Mississippi CHIP: Children's Health Insurance Program
Updated August 2026
Mississippi CHIP is designed for children whose family income is too high for standard Medicaid but who cannot afford private insurance. Mississippi's Medicaid income limits for children vary by age — 194% FPL for infants under age 1, 143% FPL for ages 1–6, and 133% FPL for ages 6–19. CHIP covers uninsured children up to age 19 with family income up to 209% FPL (effective March 1, 2026, per the Mississippi Division of Medicaid).
209% FPL
Mississippi CHIP income limit
Mississippi CHIP
Program name
1-800-421-2408
DOM phone line
Mississippi has a CHIP program covering uninsured children up to 209% FPL — apply through DOM
Mississippi has a Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) under Title XXI of the Social Security Act, administered by the Division of Medicaid (DOM). CHIP covers uninsured children under 19 whose family income is above the applicable Medicaid threshold but at or below 209% of the Federal Poverty Level. One application covers both Medicaid and CHIP.
Who qualifies for Mississippi CHIP?
- Child must be under age 19
- Family income above the applicable Mississippi Medicaid threshold for the child's age (133%–194% FPL) and at or below 209% FPL for CHIP
- Child must be a Mississippi resident
- Child must be a U.S. citizen or lawfully present immigrant
- Child must be uninsured or have recently lost coverage
- Child must not be eligible for employer-sponsored coverage at a cost considered affordable under federal guidelines
What Mississippi CHIP covers
Mississippi CHIP provides comprehensive child health benefits. Per CMS CHIP requirements and DOM benefit documentation, coverage includes:
- Well-child preventive care and immunizations
- Primary care and specialist visits
- Hospital care — inpatient and outpatient
- Prescription drug coverage
- Emergency and urgent care
- Dental services (comprehensive)
- Vision care — exams and corrective lenses
- Mental health and behavioral health services
- Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy when medically necessary
- Lab tests and diagnostic imaging
Cost sharing for Mississippi CHIP
Federal CHIP rules allow states to charge modest premiums and copayments for children in the CHIP income range. Under 42 USC 1397cc, total annual cost sharing cannot exceed 5% of family income. Families at or below 150% FPL cannot be charged premiums. Mississippi's CHIP cost-sharing structure follows these federal limits.
Contact DOM at 1-800-421-2408 for current premium and copayment amounts, since these are updated periodically and may be subject to change. Missing a premium payment can result in coverage termination — contact DOM immediately if you fall behind.
How to apply
Apply for Mississippi CHIP through the same application as Medicaid. DOM determines which program applies based on family income. You do not need to know in advance whether your child will qualify for Medicaid or CHIP — a single application at medicaid.ms.gov covers both.
Mississippi has 30 regional offices where staff can process applications in person and assist with document verification. For phone applications or questions, call 1-800-421-2408.
What CHIP is nationally
CHIP — the Children's Health Insurance Program — is a federal-state partnership that covers children in families whose income is too high for Medicaid but too low to afford private insurance. Congress created CHIP in 1997 under Title XXI of the Social Security Act. Like Medicaid, CHIP is jointly funded by the federal government and each state, and each state administers its own program.
CHIP serves children up to age 19 (some states cover to 21 for children in foster care). It is not available to adults — CHIP is specifically designed to address the coverage gap for children in working families. Nationally, CHIP covers approximately 7 million children, according to CMS data.
Mississippi Medicaid
- Mississippi Division of Medicaid: medicaid.ms.gov
- DOM phone line: 1-800-421-2408
- DOM regional office locator: medicaid.ms.gov/about/office-locations
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