Mississippi
According to America’s Health Rankings by the United Health Foundation, Mississippi ranked 3rd among states with the least health disparity that is based on educational background. Mississippi also excelled in reducing its incidence of binge drinking. By doing so, the state made it to the fifth place for lowest percentage of binge drinking among adults.
However, Mississippi ended up in the last place of America’s Health Rankings in 2013. Obesity has a very significant impact on the state. With a 35.4% obese population, Mississippi had the highest rate of obesity among states, according to a Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index. This also meant that one in three residents were obese. Unhealthy dietary habits and a sedentary lifestyle, known to be embedded in Mississippi’s culture, are the leading causes of obesity in the state.
Based on data from County Health Rankings, the Mississippi counties with the highest health outcomes in 2013 were DeSoto, Lamar, and Lafayette.
Cost of Care
Below are the average daily cost* of long-term care services in Mississippi.
| City | Nursing Facility1 | Assisted Living1 | Adult Day Care2 | Home Health Aide3 |
| Columbus | $207 | $84 | N/A | N/A |
| Jackson | $192 | N/A | $65 | $102 |
Notes:
*Costs are rounded to the nearest whole dollar.
1Daily average for a private room.
2Based on five days of care per week.
3Based on six hours of care per day, five days per week.
Insurance Options
By the end of April 2013, John Hancock started notifying its long-term care insurance policyholders in Mississippi about in-force rate changes. The insurance carrier’s Custom Care, Essential Care, Custom Care II, and Essential Care II products saw approval for increase in their rates.
Similarly, Genworth sent newer Guaranty Association Notices to its LTCI policyholders who reside in Mississippi and five other states in July 2013. State-specific regulation determined the mailing procedures.
On October 12, 2013, MedAmerica enacted modifications to its FlexCare long-term care insurance policy. These modifications affected the rates of preferred health and marital discounts.
Along with these insurers, Allianz Life, American General Life, Equitable Life and Casualty, Great American Life, Mutual of Omaha, Physicians Mutual, State Farm, and Transamerica offer LTCI coverage to Mississippi residents.
State Long-Term Care Programs
The Medicare government program insures senior citizens and people with serious ailments for services in nursing facilities or home health care. In 2012, every Medicare client in Mississippi had access to a Medicare Advantage plan without premium charges.
Aside from nursing facility and home health services, Medicaid also covers medications, laboratory services, therapy, and durable medical equipment. According to an economic study on Medicaid expansion, Mississippi’s expenditure for this initiative might amount between $497 million and $556 million from 2014 to 2025.
The state has a Medicaid Management Information System called Mississippi Envision, which received certification from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in 2003. The MississippiCAN Program, or MSCAN, provides health services to working individuals ages 19 to 65 who have disabilities. MSCAN operates under the Mississippi Division of Medicaid.
This division also supervises other long term care programs, including the Long Term Care Transition to Community Referral and the Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities.
More Resources
To get more specific information regarding long term care services and insurance options in Mississippi, please check the following websites:
Provides a state directory of various LTC facilities according to category.
Mississippi Health Care Association
Helps locate assisted living and nursing facilities. Offers a checklist for nursing facility evaluation.
Compare Plan Options in Mississippi
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