What Are Medicare Advantage Plans in Mississippi?

Medicare Advantage plans are an alternative to Original Medicare, offered by private insurance companies approved by Medicare. These plans bundle together Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance), and most also include Part D (prescription drug coverage). Many plans offer extra benefits such as dental, vision, hearing, telehealth services, and fitness programs.

Medicare Eligibility

To enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, you must first sign up for Original Medicare (Parts A and B). Most people become eligible for Medicare enrollment at age 65, though some may qualify earlier due to disability or conditions like ALS or ESRD. Enrollment periods include:

• Initial Enrollment
• General Enrollment
• Special Enrollment

Late enrollment or lack of premium-free eligibility may result in penalties.

What Types of Medicare Advantage Plans Are Available in Mississippi?

Mississippi offers the following MA plan types:

• Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs): Use a provider network and require referrals for specialists.
• Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs): Allow out-of-network care at higher cost, usually no referrals needed.
• Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS): You can see any provider who accepts plan terms; some plans have networks.
• Special Needs Plans (SNPs):
  • C-SNPs: For chronic conditions such as cancer, stroke, or cardiovascular disease.
  • I-SNPs: For individuals in institutions or needing nursing care.
  • Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs): For those eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid, offering coordinated care and extra benefits.
• Medical Savings Accounts (MSAs): Combine a high-deductible plan with a savings account funded by the insurer.

What Are Your Prescription Drug Options with Medicare Advantage?

Most MA plans include Part D drug coverage. Exceptions include MSAs and some PFFS plans. If your plan doesn’t offer drug coverage:

• You may enroll in a standalone Part D plan (only available for some plans).
• You may incur penalties for late enrollment if you go without creditable coverage.

How Do You Choose a Medicare Advantage Plan?

Before selecting a plan, understand Medicare Advantage costs. Key considerations include:

• Premiums: Some plans charge $0 monthly premiums, others may have higher fees.
• Deductibles, Coinsurance & Copays: Know what you’ll pay for medical services.
• Out-of-Pocket Maximums: These caps limit your annual spending.
• Extra Benefits: Many plans offer dental, vision, hearing, OTC allowances, and gym memberships.

When and How Do You Enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan?

You can enroll in Medicare during the following specific enrollment periods:

• Initial Enrollment Period: 3 months before and after your 65th birthday month.
• Annual Open Enrollment (Oct 15–Dec 7): Join, switch, or drop an MA plan.
• General Enrollment (Jan 1–Mar 31): For new Part B enrollees.
• Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment (Jan 1–Mar 31): Switch or return to Original Medicare.
• Special Enrollment Periods: Life changes such as moving, losing coverage, or plan termination.

What If You Want to Change Your Medicare Advantage Plan?

You can change your plan during:

• Open Enrollment (Oct 15–Dec 7)
• Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment (Jan 1–Mar 31)

What Are Medicare Resources in Mississippi?

• SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program): Offers free Medicare counseling.
• SMP (Senior Medicare Patrol Program): Educates beneficiaries on avoiding Medicare fraud.
• Mississippi Insurance Department: Handles Medicare-related complaints.
• Mississippi Medicaid: For low-income individuals, the Mississippi Medicaid Cost-Sharing Program offers financial assistance. Learn about the differences between Medicare and Medicaid.

Understanding Medicare Advantage Star Ratings

The CMS star ratings system is how the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) rates Medicare Advantage (MA) plans using a 5-star quality scale. These ratings help consumers compare the performance of different plans based on a standardized set of measures.

CMS Star Ratings Overview

• 1 star: Poor performance
• 2 stars: Below average
• 3 stars: Average
• 4 stars: Above average
• 5 stars: Excellent

These ratings are updated annually and reflect data collected from Medicare Advantage (Part C) and Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plans (Part D).

Other Medicare Plan Options to Help with Out-of-Pocket Costs

Medicare Supplement Plans, or Medigap, help cover expenses not paid by Original Medicare, including deductibles and copays.

• You must have Medicare Parts A and B to enroll.
• The best time to join is during your six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period (begins when you enroll in Part B).
• Underwriting may apply outside this period.
• Medigap doesn’t include drug coverage—add a Part D plan separately.
• There are 10 standardized Medigap plans. Medicare Supplement Plan G had the highest enrollment in 2023 and continues to grow alongside Plan N.
• Plan F is not available to those newly eligible after 2020.
• These plans offer predictable costs, nationwide coverage, and no referrals required.

Learn more about Medicare Supplement plans in Mississippi.

Next Steps

If a Medicare Advantage plan in Mississippi sounds right for you, compare your options by reviewing premiums, provider networks, extra benefits, and out-of-pocket limits. Be ready to enroll during your eligibility window.