Mississippi had 96 Medicare Advantage plans available statewide in 2026, up from 88 the prior year, spread across all 82 counties. About 641,000 Mississippians are enrolled in Medicare overall, and roughly 276,000 of them (43%) had a Medicare Advantage plan as of early 2026. That penetration rate is below the national average of around 54%, which reflects Mississippi's older average beneficiary age, higher rates of disability-based Medicare eligibility (16% of beneficiaries in MS vs. 11% nationally), and the absence of Medicaid expansion in the state.
Humana, UnitedHealthcare, and Aetna are the dominant carriers by plan count. HealthSpring, the Medicare brand launched in 2026 after Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC) acquired Cigna's Medicare business in March 2025, also competes in Mississippi. WellCare (Centene) anchors the dual-eligible D-SNP market with plans tailored for residents who qualify for both Medicare and Mississippi Medicaid. Because Mississippi has not expanded Medicaid, fewer residents qualify for D-SNPs compared to expansion states, but dual-eligible beneficiaries who do qualify can access $0-premium plans with extensive additional benefits.
This guide covers the 2026 Mississippi Medicare Advantage market: plan count, leading carriers, what the plan types mean, how county affects your choices, and the key enrollment dates. The Annual Election Period is October 15 to December 7, 2026, for coverage starting January 1, 2027.
2026 Medicare Advantage Market Overview in Mississippi
In 2026, Mississippi has 96 Medicare Advantage plans available, with 276,000 beneficiaries enrolled (43% MA penetration). The average monthly premium is $11 and the statewide average Star Rating is 3.7.
Top Medicare Advantage carriers in Mississippi (2026)| Carrier | Plans | Avg Star Rating | Avg Premium |
|---|
| Humana | 22 | 3.6 | $7/mo |
| UnitedHealthcare | 18 | 4.0 | $9/mo |
| Aetna | 14 | 4.1 | $12/mo |
| HealthSpring | 12 | 4.0 | $8/mo |
| Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi | 10 | 3.8 | $14/mo |
| WellCare | 10 | 3.0 | $5/mo |
| Devoted Health | 5 | 3.5 | $0/mo |
| Clover Health | 4 | 3.5 | $0/mo |
Source: Healthline 2026 Medicare Plans in Mississippi; healthinsurance.org Mississippi Medicare data; KFF Medicare Advantage 2026 Spotlight; CMS Medicare Plan Finder
Plan Types in Mississippi: HMO vs PPO vs SNP
Medicare Advantage plan-type breakdown in Mississippi| Plan Type | Plans Available | Avg Premium | Best For |
|---|
| HMO / HMO-POS | 42 | $6/mo | Lower premiums, willing to use a defined network |
| PPO | 30 | $16/mo | Flexibility to see out-of-network providers at a higher cost share |
| Special Needs Plan (SNP) | 20 | $0/mo | Dual-eligible (Medicare + Medicaid), chronic conditions, or institutionalized |
| PFFS / Other | 4 | $18/mo | Private Fee-for-Service; uncommon, limited to select rural counties |
HMO and HMO-POS plans are the most common plan type in Mississippi. SNPs make up a significant share of the market due to high rates of dual eligibility. Plan counts are approximate and vary by county.
Source: CMS Medicare Plan Finder Q4 2025; Healthline 2026 Medicare Plans in Mississippi
County-Level Variance in Mississippi
Plan availability in Mississippi varies significantly by county. The Jackson metro area (Hinds, Rankin, Madison counties) has the widest selection, while the rural Mississippi Delta and northeastern hill counties have 30-40 plans. Even in the lowest-plan counties, all 82 counties have at least one MA plan available in 2026.
Plan count and average premium by county in Mississippi| County | Plans Available | Avg Premium |
|---|
| Hinds County (Jackson metro) | 62 | $32/mo |
| Rankin County (Jackson suburb) | 54 | $10/mo |
| Harrison County (Gulfport/Biloxi) | 48 | $12/mo |
| Alcorn County (Corinth area) | 37 | $18/mo |
| Issaquena County (Delta region) | 33 | $22/mo |
Plan counts and premiums from CMS Medicare Plan Finder Q4 2025 and MedicareAdvantage.com county data. Run a ZIP-code search at medicare.gov for exact plans in your area.
Source: CMS Medicare Plan Finder Q4 2025; MedicareAdvantage.com 2026 county data
What to Look For in a Medicare Advantage Plan in Mississippi
Picking a Medicare Advantage plan in Mississippi is not just about premium. Here is what matters most when shopping in 2026:
- Provider network. Confirm your primary care physician, specialists, and preferred hospital are in-network before enrolling. Mississippi has fewer hospital systems per capita than most states, so network gaps in rural counties are real. Urgent care access outside your county matters if you travel.
- Prescription drug coverage (formulary). Most Mississippi MA plans include Part D. Check that your medications are on the plan's formulary at the tier you can afford. The 2026 Part D out-of-pocket cap is $2,100 across all plans, a significant improvement from prior years under the Inflation Reduction Act.
- Star Ratings. CMS rates plans 1-5 stars on quality of care, member experience, and customer service. In Mississippi for 2026, no plan holds a 5-star rating, and the statewide average is around 3.7. Aetna and HealthSpring lead the state. Avoid plans below 3 stars unless they are the only option in your area.
- Extras (dental, vision, hearing, OTC, transportation). MA plans in Mississippi differ widely on supplemental benefits. Many $0-premium plans include annual dental cleanings, eye exams, and OTC allowances of $50-$100 per quarter. Check the Evidence of Coverage for actual limits, not just the summary.
- Maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP). The 2026 federal MOOP ceiling for in-network MA is $9,250 (down $100 from $9,350 in 2025). Mississippi plans vary widely, from around $3,300 for regional PPOs to $6,100-$7,200 for HMOs. A lower MOOP protects you more if you face a serious illness.
- Dual-eligible (D-SNP) options. If you qualify for both Medicare and Mississippi Medicaid, you are dual eligible and may enroll in a D-SNP with $0 premiums, $0 or low copays, and coordinated care. Mississippi has not expanded Medicaid under the ACA, so eligibility for Medicaid is limited to certain low-income groups. Contact your local SHIP office at 844-822-4622 to check if you qualify.
Key Medicare Dates in Mississippi
Medicare has several enrollment windows. Missing them can delay coverage or trigger late enrollment penalties.
- Annual Election Period (AEP): October 15 - December 7, 2026 — Switch between Original Medicare and MA, change MA plans, or change Part D plans. Coverage starts January 1, 2027.
- Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP): January 1 - March 31, 2026 — Existing MA enrollees can switch to a different MA plan or return to Original Medicare. One switch only per period.
- Initial Enrollment Period (IEP): 7-month window around your 65th birthday — Starts 3 months before your birthday month, includes the birth month, and runs 3 months after. Enroll in Medicare Parts A and B, then choose an MA plan or Original Medicare plus Part D.
- Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs): Varies by qualifying event — Triggered by moving out of your plan's service area, losing employer coverage, gaining or losing Medicaid eligibility, or other qualifying events. Typically a 2-3 month window after the event.
Notable Extras in Mississippi Plans
Mississippi's Medicare Advantage market has several features that distinguish it from the national picture:
- No Medicaid expansion and D-SNP eligibility: Mississippi is one of the states that has not expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. As a result, fewer residents qualify for D-SNPs (Dual Special Needs Plans) than in expansion states. To qualify for D-SNP in Mississippi, you generally need to be on full Medicaid (not just a partial benefit program). If you do qualify, D-SNPs offer $0 premiums, coordinated Medicare-Medicaid benefits, and often include extras like dental, vision, transportation, and OTC allowances. Contact the Mississippi Division of Medicaid at 800-421-2408 or your local SHIP office at 844-822-4622 to check eligibility.
- Higher disability-based Medicare eligibility: About 16% of Mississippi's Medicare population qualified due to disability (SSDI recipients under 65), compared to 11% nationally. Disability-based Medicare beneficiaries have the same MA enrollment rights as age-65 beneficiaries but may face different plan options in rural counties. Chronic Condition SNPs (C-SNPs) for conditions like diabetes, heart failure, or COPD are available from select carriers and often carry richer disease management benefits.
- Mississippi SHIP: free local plan counseling: Mississippi's State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) provides free, unbiased Medicare counseling to state residents. SHIP counselors can help you compare plans, understand your rights, and spot billing errors. Call 844-822-4622 to reach a local SHIP counselor. This is especially useful in rural counties where insurance agents may have limited MA expertise.
Medicare Advantage vs Original Medicare in Mississippi
Original Medicare (Parts A and B) plus a Medigap supplement and a standalone Part D drug plan gives you nationwide provider access and no prior authorization for most services. In Mississippi, Medigap + Part D together typically cost $150-$300 per month depending on the Medigap plan type and your age at enrollment. Medicare Advantage bundles hospital, medical, and usually drug coverage into one plan with an average premium of $11 per month statewide, but the trade-off is a defined provider network and prior authorization requirements for many services.
Mississippi has 38 Medigap insurers licensed to operate statewide. If you are in or near a major metro like Jackson or the Gulf Coast, Original Medicare plus a Medigap plan gives you access to the full University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) network and any provider nationally. If you spend all your time in Mississippi and want lower monthly costs plus extras like dental and vision, Medicare Advantage typically wins on total cost.
One consideration: unlike Original Medicare, MA plans require prior authorization for many procedures. Mississippi has a significant rural hospital shortage, and some MA networks exclude critical access hospitals in certain counties. Before enrolling in any MA plan, verify that your nearest hospital is in-network is in the network by calling the plan directly or using the plan's online provider directory.
How Star Ratings work and what they mean in Mississippi
CMS publishes Medicare Advantage Star Ratings each October, rating plans 1 to 5 stars across about 40 quality measures: management of chronic conditions, customer service, member complaints, and Part D drug safety. Those bonuses often fund richer dental and vision benefits. Plans rated 4 stars or higher receive quality bonus payments from CMS. Those bonuses often fund richer benefits the following plan year.
Mississippi's statewide weighted-average Star Rating for 2026 is approximately 3.7 stars, below the national average of about 3.8. No Mississippi plan holds a 5-star rating in 2026. Aetna and HealthSpring lead the state at around 4.0-4.1 stars. WellCare holds a 3.0-star rating for its Mississippi D-SNP products. A 5-star Special Enrollment Period (letting you switch into a 5-star plan any time of year) does not currently apply in Mississippi for 2026.
How Star Ratings work and what they mean in Mississippi detail| Carrier | MS Star Rating (2026) | Notes |
|---|
| Aetna | 4.1 | Highest in state; strong chronic care management |
| HealthSpring (HCSC) | 4.0 | Formerly Cigna Medicare; solid quality scores |
| UnitedHealthcare | 4.0 | 78% of members in 4-star or higher plans nationally |
| BCBS of Mississippi | 3.8 | Below-average Star Ratings but wide county coverage |
| Humana | 3.6 | Only 20% of members in 4-star plans nationally in 2026 |
| WellCare | 3.0 | D-SNP focus; lower overall Star Rating |
Star Ratings reflect 2026 CMS quality ratings. State-level ratings may differ from carrier national averages. Source: CMS Medicare Advantage Quality Rating System 2026.
Source: CMS Medicare Advantage Quality Rating System 2026; Healthcare Dive; Fierce Healthcare 2026 Star Ratings coverage
Medicare costs in 2026: what you pay regardless of which plan you pick
Regardless of whether you choose Medicare Advantage or Original Medicare in Mississippi, you still pay the standard Medicare Part B premium of $202.90 per month in 2026 (the same for most beneficiaries; higher-income enrollees pay more via IRMAA). The Part B annual deductible is $283 in 2026. If you are admitted to a hospital under Original Medicare, the Part A inpatient deductible is $1,736 per benefit period in 2026.
Medicare Advantage plans replace Part A and Part B cost-sharing with their own cost-sharing structure (copays, deductibles, MOOP). The 2026 Part D annual out-of-pocket cap is $2,100, and the insulin cap is $35 per month for covered insulin products. If you take insulin, confirm your insulin is on the plan's formulary before enrolling.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Medicare Advantage plans are available in Mississippi in 2026?
Mississippi has 96 Medicare Advantage plans available statewide in 2026, up from 88 in 2025. The exact number available to you depends on your county and ZIP code. Hinds County (Jackson) has around 62 plans; rural Delta counties may have 30-37. Run a ZIP-code search at medicare.gov to see your exact options.
What is the average Medicare Advantage premium in Mississippi for 2026?
The average monthly premium for Medicare Advantage plans in Mississippi is approximately $11 in 2026, below the national MA average of about $14. Many HMO plans charge $0 monthly premium. Regional PPO plans and plans with richer benefits tend to run higher, up to $189 per month for some options. You still pay the standard Part B premium of $202.90 per month regardless of which plan you choose.
Which carriers offer Medicare Advantage plans in Mississippi in 2026?
The main carriers offering Medicare Advantage in Mississippi for 2026 are Humana, UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, HealthSpring (HCSC, formerly Cigna Medicare), Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi, WellCare (Centene), Devoted Health, and Clover Health. Healthy Mississippi, Inc. also offers a local HMO-POS plan in select counties. Kaiser Permanente does not operate in Mississippi.
Does Mississippi have Medicaid expansion, and does that affect Medicare Advantage?
No. Mississippi has not expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act as of 2026. This means fewer residents qualify for Dual Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs) than in expansion states. To enroll in a D-SNP in Mississippi, you generally need to be on full Mississippi Medicaid, which has stricter income and asset limits. If you do qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid, D-SNPs offer $0 premiums and comprehensive coordinated care. Call 844-822-4622 (Mississippi SHIP) to check your eligibility.
When can I enroll in or switch Medicare Advantage plans in Mississippi?
The main enrollment window is the Annual Election Period (AEP) from October 15 to December 7, 2026, for coverage starting January 1, 2027. If you are already in an MA plan, you can switch once during the MA Open Enrollment Period (January 1 to March 31, 2026). New to Medicare? Use your 7-month Initial Enrollment Period around your 65th birthday. Qualifying life events (moving, losing employer coverage, gaining Medicaid) trigger Special Enrollment Periods.
What should Mississippi residents look for in a Medicare Advantage provider network?
Mississippi has a significant rural hospital shortage, and some MA plan networks exclude critical access hospitals in certain counties. Before enrolling, verify that your nearest hospital, primary care physician, and any specialists you see regularly are in-network. Call the plan directly or check their online provider directory. In rural Delta and hill counties, PPO plans may offer better out-of-network access if your preferred provider is not in the HMO network.
What is the maximum out-of-pocket limit for Medicare Advantage in Mississippi in 2026?
The federal ceiling for in-network maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) costs in Medicare Advantage is $9,250 in 2026, down $100 from $9,350 in 2025. Individual Mississippi plans set their own MOOP lower. In 2026, Mississippi HMO plans average around $6,100, regional PPOs are as low as $3,300, and PPO plans average around $7,200. Original Medicare has no annual out-of-pocket cap, which is one reason many people choose MA or Medigap.
Does Medicare Advantage cover dental, vision, and hearing in Mississippi?
Yes, most Mississippi Medicare Advantage plans include some level of dental, vision, and hearing benefits beyond what Original Medicare covers. Coverage varies widely by plan. Basic plans may cover only preventive dental (cleanings, exams, X-rays); more comprehensive plans cover restorative care like fillings and extractions. Vision benefits typically include one eye exam and an eyewear allowance annually. Hearing benefits often include one hearing exam and a partial hearing aid allowance. Check the plan's Evidence of Coverage for the specific annual dollar limits.
