In-Home Care in Mississippi

Bordered by the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico, Mississippi is home to a rather large senior population. As of July 2021, more than 483,000 of the state’s nearly 3 million residents were aged 65 and over. It’s not surprising that Mississippi is a popular spot for seniors considering its senior-friendly tax policies. Residents do not pay state taxes on most types of retirement income, including social security payments, pensions and IRA and 401(k) distributions. It’s also home to several fine hospitals, including the Mississippi Baptist Medical Center and North Mississippi Medical Center-Tupelo.

Mississippi offers seniors a variety of care options, including in-home care and home health care. While both care options can enable seniors to remain in their homes longer, in-home care covers non-clinical care services provided by home health aides. Home health care does provide clinical care provided by licensed professionals, such as nurses and therapists. The average cost for both in-home care and home health care in Mississippi is $3,813 per month.

This guide discusses costs associated with in-home care in Mississippi, as well as coverage options through Medicaid and Medicare. It also includes a list of free resources for seniors living in the state.

Mississippi offers some of the lowest in-home care costs in the region and the nation. According to the Genworth Cost of Care Survey, the state’s monthly cost for in-home care averages $3,813. The state’s average monthly in-home care costs are $1,144 lower than the national average of $4,975. Mississippi’s in-home care costs are also $372 per month cheaper than in Arkansas ($4,185) and $763 per month lower than in Tennessee ($4,576). Average in-home care costs in Mississippi are exactly the same as in the neighboring state of Alabama, and they’re just $190 per month higher than in Louisiana ($3,623).

Average in-home care costs in Mississippi vary by location. Both the Gulfport and Hattiesburg areas have average monthly in-home care costs that are higher than the state average. Average monthly in-home care costs in Gulfport ($4,195) are $382 per month higher than the state average of $3,813, whereas average monthly costs in Hattiesburg ($4,004) are $191 higher. On the other hand, average in-home care costs in Jackson ($3,432) are $381 lower per month than the state average.

Despite the difference in the type of care provided, the average monthly cost for in-home care and home health care cost in Mississippi is exactly the same at $3,813. This rate is very affordable when compared to nursing home costs, which average $7,118 per month in Mississippi, $3,305 per month higher than the average in-home care cost. When compared to other types of senior care, such as adult day health care and assisted living, in-home costs are more expensive. The average cost of assisted living in Mississippi is $3,500 per month or $313 cheaper than the average cost of in-home care. Adult day health care is the most affordable senior care option in the state at $1,408 per month, $2,405 lower than in-home care.

Standard Medicaid in Mississippi doesn’t cover the cost of non-clinical care, but it does sometimes cover transportation costs for medical appointments as well as the cost of durable medical equipment, if deemed medically necessary. Mississippi does have a waiver program, called the Elderly and Disabled Waiver, that does cover personal care services.

The fastest and easiest way to apply for Medicaid benefits in Mississippi is through the state’s web portal Access.ms.gov. You can also download and print an application or request one by mail by calling (800) 421-248 and then faxing the completed application to (601) 576-4164 or mailing it to:

Mississippi Division of Medicaid
500 High Street, Suite 1000
Jackson, MS 39201

Residents can also stop by one of the 30 regional offices to apply for benefits in person.

What Information You’ll Need

When applying for Medicaid benefits, you’ll need several items, including a driver’s license or state-issued ID card, Social Security number and date of birth for all parties applying for benefits, proof of income and health insurance policy numbers. If you’re also applying for the Elderly and Disabled Waiver Program, you’ll also need proof of all assets.

In general, Medicare does not cover the cost of non-medical home care. That being said, there are situations in which Medicare provides some coverage for medical home care, referred to as “Home Healthcare.” There are several eligibility restrictions for coverage, including that individuals must be homebound and have a referral from their doctor specifically for home healthcare services.

Below is an overview of some of the skilled medical professionals whose in-home services are typically covered by Medicare – for more in-depth information, refer to our Guide to Home Healthcare.

• Physical Therapists: Physical therapy is used to help patients recover from injuries (broken bones, knee injuries, etc.), treat ongoing conditions such as arthritis, and assist in recovery from surgeries and procedures such as a knee or hip replacement.
• Visiting Nurses: Licensed nurses can provide a number of medical services for those who don’t need to stay in the hospital, but do need regular medical services such as wound care, changing feeding tubes, etc.
• Occupational Therapists: Occupational therapists help seniors regain or maintain the ability to accomplish normal, daily tasks, such as bathing, dressing, eating, and other daily activities.
• Speech Therapists: Speech therapists help seniors who are struggling to adequately communicate due to a stroke, dementia, or any other cause regain the ability to functionally communicate using a variety of means. Additionally, speech therapists help to keep seniors independent by modifying diets, teaching special techniques to swallow safely, and retraining associated muscles.

As mentioned above, in-home care is distinctly different from home healthcare. But, there can be some overlap in services between the two types of care. So, while Medicare doesn’t cover non-medical in-home care, there are in-home care services that may be covered in special circumstances when they’re provided in conjunction with home healthcare (such as an occupational therapist helping with eating or dressing)

To find quality home care providers near you, simply input the zip code or city where you would like to start your search. We have an extensive directory of home care agencies all across the nation that includes in-depth information about each provider and hundreds of thousands of reviews from seniors and their loved ones.