Mississippi's Medicaid program does not pay Part B premiums for most beneficiaries, even though some other states do

Mississippi's Medicaid program has chosen not to cover Medicare Part B premiums — the monthly cost for doctor visits and outpatient care — as a state-funded benefit. This is a state decision, not a federal rule. Other states, including New York, California, and Pennsylvania, do pay Part B premiums for certain low-income Medicare beneficiaries through their Medicaid programs. Mississippi has not adopted this practice.

If you live in Mississippi and have both Medicare and Medicaid, you will pay your Part B premium yourself unless you may have access to for a federal program that covers it. The premium amount changes each year; it was $164.90 per month in 2024, though this varies based on your income level and when you first enrolled in Part B.

Key Takeaways

  • Mississippi Medicaid does not pay Medicare Part B premiums, though some other states choose to do so.
  • If you have both Medicare and Medicaid in Mississippi, you are responsible for paying your Part B premium each month unless a federal program covers it.
  • The federal may have access to Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) program may cover your Part B premium if your income is low enough, regardless of what Mississippi Medicaid does.
  • You can contact Mississippi Medicaid or your local Area Agency on Aging to learn whether you meet the income limits for QMB or other premium-information programs.

What Mississippi Medicaid actually covers for Medicare beneficiaries

Mississippi Medicaid does cover some costs for people who have both Medicare and Medicaid — a group called "dual may be able to access." Medicaid in Mississippi pays Medicare cost-sharing, which means copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles for covered services. It does not, however, pay the monthly premiums you owe to Medicare itself.

The distinction matters. If you go to the doctor and Medicare covers the visit, your Medicaid will pay the copay you would normally owe. But the monthly premium you send to Medicare — the price of having Part B in the first place — is your responsibility in Mississippi.

Federal programs that may cover your Part B premium instead

Even though Mississippi does not pay Part B premiums through its Medicaid program, you may still have the premium covered through a federal program that operates in every state, including Mississippi. The may have access to Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) program is a federal benefit that covers Medicare premiums, deductibles, and cost-sharing for people whose income falls below a certain threshold.

In 2024, the QMB income limit for a single person was roughly $1,415 per month, though this amount changes yearly and varies slightly by state. If your income is at or below this level and you have Medicare Part A, you can receive QMB benefits regardless of whether Mississippi Medicaid covers premiums. QMB is administered through your state Medicaid agency, but it is a federal program with its own rules.

Two other federal programs work similarly: the Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) program covers Part B premiums only, and the may have access to Individual (QI) program covers Part B premiums for people with slightly higher incomes. All three are run by state Medicaid offices but funded and designed by the federal government.

How to learn about you may have access to for federal premium help

Contact the Mississippi Division of Medicaid directly to ask about QMB, SLMB, or QI. You can reach them at 1-601-359-6050 or visit their website at medicaid.ms.gov. Have your Social Security number, proof of income (recent pay stubs, tax return, or benefit statements), and your Medicare card available when you call.

You can also contact your local Area Agency on Aging, which has staff trained to help older adults understand these programs. To find your local agency, call the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116 and give them your zip code. They will connect you to an agency near you that can walk you through the process and answer questions about your specific situation.

If you are already receiving Mississippi Medicaid, you can ask your caseworker whether you have been screened for QMB or the other federal programs. Some people are enrolled automatically, but others must request it.

Why states make different choices about Part B premiums

States have the power to decide whether to use their own Medicaid dollars to pay Medicare premiums for low-income beneficiaries. This is an optional benefit — the federal government does not require it. Some states, like New York and California, decided long ago to pay Part B premiums for all dual-may be able to access beneficiaries. Other states, including Mississippi, have not made that choice.

State budget constraints, political priorities, and historical policy decisions all play a role. Mississippi has chosen to direct its Medicaid funding toward other services and populations. This does not mean the state is breaking any rule; it means the state has set its own spending priorities within the federal Medicaid framework.

What to do if you cannot afford your Part B premium

If you are struggling to pay your Part B premium, start by confirming whether you may have access to for QMB, SLMB, or QI. These programs exist specifically to help people in your situation, and many may be able to access people do not know about them.

If your income is above the QMB threshold but you still cannot afford the premium, contact Medicare directly at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to discuss your options. Medicare has programs for people facing financial hardship, and the staff can explain what might be available to you. You can also ask about income-related premium reductions if your income has changed recently.

Do not skip paying your Part B premium if you can avoid it. If you stop paying, Medicare will disenroll you from Part B, and you may face a permanent penalty if you try to re-enroll later. The penalty adds 10 percent to your premium for each full year you were not enrolled, and it lasts for the rest of your life.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Mississippi Medicaid cover any Medicare premiums at all?

No. Mississippi Medicaid does not pay Part A premiums, Part B premiums, or Part D (prescription drug) premiums. It covers cost-sharing only — copays, deductibles, and coinsurance — for services Medicare has already approved.

If I move to another state, will that state pay my Part B premium?

It depends on the state. Some states, like New York and California, do pay Part B premiums for low-income beneficiaries. Others do not. When you move, contact your new state's Medicaid office to learn what benefits are available. You can also ask about federal programs like QMB, which work in every state.

Can I appeal Mississippi's decision not to pay Part B premiums?

No. This is a state policy decision, not an individual information. You cannot appeal a state's choice about which optional Medicaid benefits to offer. However, you can still pursue federal programs like QMB if your income qualifies.

What happens if I cannot pay my Part B premium and do not may have access to for QMB?

Contact Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE to discuss hardship options. You can also reach out to your state health insurance counselor through the State Health Insurance information Program (SHIP). In Mississippi, SHIP is called the Mississippi State Health Insurance information Program (SHIP), and you can find a counselor by calling 1-601-359-6050.

If I have both Medicare and Mississippi Medicaid, do I still have to pay copays?

No. Mississippi Medicaid covers your Medicare copays, coinsurance, and deductibles for covered services. You pay the Part B premium, but Medicaid covers the cost-sharing that comes after Medicare approves a service.