Can Immigrants Get Medicaid in Mississippi? (2026)

Direct Answer: Which Immigrants Can Get Mississippi Medicaid in 2026

It depends on three factors: your immigration status, household income, and Mississippi Medicaid coverage category. Qualified immigrants including lawful permanent residents, refugees, asylees, Cuban and Haitian entrants, and VAWA survivors may qualify if they meet income limits. Most LPRs must complete a 5-year waiting period; refugees and asylees are exempt. Mississippi has not expanded Medicaid, so childless adults without a disability do not qualify at any income level. Undocumented immigrants qualify only for Emergency Medicaid.

Mississippi Medicaid Income Limits and Coverage Categories for Immigrants (2026)

Mississippi Medicaid applies the same income and category rules to qualified immigrants as to U.S. citizens. Mississippi measures income using MAGI (Modified Adjusted Gross Income), which is the same definition used for ACA marketplace eligibility. The 2026 federal poverty level (FPL) for a household of 1 is $15,960 and for a household of 4 is $33,000. Because Mississippi has not expanded Medicaid to 138% FPL for adults, the only adults who qualify are parents and caretaker relatives of dependent children (at approximately 27% FPL, or about $294 per month for a single parent in 2026) and adults who are aged, blind, or disabled. Family size follows federal MAGI household composition rules. Most immigrant workers and childless adults without a disability do not qualify regardless of income level.

Mississippi Medicaid income thresholds by coverage group (effective March 1, 2026):

The 5-Year Bar and Who Is Exempt in Mississippi

The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA) created the 5-year bar, which prohibits most qualified immigrants who entered the U.S. on or after August 22, 1996 from receiving full federal Medicaid during the first five years after they obtain a qualified immigration status. The clock starts from the date you became a qualified immigrant, not from the date you arrived in the U.S. Lawful permanent residents who spent years in the U.S. on other visas before getting their green card still must wait five years from the green card date.

Mississippi does not use state funds to cover immigrants during the 5-year bar. States like California and New York cover lawfully present immigrant children and pregnant women during the waiting period using state-only funds through the ICHIA option. Mississippi has not adopted that option. Qualified immigrants in Mississippi who are in the 5-year waiting period have no pathway to Medicaid, but they may qualify for ACA marketplace coverage with premium tax credits if their income is between 100% and 400% of the 2025 FPL (used for 2026 marketplace eligibility year). Immigrants below 100% FPL who are ineligible for Medicaid because of the 5-year bar are in the coverage gap.

• Exempt from the 5-year bar (immediately eligible if they meet income and category rules): refugees (exemption lasts 7 years from date of admission), asylees (exemption lasts the full duration of asylee status), Cuban and Haitian entrants, Amerasians, Afghan and Iraqi Special Immigrant Visa holders, survivors of domestic violence under VAWA, and certain humanitarian parolees.
• Not exempt (must serve 5-year bar): most lawful permanent residents (green card holders), Compact of Free Association (COFA) nation citizens from the Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, and Palau, and certain parolees not covered under a specific humanitarian designation.
• Not eligible for full Medicaid at all (only Emergency Medicaid): DACA recipients, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders (before October 1, 2026, TPS could qualify; after October 1, 2026, TPS loses federal eligibility under H.R. 1), individuals on tourist visas (B-1/B-2), student visas (F-1), work visas (H-1B, H-2A), undocumented immigrants, and individuals whose visa or status does not meet the qualified immigrant definition.

Emergency Medicaid in Mississippi for Ineligible Immigrants

Mississippi provides Emergency Medicaid to immigrants who do not qualify for full coverage because of their immigration status. Emergency Medicaid covers treatment for emergency medical conditions only: conditions that arise suddenly, require immediate medical attention, and for which failure to provide treatment could result in placing the patient's health in serious jeopardy, serious impairment to bodily functions, or serious dysfunction of any bodily organ or part. Emergency Medicaid in Mississippi does not cover routine prenatal care, routine postpartum care, or organ transplants.

Mississippi uses Emergency Medicaid to pay hospitals for emergency services provided to ineligible immigrants when those individuals meet all Mississippi Medicaid eligibility criteria except immigration status. Emergency Medicaid is billed on a fee-for-service basis directly through the Mississippi Division of Medicaid rather than through managed care plans. One important rule: a child born in Mississippi to a mother who is eligible only for Emergency Medicaid (including undocumented mothers) is automatically eligible for regular Mississippi Medicaid from the date of birth, because U.S.-born children are U.S. citizens.

H.R. 1 (One Big Beautiful Bill Act) Changes to Mississippi Medicaid for Immigrants Starting October 1, 2026

H.R. 1, signed into law in 2025, makes major changes to which noncitizen categories are eligible for federal Medicaid and CHIP funding, effective October 1, 2026. After that date, federal Medicaid matching funds will be available only for U.S. citizens and a narrow set of noncitizen categories: lawful permanent residents (green card holders, still subject to the 5-year bar), Cuban and Haitian entrants, and citizens of Compact of Free Association (COFA) nations. Most other qualifying noncitizen categories that were previously eligible will lose federal Medicaid funding.

Categories that lose federal Medicaid and CHIP eligibility under H.R. 1 starting October 1, 2026 include: refugees and asylees who have not yet obtained green card status, survivors of domestic violence under VAWA who do not hold LPR status, humanitarian parolees (including Afghan and Ukrainian parolees), Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders, Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders who have not obtained green cards, and Amerasians. Mississippi has not indicated it will use state funds to maintain coverage for these groups after October 1, 2026. Affected individuals should contact Mississippi Division of Medicaid at 1-800-421-2408 or visit medicaid.ms.gov for guidance on their individual status under the new rules.

Is Mississippi a Medicaid Expansion State? The Coverage Gap for Immigrants

Mississippi has not expanded Medicaid under the ACA and is one of 10 remaining non-expansion states as of June 2026. The 10 non-expansion states are Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Mississippi's legislature debated expansion through HB 114 in early 2026, but the legislation did not advance. Because Mississippi has not expanded, adults who would earn up to 138% of the 2026 FPL ($22,025 for an individual) in an expansion state do not qualify for Mississippi Medicaid as working-age adults without a disability.

Mississippi immigrants who fall in the coverage gap face a particularly difficult situation. An immigrant parent working a low-wage job may earn too much for Mississippi Medicaid (the parent threshold is about 27% FPL) but too little to afford ACA marketplace coverage, and below 100% FPL immigrants are not eligible for ACA premium tax credits even in the coverage gap states. Immigrants who are in the 5-year bar waiting period and earn between 100% and 400% of the 2025 FPL may qualify for ACA marketplace plans with premium subsidies at healthcare.gov during open enrollment (November 1 to January 15 for the 2026 plan year).

How to Apply for Mississippi Medicaid as an Immigrant

Mississippi Medicaid applications are available year-round. Mississippi uses the same application for immigrants and citizens. The Mississippi Division of Medicaid accepts applications through its online portal at access.ms.gov, by mail, by fax, or in person at any of 30 regional offices. The online portal is the fastest option and allows applicants to track their application status, respond to requests for additional information, and upload documents electronically.

Receiving Mississippi Medicaid as an immigrant does not count as a public charge for immigration purposes as of 2026. CMS and USCIS guidance confirms that Medicaid does not make someone a public charge under the current public charge rule. Long-term care institutional Medicaid (nursing home coverage paid by Medicaid) is a limited exception and may be considered in some immigration cases. Immigrants uncertain about public charge implications should consult an immigration attorney or a nonprofit immigration legal aid organization before applying.

Common Reasons Mississippi Medicaid Applications Are Denied for Immigrants

Mississippi Division of Medicaid denies immigrant applications most often for the following reasons: (1) Immigration status not qualifying under federal rules (DACA, TPS after October 1, 2026, tourist or student visa holders), (2) The 5-year bar has not been completed for LPR applicants who are not in an exempt category, (3) Income exceeds the applicable threshold for the category applied for (especially the very low parent threshold of about 27% FPL), (4) The applicant is a childless adult without a disability, which is not a covered category in Mississippi because the state has not expanded Medicaid, (5) Missing or unverifiable documentation such as immigration papers, Social Security number, residency proof, or income verification.

Can undocumented immigrants get Medicaid in Mississippi?

No, undocumented immigrants cannot get full Mississippi Medicaid. They qualify only for Emergency Medicaid, which covers treatment for acute emergencies such as heart attacks, strokes, serious injuries, and emergency labor and delivery. Emergency Medicaid in Mississippi does not cover routine prenatal care, routine postpartum care, or organ transplants. A child born in Mississippi to an undocumented mother is a U.S. citizen and automatically qualifies for regular Mississippi Medicaid from birth.

Does a green card holder have to wait 5 years for Mississippi Medicaid?

Yes. Most lawful permanent residents (green card holders) must complete a 5-year waiting period from the date they obtained LPR status before becoming eligible for full Mississippi Medicaid. The 5-year clock starts from the date on the green card, not from the date of arrival in the U.S. During the wait, LPRs may apply for ACA marketplace plans with subsidies at healthcare.gov if their income is between 100% and 400% of the 2025 FPL.

Are refugees exempt from the 5-year Medicaid waiting period in Mississippi?

Yes. Refugees are completely exempt from the federal 5-year bar. The exemption lasts for 7 years from the date of admission to the U.S. as a refugee. After 7 years, if the refugee has not obtained lawful permanent resident status or citizenship, the 5-year bar may apply. Asylees are also exempt for the full duration of their asylee status. Both groups must still meet Mississippi Medicaid's income limits and coverage category requirements.

What income limit applies to immigrant families in Mississippi Medicaid in 2026?

Mississippi Medicaid applies the same income thresholds to immigrants as to citizens. For children, the limit is 133% to 194% FPL depending on age (ages 6 to 19 qualify at 133% FPL; infants and children under 6 qualify at higher thresholds). For pregnant women, the limit is 194% FPL (about $2,648 per month for a household of 1 in 2026). For parents and caretaker relatives, the threshold is about 27% FPL (about $294 per month for a single parent in 2026). Childless adults without a disability do not qualify at any income level.

Can DACA recipients get Medicaid in Mississippi?

No. DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) is not a qualified immigration status for federal Medicaid purposes. DACA recipients are not eligible for full Mississippi Medicaid. They qualify only for Emergency Medicaid in Mississippi for treatment of acute emergency medical conditions. DACA recipients can apply for ACA marketplace plans at healthcare.gov if their income is between 100% and 400% of the FPL.

What is changing for immigrants under H.R. 1 (One Big Beautiful Bill Act) in October 2026?

Starting October 1, 2026, H.R. 1 restricts federal Medicaid and CHIP funding for immigrants to only lawful permanent residents (green card holders, subject to the 5-year bar) and Cuban and Haitian entrants. Categories that lose federal eligibility include refugees and asylees who have not yet obtained green cards, VAWA survivors without LPR status, TPS holders, humanitarian parolees, and SIV holders. Mississippi has not indicated it will use state-only funds to continue coverage for affected groups. Individuals in these categories should contact Mississippi Medicaid at 1-800-421-2408 for guidance.

Will getting Medicaid in Mississippi affect my immigration application (public charge)?

Receiving Mississippi Medicaid does not count against you as a public charge for most immigration purposes as of 2026. Federal guidance from USCIS confirms that Medicaid is generally excluded from the public charge determination. The exception is long-term care Medicaid (nursing home care paid by Medicaid for an extended period), which may be considered in limited immigration proceedings. If you are applying for a green card or any immigration benefit and are concerned about public charge, consult a qualified immigration attorney or a nonprofit legal aid organization before applying for Medicaid.

Is Mississippi a Medicaid expansion state for immigrants?

No. Mississippi has not expanded Medicaid under the ACA and is one of 10 remaining non-expansion states as of 2026. This means immigrant adults without a disability do not qualify for Mississippi Medicaid based on income alone, even if they are fully qualified immigrants who have completed the 5-year bar. The only adult categories that qualify are parents and caretaker relatives (at approximately 27% FPL) and adults who are aged, blind, or disabled. Immigrants in the coverage gap who earn between 100% and 400% FPL may qualify for ACA marketplace plans at healthcare.gov.