How are Mississippi residents protected in the health insurance market?

In Mississippi, as in many other states, your health insurance options are somewhat dependent on your health status. Even if you are sick, however the laws protect you in the following ways.

Coverage under your group health plan (if your employer offers one) cannot be denied or limited, nor can you be required to pay more, because of your health status. This is called nondiscrimination.

All group health plans in Mississippi must limit exclusion of pre-existing conditions. There are rules about when a pre-existing condition exclusion period can be applied and how long you must wait before a new group health plan will begin to pay for care for that condition. Generally, if you join a new group health plan, your old coverage will be credited toward the pre-existing condition exclusion period, provided you did not have a long break in coverage.

Your health insurance cannot be canceled because you get sick. Most health insurance is guaranteed renewable.

If you leave your job, you may be able to remain in your old group health plan for a certain length of time. This is called COBRA or state continuation coverage. It can help when you are between jobs or waiting for a new health plan to cover your pre-existing condition. There are limits on what you can be charged for this coverage.

If you lose your group health plan and meet other qualifications, you will be HIPAA eligible. If so, you can buy an individual health insurance policy from the Mississippi Comprehensive Health Insurance Risk Pool Association (MCHIRPA). You will not face a new pre-existing condition exclusion period. There are limits on what you can be charged for an MCHIRPA policy.

If you are not HIPAA eligible and you have difficulty obtaining affordable individual health insurance because of your health condition, you may also be eligible for MCHIRPA coverage. In this case you may face a new pre-existing condition exclusion period. There are limits on what you can be charged for an MCHIRPA policy.

If you are a small employer buying a group health plan policy for a group of 1-50, you cannot be turned down because of the health status, age, or any factor that might predict the use of health services of those in your group. All health plans for small employers must be sold on a guaranteed issue basis. However, the insurance carrier can turn you down if your small business does not meet the participation or contribution requirements.

If you are a small employer buying a group health plan policy, you can be charged more, within limits, based on the health status, age, gender, and other factors of those in your group. Even with these limits, however, premiums can be significantly higher if someone in your group has a serious health condition.

If you have low or modest household income, you may be eligible for free or subsidized health coverage for yourself or members of your family. The Mississippi Medicaid program offers free health coverage for pregnant women, families with children, and elderly and disabled individuals with very low incomes.

If your children are 18 years old or younger, do not have health insurance and meet other qualifications, you may be able to buy insurance for them through the Mississippi Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

If you believe you may be at risk for breast or cervical cancer but are uninsured or underinsured, you may be eligible for free screening and treatment. The Mississippi Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program provides qualified women with free breast and cervical cancer screening. Some women diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer through this program may be eligible for medical care through Medicaid.

If you lost your health insurance and are receiving benefits from the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) Program, you may be eligible for a federal income tax credit to help you pay for new health coverage. This credit is called the Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC), and is equal to 65% of the cost of qualified coverage, including COBRA.

If you are a retiree aged 55-65 and receiving benefits through Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC), then you may be eligible for the HCTC.