in the state, $479 for the lowest-cost silver plan and $554 for the lowest-cost gold plan.^[4]

Cheapest Health Insurance Options in Mississippi

The cheapest Marketplace monthly health insurance premiums are in Mississippi’s bronze-tier plans. Because bronze plans typically have lower premiums in exchange for higher deductibles, copays and coinsurance, they may be better for people who are healthy and don't expect to need a lot of medical care.^[5] However, since gold and platinum plans can reduce out-of-pocket costs, a higher monthly premium may be worth paying if you have certain health conditions or have recently been injured and anticipate frequent medical care.

Another means of cutting costs on your premium could come from selecting a health maintenance organization (HMO) plan, which usually has lower monthly payments than preferred provider organization (PPO) plans. However, HMOs may not be able to meet your needs, as they typically offer fewer benefits than PPOs. For example, non-emergency out-of-network care is frequently not covered by HMOs, and a primary care physician’s referral may be necessary to see a specialist.

What Is the Average Cost of Health Insurance in Mississippi by City?

Below, we’ll review the median monthly rates across all metal tiers for health care coverage plans for 30-year-olds making $40,000 annually in five major Mississippi cities before considering premium tax credits.^[6]

Which Health Insurance Companies Are the Most Affordable in Mississippi?

Cigna offers Mississippi’s most affordable health insurance plans in the silver tiers. However, other insurers may offer cheaper rates depending on where you live. For example, Molina offers cheaper rates in Jackson.^[7]

Below is an overview of Mississippi health insurers with silver plan cost ranges below $650 before premium tax credits for 40-year-old individuals.^[7]

When Is Open Enrollment for Health Insurance in Mississippi?

During the open enrollment period (November 1 to January 15), residents of Mississippi can sign up for a health insurance plan through the Marketplace at Healthcare.gov. Select your health insurance plan by December 15 to ensure your coverage begins on January 1 — otherwise, coverage won’t begin until February 1.^[8]

You may be able to enroll outside of the regular open enrollment window if certain qualifying life events trigger a special enrollment period. Special enrollment periods typically last 60 days before or following events like moving, getting married, starting a family, or losing employer-sponsored major medical coverage.^[9]

What Types of Health Insurance Are Available in Mississippi?

Some of the major types of medical insurance you can purchase in Mississippi include the following:

• Marketplace health plans
• Short-term health plans
• Private health insurance coverage directly from health care providers
• Employer-sponsored group health insurance
• Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) continuation coverage
• Medicare
• Medicaid services
• Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
• Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health benefits
• Student health plans

How To Get Health Insurance in Mississippi

Comparing health insurance quotes from three to five providers can help you find a good deal. While looking up each insurance company one by one can be tedious, using an insurance marketplace like SmartFinancial can speed things up.

After completing a brief questionnaire, we can connect you with a certified insurance agent who can help you find affordable health plans that meet your needs. Click here to receive a free quote for a Mississippi health insurance plan!