How to Renew Mississippi Medicaid
Updated August 2026
The Division of Medicaid (DOM) first attempts ex parte renewal — using data from SSA, the IRS, and state agencies to confirm you still qualify without requiring you to submit paperwork. If ex parte renewal succeeds, your coverage renews automatically and you receive a confirmation notice. No action required.
Annual
Renewal frequency
MESA portal
Online renewal portal
10 days
Deadline to report changes
Keep your address current with DOM to receive renewal notices
Mississippi Medicaid eligibility is reviewed every 12 months. DOM sends renewal notices by mail to the address on file. If your address is wrong or you miss the notice, coverage can be terminated even if you still qualify. Renew through the MESA member portal at portal.ms-medicaid-mesa.com, by calling 1-800-421-2408, or by visiting your local DOM regional office.
How Mississippi Medicaid renewal works
When DOM cannot confirm eligibility through data alone, it sends a renewal notice asking you to verify your current income, household, and residency. Under 42 CFR 435.916, you have at least 30 days to respond. If you do not respond, coverage terminates. Per KFF analysis of state renewal data, procedural terminations — where coverage ends due to administrative reasons rather than ineligibility — accounted for the majority of disenrollments during the 2023-2024 post-pandemic unwinding period across states, and Mississippi was no exception.
How to complete your renewal
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1
Update your address and phone
DOM sends renewal notices by mail. An outdated address means you never see the packet. Update through MESA or by calling 1-800-421-2408.
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2
Open all mail from DOM
Renewal packets may look like generic government correspondence. Open them.
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3
Review and complete the renewal form
Confirm that household members, income, and residency information are still accurate.
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4
Provide documentation if requested
Common requests: recent pay stubs, residency documentation, or verification of a household change.
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5
Submit by the deadline on the notice
Submit online through the MESA portal (typically the fastest option), call 1-800-421-2408, mail in your completed packet, or visit a regional office. Keep a copy of what you submitted.
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6
Watch for a coverage decision
If coverage is renewed, you receive a confirmation. If terminated, you receive a notice with appeal rights.
Renewal checklist and changes to report
Report any household changes to DOM within 10 days — do not wait for renewal. This annual review is also known as recertification or redetermination.
- Verify your current mailing address with DOM — this is the most important step
- Set up a MESA portal account to receive electronic notifications in addition to mail
- Have income documentation ready: recent pay stubs or tax return for self-employment
- Report household changes (birth, death, marriage, divorce, members moving in/out) within 10 days
- If you received a notice but your circumstances have not changed, complete the renewal form and submit it anyway — silence leads to termination
- If your income dropped significantly during the year, report it to potentially increase your benefits or qualify for retroactive coverage
- If you lost coverage in the past 90 days and believe you still qualify, contact DOM about reinstatement
What to do if coverage is terminated
You have the right to a fair hearing if Mississippi Medicaid terminates or reduces your coverage. Request a hearing within 90 days of the termination notice. If you request a hearing within 10 days of the notice and coverage is still active, you may be entitled to continue receiving services while the appeal is pending (known as "aid paid pending").
Mississippi Center for Justice provides free legal assistance for Medicaid appeals: mscenterforjustice.org or (601) 352-2269. You can also request help at any DOM regional office or call 1-800-421-2408 to be connected with the appeals process.
If your renewal is denied
A denial must state the reason in writing and explain your right to appeal. You have 90 days from the date of the notice to request a fair hearing. File the appeal quickly — if you appeal before your coverage ends, you may be able to continue coverage during the appeal period, though this depends on timing and the reason for denial.
Common renewal denials include: income that increased above the threshold, failure to respond to the renewal packet, a change in household size that affects eligibility, or immigration status questions.
Mississippi Medicaid
- Division of Medicaid renewal line: 1-800-421-2408
- Online renewal portal (MESA): portal.ms-medicaid-mesa.com
- Division of Medicaid website: medicaid.ms.gov
- Mississippi Center for Justice (appeals help): mscenterforjustice.org / (601) 352-2269