Mississippi CHIP provides low-cost or no-cost health coverage to uninsured children under age 19 whose families earn too much for Medicaid but cannot afford private insurance. In 2026, the income ceiling for Mississippi CHIP is 209% of the federal poverty level, which equals $70,632 per year for a family of four. The program uses MAGI (Modified Adjusted Gross Income) rules, imposes no asset test, and accepts applications year-round through the Mississippi Division of Medicaid.
Mississippi is one of 10 states that has not expanded Medicaid under the ACA, meaning low-income adults who are not pregnant, disabled, or seniors often fall into a coverage gap. Children, however, have strong protections: Medicaid covers children up to 133 to 194 percent FPL (depending on age), and Mississippi CHIP picks up from that threshold through 209% FPL. This page shows the 2026 income limits by household size, explains the age-based rules, and walks through the application process step by step.
Direct Answer: Does My Child Qualify for Mississippi CHIP in 2026?
Yes, your child likely qualifies for Mississippi CHIP in 2026 if: the child is under age 19 and lives in Mississippi, family income is at or below 209% of the 2026 federal poverty level (up to $70,632 per year for a family of four), the child has no other health insurance, and the child does not qualify for standard Medicaid at the lower income threshold. Mississippi CHIP is year-round with no asset test.
Mississippi CHIP Income Limits by Household Size (2026)
Mississippi CHIP income limits are set at 209% of the 2026 federal poverty level, with a standard 5% MAGI disregard applied. The limits shown below are the official monthly gross income thresholds published by the Mississippi Division of Medicaid, effective March 1, 2026. These apply to the total MAGI household income for all tax filers and dependents in the household.
The income calculation for Mississippi CHIP uses MAGI (Modified Adjusted Gross Income). MAGI includes wages, salaries, tips, net self-employment income, Social Security benefits (if taxable), alimony received, and most other taxable income. MAGI does NOT count child support received, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), gifts, or inheritances. Federal income tax deductions and most business expenses reduce self-employment income before it is counted. No asset test applies for Mississippi CHIP or Medicaid for children.
Mississippi CHIP income limits by age group 2026 (Medicaid covers below lower threshold; CHIP covers up to 209% FPL)| Child Age Group | Medicaid Covers Below | Mississippi CHIP Covers Up To | Notes |
|---|
| Infants, age 0 to 1 | 194% FPL ($43,068/yr for hh-of-2) | 209% FPL ($46,308/yr for hh-of-2) | Narrow CHIP band for infants; most qualify for Medicaid |
| Children, age 1 to 5 | 143% FPL ($30,946/yr for hh-of-2) | 209% FPL ($46,308/yr for hh-of-2) | Broader CHIP band; most working-family children in this range |
| Children, age 6 to 18 | 133% FPL ($28,782/yr for hh-of-2) | 209% FPL ($46,308/yr for hh-of-2) | Widest CHIP coverage band for school-age children |
FPL dollar amounts use 2026 HHS Poverty Guidelines for 48 contiguous states. Household of 2 used as illustration. Apply your actual household size using the main income table above. Mississippi determines Medicaid eligibility before CHIP; most children who apply and are under the Medicaid threshold will be enrolled in Medicaid rather than CHIP.
Source: Mississippi Division of Medicaid income limits effective March 1, 2026; HHS ASPE 2026 Poverty Guidelines
How to Apply for Mississippi CHIP in 2026
Mississippi accepts CHIP applications year-round through multiple channels. The fastest channel is online through the ACCESS Mississippi portal at access.ms.gov, which allows families to apply for Medicaid, CHIP, and SNAP simultaneously. Phone applications are also accepted at 1-800-421-2408 (toll-free, Monday through Friday during business hours). Mississippi does not use presumptive eligibility for CHIP, so coverage does not begin immediately on the day of application.
Mississippi has up to 45 days to process CHIP applications. Once approved, children are enrolled in a MississippiCAN managed care plan. Three plans serve Mississippi CHIP members in 2026: TrueCare (licensed as Mississippi True, phone 1-833-230-2050), Molina Healthcare of Mississippi (phone 844-809-8438), and Magnolia Health Plan (phone 866-912-6285). All three plans must cover the same core benefit package required by Mississippi DOM.
What Mississippi CHIP Covers in 2026
Mississippi CHIP provides a comprehensive benefit package for enrolled children, including all services required under federal CHIP law. The core covered services include routine well-child visits and preventive care, doctor office visits and specialist visits, inpatient hospital stays, outpatient surgery, emergency room care, mental health and behavioral health services, substance use disorder treatment, dental care (up to $1,500 per year per child, including cleanings, checkups, and restorative work, with no copayments for dental), vision care (eye exams and eyeglasses), and prescription drugs.
Mississippi CHIP charges a $5 office visit copayment for most services, but no premiums and no copays for dental care. Federal law caps total family cost-sharing at 5% of annual household income. Children enrolled in Mississippi CHIP also receive EPSDT (Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment) services, which mandate that any medically necessary service be covered for children under 21, even if it falls outside the standard CHIP benefit package.
Is Mississippi a Medicaid Expansion State? What the ACA Gap Means for Families
Mississippi has NOT expanded Medicaid under the ACA. Mississippi is one of 10 non-expansion states as of 2026 (the others are Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin, and Wyoming). In non-expansion states, adults without dependent children typically do not qualify for Medicaid regardless of income. This creates an ACA coverage gap: adults earning below 100% of the 2026 federal poverty level ($15,960 for an individual) earn too little for ACA marketplace subsidies but do not qualify for Mississippi Medicaid.
Children are an important exception to the non-expansion rules. Mississippi covers children from birth through age 18 under both Medicaid and CHIP regardless of the state's non-expansion status. Medicaid covers children up to 133 to 194 percent FPL (depending on age), and Mississippi CHIP extends coverage to 209% FPL for children whose parents do not qualify for Medicaid themselves. Pregnant women in Mississippi qualify for Medicaid up to 194% FPL and for CHIP perinatal coverage above that in some cases.
Common Reasons Mississippi CHIP Applications Are Denied
Mississippi CHIP applications are most often denied for one of five reasons. Income above 209% FPL is the leading cause: families with household income exceeding the threshold for their household size are ineligible regardless of how high their out-of-pocket medical expenses are. Existing health insurance disqualifies a child: CHIP is specifically for uninsured children, so any employer plan, marketplace plan, or other group coverage disqualifies the child at the time of application.
Missing documentation delays or denies applications when families fail to return requested verification within the specified timeframe. Residency issues arise when a child does not maintain a primary Mississippi residence. Age-out denials occur when a child turns 19 during a renewal period; 12-month continuous eligibility means children who turn 19 mid-year retain coverage through the end of that eligibility year but must transition to other coverage afterward.
How to Appeal a Mississippi CHIP Denial
Mississippi CHIP applicants and enrollees have the right to appeal any denial, termination, or reduction of benefits. To exercise appeal rights, contact the Mississippi Division of Medicaid regional office listed on the denial notice within 30 days of the mailing date. Requests may be submitted in person, by phone, by mail, by fax, or through the general inquiry form at medicaid.ms.gov. If the child is already enrolled and receives a notice of termination, requesting an appeal within 15 days of the mailing date allows the child to keep coverage while the appeal is pending.
Children enrolled in a MississippiCAN managed care plan (TrueCare, Molina, or Magnolia Health) must first file a grievance or appeal with the managed care plan before proceeding to a state fair hearing. Each plan has an Appeals and Grievances address listed on the denial letter. If the managed care plan appeal fails, families may request a state fair hearing through the Mississippi Division of Medicaid. State fair hearings are a legal right under federal Medicaid and CHIP law.
About Mississippi CHIP and MississippiCAN
Mississippi CHIP is a combination CHIP program, meaning it blends a Medicaid expansion component (covering children at lower income levels who are added to the standard Medicaid program) with a separate CHIP component (covering children between the Medicaid cutoff and 209% FPL under a distinct CHIP benefit plan). Mississippi receives an enhanced federal match rate for CHIP enrollment, with the federal government funding approximately 95% of CHIP costs in Mississippi, compared to approximately 78% for standard Medicaid. This makes CHIP highly cost-effective for the state and supports broad coverage.
Mississippi CHIP operates under the MississippiCAN managed care umbrella along with standard Medicaid. All enrolled children are assigned to a managed care organization that coordinates primary care, specialist referrals, behavioral health, and pharmacy benefits. As of federal fiscal year 2018, approximately 88,000 Mississippi children were enrolled in CHIP. Enrollment figures may be confirmed at medicaid.ms.gov or by calling the Mississippi Division of Medicaid at 1-800-421-2408.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the income limit for Mississippi CHIP for a family of 4 in 2026?
For a family of four in Mississippi, the 2026 CHIP income limit is $70,632 per year ($5,886 per month). This is 209% of the 2026 federal poverty level with the standard 5% MAGI disregard applied, effective March 1, 2026. Families above this threshold do not qualify for CHIP but may find coverage through the ACA marketplace at healthcare.gov.
What counts as income for Mississippi CHIP (MAGI definition)?
Mississippi CHIP uses MAGI (Modified Adjusted Gross Income) to count income. MAGI includes wages, salaries, tips, net self-employment income, taxable Social Security benefits, taxable interest and dividends, rental income, alimony received (for divorces finalized before 2019), and most other taxable income. MAGI does NOT count child support received, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), gifts, inheritances, or workers compensation. No asset test applies.
What documents do I need to apply for Mississippi CHIP?
Required documents include proof of identity for each child (birth certificate or passport), Social Security numbers for all applicants, proof of Mississippi residency (utility bill, lease, or school records), and income documentation (30 days of pay stubs, W-2, 1099, or employer letter). Self-employed applicants need a Schedule C or profit/loss statement. Non-citizen children need immigration status documents (green card, visa, or I-94).
How long does the Mississippi CHIP application process take?
Mississippi has up to 45 days to process CHIP applications. Processing is faster if all required documents are submitted with the application. If additional information is requested by mail, respond promptly to avoid further delays. You can check your application status by calling the Mississippi Division of Medicaid at 1-800-421-2408. Mississippi CHIP does not use presumptive eligibility, so coverage does not start on the application date.
Can I work and still get Mississippi CHIP for my child?
Yes. Mississippi CHIP is designed for working families. There is no requirement that parents be unemployed. As long as total household MAGI income is at or below 209% of the 2026 federal poverty level ($5,886 per month for a family of four), the child may qualify. Many CHIP-enrolled families have one or two working parents whose employer does not offer affordable family coverage or whose employer plan would cost more than 5% of household income.
Is Mississippi a Medicaid expansion state?
No. Mississippi has not expanded Medicaid under the ACA as of 2026. Mississippi is one of 10 non-expansion states, along with Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Low-income adults in Mississippi without dependent children generally do not qualify for Medicaid. However, children under 19 have broader coverage access through both Medicaid and CHIP regardless of the non-expansion status.
What happens if my child is denied Mississippi CHIP?
You have the right to appeal within 30 days of the denial notice mailing date. Contact the Mississippi Division of Medicaid regional office listed on the denial letter in person, by phone, or by mail. If your child was already enrolled and received a termination notice, appeal within 15 days to keep coverage active during the appeal. If enrolled in a managed care plan, file the appeal with TrueCare, Molina, or Magnolia Health first before requesting a state fair hearing.
What is the difference between Mississippi CHIP and Medicaid for children?
Both programs cover children in Mississippi, but they serve different income levels. Mississippi Medicaid covers children at lower incomes (up to 133 to 194 percent FPL depending on age), is fully Medicaid-funded, and imposes no cost-sharing for most services. Mississippi CHIP covers children above the Medicaid threshold up to 209% FPL, is partially funded by federal CHIP funds (about 95% federal match), and charges a $5 office visit copayment. Both are administered by the Mississippi Division of Medicaid and operate through MississippiCAN managed care plans.
