Mississippi Cliff Calculator — 2026 ACA Subsidy

By Severance Calculator Editorial · Updated

Mississippi Marketplace: HealthCare.gov

Mississippi uses a federally-facilitated marketplace (FFM) called HealthCare.gov. Mississippi residents enroll at HealthCare.gov.

Medicaid in Mississippi: Mississippi Medicaid (MississippiCAN = MCO delivery)

Mississippi has not expanded Medicaid under the ACA. Adults above the pre-ACA income limit and below 100% FPL may fall into a coverage gap — they earn too little to qualify for marketplace subsidies (which start at 100% FPL) but do not qualify for Medicaid.

2026 SLCSP Benchmark Premiums (Mississippi)

Statewide average monthly second-lowest-cost Silver plan (SLCSP) premiums by age. Actual premiums vary by rating area.

Age2130405060
Monthly SLCSP$480$544$612$855$1,300

2026 ACA Cliff Thresholds by Household Size (Mississippi)

MAGI above these amounts zeros out the federal Premium Tax Credit. FPL region: contiguous48.

Household size12345
400% FPL cliff$62,600$84,600$106,600$128,600$150,600

Key Facts: Mississippi ACA

Mississippi is one of approximately 10 states that has not expanded Medicaid under the ACA, creating a coverage gap for adults earning between 100% and 138% of the federal poverty level. These individuals earn too much to qualify for traditional Mississippi Medicaid (which covers only children, pregnant women, parents with very low incomes, and people with disabilities) but too little to receive meaningful federal Premium Tax Credits.

Mississippi's coverage gap is substantial relative to its population size. The state has some of the lowest median household incomes in the country, meaning a higher share of residents fall near or within the gap income range. Mississippi has not pursued any state subsidy backfill for 2026, and the federal enhanced PTCs under the American Rescue Plan expired December 31, 2025.

Mississippi residents use HealthCare.gov (FFM) for marketplace enrollment. MississippiCAN is the managed care delivery system for Mississippi Medicaid recipients. Mississippi's SLCSP premiums are among the highest in the Southeast at $480/mo for a 21-year-old, reflecting a less competitive insurance market.

Calculate your Mississippi ACA cliff

Inputs default to Mississippi; adjust to your household specifics. Cliff = $62,600 (HH=1) / $128,600 (HH=4).

Your situation

Member ages
self

Coverage

Income

You're under the cliff

100%138%200%300%400%

You are at 319% of the federal poverty level.

Annual PTC
$2,364
$197 / month
MAGI headroom before cliff
$12,600
until you hit 400% FPL

PTC dollar values use a state-level SLCSP estimate; verify your exact second-lowest-cost Silver plan on healthcare.gov for your zip.

Primary Sources

  1. KFF — The Coverage Gap: Uninsured Poor Adults in Non-Expansion States
    “97% of those in the coverage gap live in the South.”

FAQ — Mississippi ACA Cliff

What is the 2026 ACA subsidy cliff in Mississippi?
For a household of 1, MAGI above $62,600 (400% of the 2025 FPL contiguous-48 base) zeros out the federal Premium Tax Credit under IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-25. Household of 4: $128,600. Mississippi has no state subsidy backfill, so crossing this threshold eliminates all premium assistance.
What is the coverage gap in Mississippi?
Adults earning between 100% and 138% FPL ($15,650–$20,997 for a single adult in 2026) in Mississippi face a coverage gap. Mississippi has not expanded Medicaid, so they don't qualify for Mississippi Medicaid. Federal PTCs technically start at 100% FPL, but for those below 100% FPL there is no subsidized option. Mississippi's low median income means a significant share of the population is near this threshold.
How do I enroll in marketplace coverage in Mississippi?
Mississippi uses HealthCare.gov (the federal FFM marketplace). Open enrollment runs November 1 through January 15. Mississippi has no state-run marketplace. You can also apply for Mississippi Medicaid through the Division of Medicaid at medicaid.ms.gov.
Does Mississippi have a state subsidy on top of the federal PTC?
No. Mississippi has no state-funded premium subsidy backfill for 2026. Residents rely entirely on federal APTC, which ends above 400% FPL. The American Rescue Plan enhanced PTCs expired December 31, 2025.
Who qualifies for Mississippi Medicaid?
Mississippi Medicaid covers children, pregnant women, parents with very low incomes, people with disabilities, and elderly low-income individuals. Mississippi has not expanded Medicaid, so non-disabled adults without dependent children generally do not qualify regardless of income — leaving many working poor adults without a Medicaid pathway.
How is SLCSP calculated for Mississippi?
The 2026 statewide SLCSP age-band averages for Mississippi are: Age 21: $480/mo, Age 30: $544/mo, Age 40: $612/mo, Age 50: $855/mo, Age 60: $1,300/mo. Mississippi has among the higher SLCSP premiums in the Southeast, reflecting limited insurer competition. Your specific county may vary ±20–30%.
Can I reduce my MAGI to stay below the 2026 cliff in Mississippi?
Yes — common strategies include maximizing HSA contributions, deductible IRA or SEP-IRA/Solo 401(k) contributions if self-employed, harvesting capital losses, and deferring Roth conversions. Because Mississippi has no state subsidy above 400% FPL, staying below the federal cliff has full dollar impact.

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