Does Medicaid Cover Pregnancy in Mississippi?
Yes. If you are pregnant and live in Mississippi, you can get Medicaid coverage for your entire pregnancy and for 12 months after your baby is born, as long as your household income is under 194% of the federal poverty level. For a single woman expecting one baby, that works out to roughly $3,589 a month in gross income under the 2026 limits. If you are under 19, you qualify no matter what your family earns.
Many women in Mississippi don’t realize this. Mississippi never expanded Medicaid, so if you’re a working adult without kids, you’ve probably been told you make too much or don’t fit a category. Pregnancy changes that. The moment you’re pregnant, you fall into one of the most generous eligibility groups the state has.
If you just found out you’re pregnant and money is the first thing that scares you, this page walks through what Medicaid actually covers, whether you qualify, and how to get coverage started before your application is even approved.
Who qualifies for pregnancy Medicaid in Mississippi?
The Mississippi Division of Medicaid sets the income limit for pregnant women at 194% of the federal poverty level. The exact dollar amounts changed on March 1, 2026, and they depend on your household size.
Here’s the part that trips people up: your unborn baby counts as a member of your household. If you’re pregnant with one baby and live alone, Medicaid treats you as a household of two. If you’re pregnant and already have one child at home, you’re a household of three.
2026 monthly income limits for pregnant women (gross income, before taxes):
| Household size (including the baby you’re expecting) | Monthly income limit |
| 2 | $3,589 |
| 3 | $4,531 |
| 4 | $5,473 |
| 5 | $6,415 |
| 6 | $7,357 |
These figures come directly from the Mississippi Division of Medicaid and already include the 5% income disregard the state applies. A few other things to know:
- Pregnant minors under 19 qualify regardless of their parents’ income.
- There is no asset test. Owning a car or having some savings does not disqualify you.
- You must be a Mississippi resident and a U.S. citizen or qualified immigrant.
- Income is counted using IRS rules (Modified Adjusted Gross Income), so it’s based on your taxable income, not your take-home pay after deductions.
If your income is close to the line, apply anyway. The Medicaid specialist will make the determination, and you have nothing to lose by asking.
What does Mississippi Medicaid cover during pregnancy?
Pregnancy Medicaid is full Medicaid coverage, not a limited pregnancy-only plan. Once approved, you’re covered for:
- Prenatal visits, lab work, and ultrasounds
- Prescriptions, including prenatal vitamins
- Labor and delivery, including hospital costs
- Care for complications, high-risk pregnancy monitoring, and emergency visits
- Dental and mental health services
- Postpartum care for a full 12 months after delivery
That last point matters. Mississippi passed a law in 2023 extending postpartum coverage from 60 days to a full year. The year after birth is when many serious health problems show up, and you don’t have to worry about losing coverage while you recover.
Your baby is covered too. Any child born to a mother on Medicaid is automatically enrolled for the first year of life. You don’t have to file a separate application for the baby.
You can get prenatal care before your application is approved
This is the newest piece and the one most women haven’t heard of.
Mississippi now offers something called Presumptive Eligibility for Pregnant Women, often shortened to PEPW. It allows a qualified provider to sign you up for temporary Medicaid on the spot, based on your word about your income, so you can start prenatal visits immediately while your full application is being processed. You don’t need pay stubs or documents to get the temporary coverage.
Here’s how it works:
- You visit a participating provider (most county health departments participate, along with some OB/GYN offices and community health centers).
- Staff there ask a few questions about your household and income and enroll you in temporary coverage the same day.
- That coverage pays for outpatient prenatal care until your full Medicaid application is decided.
- You must submit a full Medicaid application before the end of your second month of temporary coverage, or it ends.
The law took effect in 2025 after receiving federal approval. As of early 2026, roughly 300 Mississippi women had used it, which means the vast majority of women who qualify still don’t know it exists. If you’re pregnant, uninsured, and worried about waiting weeks for approval, ask your provider about presumptive eligibility by name.
How to apply for pregnancy Medicaid in Mississippi
You can apply four ways:
Online. The fastest option is the state portal at access.ms.gov. You can also apply through HealthCare.gov and the application will be routed to Mississippi Medicaid.
By phone. Call the Division of Medicaid at 800-421-2408 during business hours.
In person. The Hattiesburg regional office is at 6971 Lincoln Road Extension, Hattiesburg, MS 39402 (601-264-5386). It serves Forrest, Lamar, and Perry counties. Staff can help you fill out the application and upload documents.
By mail or fax. Download the MAGI application from medicaid.ms.gov (a Spanish version is available), fill it out, and send it to P.O. Box 2222, Jackson, MS 39225, or fax it to 601-576-4164.
What to have ready:
- Social Security numbers and dates of birth for everyone applying
- Your most recent pay stubs or last year’s W-2 (or a statement of income if you’re self-employed or paid in cash)
- Information about any health insurance you currently have
- Your address and a phone number where Medicaid can reach you
You may also be asked to confirm that you are pregnant and your estimated due date. A pregnancy test and ultrasound from a clinic can help with this.
The Division of Medicaid reports an average processing time of about 16 days, though it can take longer if information is missing. If you haven’t heard anything after 45 days, call the regional office and the state contact center to check the status.
What if you make too much for Medicaid?
If your household is above 194% of the poverty level, you still have options.
The federal Marketplace at HealthCare.gov offers income-based subsidies that can bring premiums down significantly. One important note: pregnancy itself doesn’t open a special enrollment window in Mississippi, but the birth of your baby does. If you’re outside open enrollment, look into whether you qualify for a plan through your employer or your partner’s employer.
Your baby may still qualify for coverage even if you don’t. Children’s Medicaid and CHIP in Mississippi cover kids in households up to 209% of the poverty level, which is a higher limit than the one for pregnant women.
And regardless of insurance, Hope Clinic’s services are free. Nobody is turned away because of income or coverage.
How Hope Clinic can help
Hope Clinic is a medical clinic in Hattiesburg that serves women facing pregnancy at no cost. If you’re trying to sort out Medicaid, we can help you take the first steps:
- Free pregnancy testing to confirm your pregnancy.
- Free limited ultrasound to confirm that the pregnancy is in the uterus, check for a heartbeat, and estimate how far along you are. This is useful for your own peace of mind and for your Medicaid paperwork.
- A confidential conversation with our nurses about your options, your health, and what comes next.
- Practical support and referrals for prenatal care, community resources, and our parenting program.
Hope Clinic is not a Medicaid office, and we don’t make eligibility decisions. What we can do is make sure you walk into that process knowing you’re pregnant, knowing how far along you are, and knowing what to ask for.
Hope Clinic does not provide or refer for abortions. Everything we offer is free and confidential.
Hope Clinic 808 S. 28th Ave, Hattiesburg, MS 39402 Call: 601-264-2181 Text: 669-500-TEST (8378) Hours: Monday through Thursday 9 am to 4 pm, Friday 9 am to 12 pm
This article is for general information and reflects Mississippi Medicaid policy as of August 2026. Income limits and program rules change. For eligibility decisions, contact the Mississippi Division of Medicaid at 800-421-2408 or visit medicaid.ms.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can I make and still get Medicaid while pregnant in Mississippi?
Under the 2026 limits, a pregnant woman counts as a household of at least two (you plus the baby). A household of two can earn up to $3,589 a month before taxes. A household of three can earn up to $4,531, and a household of four up to $5,473. If you’re under 19, your family’s income doesn’t matter.
Does the baby count toward my household size?
Yes. Mississippi Medicaid adds the number of babies you’re expecting to your household size when checking income. A single woman pregnant with one baby is a household of two.
How long does pregnancy Medicaid last in Mississippi?
Coverage lasts through your entire pregnancy and for 12 months after your baby is born. Mississippi extended postpartum coverage from 60 days to a full year in 2023.
Will my baby be covered?
Yes. Any baby born to a mother enrolled in Medicaid is automatically covered for the first year of life without a separate application.
Can I see a doctor before my Medicaid application is approved?
Yes. Mississippi’s Presumptive Eligibility for Pregnant Women program lets a participating provider, such as a county health department or community health center, enroll you in temporary coverage the same day so you can start prenatal care while your full application is pending. You need to submit the full application before the end of your second month of temporary coverage.
How long does it take to get approved?
The Division of Medicaid reports an average of about 16 days, but it can take longer if paperwork is incomplete. Applying online through access.ms.gov and uploading your documents at the same time is the fastest route.
Do I need proof of pregnancy to apply?
You’ll be asked to state that you’re pregnant and give your due date. Some offices or providers may ask for confirmation. Hope Clinic offers free pregnancy testing and a limited ultrasound that can help with this.
Where is the Medicaid office in Hattiesburg?
The Hattiesburg regional office is at 6971 Lincoln Road Extension, Hattiesburg, MS 39402. The phone number is 601-264-5386. It serves Forrest, Lamar, and Perry counties.
Does Hope Clinic take Medicaid?
Hope Clinic’s services are free for everyone, so you don’t need Medicaid or any insurance to be seen. We don’t bill Medicaid and we don’t process Medicaid applications, but we can help you get the pregnancy confirmation you need and point you to the right office.
Everything is free and confidential.
This article is for general educational purposes and is not medical or legal advice. Laws change. Verify current Mississippi law with a licensed attorney and discuss your health with a qualified medical provider. Hope Clinic does not provide or refer for abortions.
