The Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansion plan has been offered to all 50 states including Mississippi since the Affordable Care Act was signed into law in 2010. The ACA Medicaid expansion program aims to help more people receive medical benefits to keep them in good health. The plan has the potential to help millions of Americans but each state can choose to adopt or opt out of the program. This leaves many residents applying to the Medicaid program wondering, “What is the Obamacare Medicaid expansion?” and “Can I fill out an Affordable Care Act Medicaid application in Mississippi?” when they first learn of the expansion. When enacted, the Affordable Care Act Medicaid eligibility requirements will augment older Medicaid guidelines. To find out what is the expansion of Medicaid and if Mississippi enacted it, review the information below.

Learn About the ACA Medicaid Expansion in Mississippi

The Affordable Care Act expansion will increase the number of people who can receive the benefits of the Medicaid program . As a result, the ACA Medicaid expansion cost to states can be too great to institute the expansion in certain populations. State officials evaluate Obamacare Medicaid expansion details before making a decision on the topic. While there is federal funding for the program, the states with the expanded Medicaid program will have to support some of its costs. While 31 states and Washington D.C. have adopted the ACA Medicaid expansion, 19 states have rejected it including Mississippi. The Mississippi Affordable Care Act expansion of Medicaid was not put in place mainly because of the financial issues surrounding the expansion. Lawmakers in Mississippi considered the expanded eligibility a potential drain on state resources.

Find out about the current Medicaid requirements to receive health care coverage in our free guide.

What does opting out of the Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansion mean for Mississippi?

Since the ACA Medicaid expansion was not passed in Mississippi, the Medicaid eligibility requirements will not change. The ACA Medicaid eligibility requirements were not put into place, meaning the eligibility standards of the current Medicaid program are still being used. The Obamacare expansion of Medicaid would have helped low-income adults without children receive medical benefits. The Mississippi Medicaid system still covers low-income children, families, pregnant women and senior citizens as well as those who have a disability. The expansion of Medicaid will not affect anyone who is currently on Medicaid benefits, even if Mississippi accepts the expansion plan later.

While many residents wanted the Obamacare expansion to pass in Mississippi, the state budget may not have been able to cover the ACA Medicaid expansion cost to the state. While uninsured rates and the amount of unpaid medical bills does go down when a state implements the expansion, some states will have to pay billions of dollars to keep the program functioning. Lawmakers are concerned about the financial consequences that might come for states that are not financially prepared for the expansion.

Will Mississippi ever expand its Medicaid program?

It is possible for any state to accept the Affordable Care Act expansion of Medicaid at any time, but it does not seem likely that Mississippi will change its stance in the near future. While Obamacare Medicaid expansion details increase eligibility by adding to the guidelines, Mississippi has the power to make changes to the existing program. Since Medicaid in Mississippi is partially funded by the federal government, the state program must meet the minimum requirements mandated nationally. However, the state covers the remaining funding and can add covered groups and services that benefit its residents. Changes to MS Medicaid means accommodating more enrollees without the involvement or financial help of the federal government. It is possible that MS lawmakers could make modifications to the existing Medicaid program to expand coverage and lower the number of uninsured residents in the future. In the meantime, anyone can apply for Medicaid with the Mississippi Medicaid application if they meet the program qualifications.

Please note: Medicaid is not the only program that offers medical assistance. If you have been been denied Medicaid benefits , you have other options. Non-Medicaid funded programs can accept those who have been disqualified from the Medicaid program. Likewise, households that do not qualify for Medicaid may still be able to provide health care coverage for children through the state’s Children’s Health Insurance Program.

Learn about your options for receiving Medicaid benefits by downloading our complimentary guide.