Paying for assisted living in Mississippi
Most families in Mississippi pay for assisted living privately at first, usually from savings, retirement income, the proceeds of a home sale, or a long-term care insurance policy. Monthly costs vary widely depending on the community, the size of the apartment, and how much daily help a resident needs. You can compare current pricing for communities across the state in the pricing tables below.
Because assisted living is rarely covered in full by a single program, it helps to understand what public benefits can and cannot do before you commit. The two questions families ask most are whether Mississippi Medicaid will help and whether Medicare pays anything.
Does Mississippi Medicaid cover assisted living in Mississippi?
Mississippi Medicaid can help pay for the care you receive in assisted living through the Assisted Living (AL) Waiver, a Home and Community-Based Services waiver run by the Mississippi Division of Medicaid. Like all Medicaid programs, it never pays for room and board — the rent and meals portion of your monthly bill is still your responsibility.
The waiver covers services such as personal care, medication oversight and administration, case management, homemaker and attendant services, and intermittent skilled nursing, delivered in a licensed Personal Care Home-Assisted Living community that participates in Medicaid.
To qualify, you generally must:
- Need a nursing-facility level of care (a clinical assessment confirms this)
- Be at least 21 years old
- Meet Medicaid's income and asset limits for long-term care
Because the AL Waiver has a limited number of slots, there may be a waiting list. To apply, contact the Mississippi Division of Medicaid (1-800-421-2408) or your regional office.
Does Medicare cover assisted living in Mississippi?
No. Medicare does not pay for assisted living room and board or for the ongoing custodial care (help with bathing, dressing, and other daily activities) that defines assisted living.
Medicare may still cover medically necessary services a resident receives while living there, such as:
- Doctor visits and hospital care
- Short-term skilled nursing or rehabilitation after a qualifying hospital stay
- Physical, occupational, or speech therapy
- Prescription drugs under a Part D plan
For free, unbiased help understanding what your Medicare plan covers, contact Mississippi's State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), run through the MDHS Division of Aging and Adult Services, at 1-844-822-4622.
