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Key Points
- Uninsurance rates slightly decreased from 2022 to 2023 for Mississippi adults, aged 19-64 years.
- Public insurance rates slightly increased from 2022 to 2023 for Mississippi adults, aged 19-64 years.
- In 2023, uninsurance rates were higher for Mississippi non-elderly adults than the national average rate.
- Statewide trends show a decrease in uninsurance rates and an increase in private healthcare coverage rates.
- Compared to other adult age groups in Mississippi, young adults, aged 19-25 years, had the highest rates of uninsurance.
- Almost two-thirds of Mississippi young adults, aged 19-25 years, are insured through private healthcare coverage.
- From 2017 to 2023, there was a steady decrease in uninsurance rates for Mississippi young adults, ages 19-25 years.
- Nearly two-thirds of Mississippi adults, ages 26-44 years, had employee-sponsored and/or military-sponsored healthcare coverage.
- Mississippi adults, ages 46 to 64 years, had the lowest levels of uninsurance when compared to other age groups.
- Private healthcare coverage rates have steadily increased for adults, ages 46-64 years, since 2018.
- In 2023, over one-third of the state’s Hispanic population and almost one-fifth of the state’s Native American population were uninsured.
- Mississippi adults with the lowest levels of education experienced both the highest rates of public healthcare coverage and uninsurance rates.
- From 2022 to 2023, the number of adults below 401% FPL who were uninsured decrease by 15,000.
- Adults working part time, those with and without children, had the highest uninsurance rates.
Source
Researchers from the State Health Access Data Assistance Center (SHADAC) at the University of Minnesota compiled Mississippi data from the 2022 and 2023 United States Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS) at the request of the Center for Mississippi Health Policy. The ACS asks a representative sample of households about their health insurance coverage. This chartbook summarizes the responses provided by non-elderly (19 through 64 years of age) Mississippi adults. Data found at Integrated Public Use Microdata Series (IPUMS) (https://usa.ipums.org/usa/index.shtml).
This chartbook also includes a summary of the responses provided by Mississippi employers who were asked about health insurance offered
in 2023. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) conducts the survey, known as the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS). This chartbook is available at www.mshealthpolicy.com.
Distribution by type of coverage
Mississippi Adults, 19-64 Years of Age | Data Range: 2022 – 2023
Uninsurance Rates Slightly Decreased in 2023.
Public Insurance Rates Slightly Increased in 2023.
Most non-elderly adult Mississippians’ private insurance coverage is obtained via employment-based and military plans (60.6%). The remaining plans are privately purchased (8.9%).
Non-elderly adults are more likely to be uninsured than children or the elderly due to eligibility standards for public programs.
In 2023, almost the same number of adults were uninsured as there were adults with public healthcare coverage.
Health Coverage Comparison, United States Versus Mississippi
Mississippi Adults, 19-64 Years of Age | Data Range: 2022 – 2023
In 2023 Uninsurance Rates Were Higher For Mississippi Non-Elderly Adults Than The National Average.
In 2023, the uninsurance rate for Mississippi non-elderly adults was higher than the national average.
For 2023, the rate for public healthcare coverage was less for Mississippi non-elderly adults than the national average.
In 2023, the private healthcare coverage rates, for both employment-based/military and individually purchased insurance plans, were lower for Mississippi non-elderly adults (69.5%) than the national average (72.9%).
Health Coverage Trends By Type
Mississippi adults, 19-64 Years of Age | Data Range: 2014 – 2023
Statewide Trends Show A Decrease In Uninsurance Rates And An Increase In Private Healthcare Coverage Rates.
For the past four years, statewide trends in uninsurance rates have steadily decreased.
In 2023, the uninsurance rates for non-elderly, adult Mississippians was at an all-time low. Inversely, private healthcare coverage rates (employment-based/military insurance plans and individual, privately purchased insurance plans) were at an all-time high.
| Employment-Based Military | Individually Purchased | Uninsured | Public Coverage | |
| 2014 | 56.1% | 7.2% | 21.5% | 15.2% |
| 2015 | 56.3% | 8.4% | 19.1% | 16.2% |
| 2016 | 58.1% | 8.1% | 17.7% | 16.1% |
| 2017 | 58.2% | 8.1% | 18.2% | 15.5% |
| 2018 | 59.1% | 7.0% | 18.5% | 15.4% |
| 2019 | 58.9% | 6.8% | 19.4% | 15.1% |
| 2020 | — | — | — | — |
| 2021 | 59.1% | 7.6% | 17.6% | 15.7% |
| 2022 | 60.2% | 8.6% | 16.1% | 15.1% |
| 2023 | 60.6% | 8.9% | 15.4% | 15.2% |
Health Coverage by Age Group
Mississippi Adults, 19-64 Years Of Age | Data Range: 2022 – 2023
Compared To Other Adult Age Groups, Young Adults, Aged 19-25 Years, Had The Highest Rates Of Uninsurance.
Uninsurance rates were greatest for adults aged 19-25 years and lowest for adults aged 45-64 years.
In 2023, more Mississippi nonelderly adults used private health insurance plans instead of public health insurance plans.
Out of all age groups, adults aged 45-64 years had the highest rates of public healthcare coverage for both 2022 and 2023.
Distribution of coverage
Mississippi Adults, 19-25 Years Of Age | DATA RANGE: 2022 – 2023
Over Half Of Young Adults, Aged 19-25 Years Old Are Insured Through Private Healthcare Coverage.
In 2023, the majority of young adult Mississippians had private healthcare coverage. Over half of this private healthcare coverage was gained either through employment-based plans or military-based plans. The remainder was composed of privately-purchased plans.
Uninsurance rates slightly increased from 2022 to 2023 for this age group.
In 2023, the rate of uninsurance was greater than the rate of public healthcare coverage.
Health Coverage Trends
Mississippi Adults, 19-25 Years Of Age | Data Range: 2014 – 2023
From 2017 To 2022, There Was A Steady Decrease In Uninsurance Rates, But A Slight Increase In 2023, For Young Adults, Ages 19-25.
In 2023 public healthcare coverage for young Mississippi adults, aged 19-25 years old, slightly declined. The majority of this age group is covered through private health insurance plans.
In both 2022 and 2023, uninsurance rates are much lower than in previous years.
| Private | Uninsured | Public | |
| 2014 | 59.5% | 30.0% | 10.5% |
| 2015 | 62.2% | 25.8% | 11.9% |
| 2016 | 58.1% | 23.1% | 11.6% |
| 2017 | 64.0% | 24.1% | 11.9% |
| 2018 | 65.5% | 23.4% | 11.0% |
| 2019 | 64.7% | 23.9% | 11.4% |
| 2020 | — | — | — |
| 2021 | 64.9% | 20.7% | 14.8% |
| 2022 | 66.5% | 19.2% | 14.3% |
| 2023 | 66.1% | 19.8% | 14.1% |
Distribution of Coverage
Mississippi adults, 26-44 Years of Age | Data Range: 2022 – 2023
Almost 2/3 Of Adults, Ages 26-44, Had Employer-Sponsored And/Or Military Healthcare Coverage.
Since 2019, uninsurance rates have declined for Mississippi non-elderly adults aged 26-44 years old.
For this age group there was also an increase in employment-based and military-based private healthcare coverage during this time. More than half of the adults in this age group were covered by employment/military-based health insurance during both years.
Both public healthcare coverage rates and privately purchased healthcare coverage experienced slight growth during 2023.
Health Coverage Trends
Mississippi Adults, 26-44 Years Of Age | Data Range: 2014 – 2023
Uninsurance Rates Have Decreased By 6.2% For Adults, Aged 26-44 Years Old, Since The ACA Was Adopted In 2014.
In 2021, private healthcare coverage rates for non-elderly Mississippi adults were higher than what they were before Mississippi’s adoption of the ACA in 20141.
Uninsurance rates for non-elderly Mississippi adults aged 26-44 years have also decreased greatly when compared to 2014 rates.
Over the past decade, the average public healthcare coverage rates for this age group has been 12.7%.
| Private | Uninsured | Public | |
| 2014 | 63.1% | 24.1% | 12.8% |
| 2015 | 64.6% | 21.6% | 13.8% |
| 2016 | 66.3% | 20.0% | 13.7% |
| 2017 | 66.4% | 20.8% | 12.8% |
| 2018 | 67.1% | 21.1% | 11.7% |
| 2019 | 64.8% | 23.2% | 12.0% |
| 2020 | — | — | — |
| 2021 | 66.2% | 21.7% | 12.1% |
| 2022 | 68.5% | 18.9% | 12.6% |
| 2023 | 69.3% | 17.9% | 12.8% |
Distribution of Coverage
Mississippi Adults, 45-64 Years Of Age | Data Range: 2022 – 2023
Adults, Ages 45 To 64, Had The Lowest Levels Of Uninsurance Compared To Other Age Groups.
In 2023, there was a decrease in uninsurance for Mississippi non-elderly adults aged 45-64 years old. Compared to other adult groups, this age group exhibits the lowest rates of uninsurance.
In 2023, private insurance healthcare coverage and public healthcare coverage rates slightly increased from 2022 for adults 45-64 years of age.
Health Coverage Trends
Mississippi Adults, 45-64 Years Of Age | Data Range: 2014 – 2023
Private Healthcare Coverage Rates Have Steadily Increased For Adults, Ages 46-64, Since 2018.
The uninsurance rates for non-elderly, Mississippi adults, aged 45-64 years old, have steadily declined since 2013. Public healthcare coverage rates for Mississippi adults, ages 46-64, increased slightly but remained lower than coverage rates in 2014, before ACA adoption in Mississippi1. Private healthcare coverage rates have steadily increased since 2018.
| Private | Uninsured | Public | |
| 2014 | 65.0% | 15.7% | 19.3% |
| 2015 | 65.7% | 14.0% | 20.3% |
| 2016 | 66.4% | 13.3% | 20.2% |
| 2017 | 67.1% | 13.4% | 19.5% |
| 2018 | 65.3% | 14.1% | 20.5% |
| 2019 | 66.6% | 14.0% | 19.4% |
| 2020 | — | — | — |
| 2021 | 68.0% | 12.4% | 19.6% |
| 2022 | 69.9% | 12.2% | 18.0% |
| 2023 | 70.9% | 10.7% | 18.4% |
Uninsurance by Race and Ethnicity
Mississippi Adults, 19-64 Years Of Age | Data Range: 2022 – 2023
In 2023, Over One-Third Of The State’s Hispanic Population And Almost One-Fifth Of The Native American Population Were Uninsured.
In 2023, less than half of the uninsured non-elderly adult population in Mississippi identified as “White” (44.8%), closely followed by adults who identified as “Black” (40.5%). The remaining uninsured non-elderly adults identify as “Hispanic” (8.7%),”Other” (5.4%), and “Native American” (0.6%).
The 8.7% uninsured, non-elderly adults, who identified as “Hispanic”, represented 35.3% of the state’s Hispanic population. The 0.6% of the uninsured, non-elderly adults, who identified as “Native American”, represented 19.3%of the state’s Native American population.
Coverage by Educational Level
Mississippi Adults, 19-64 Years of Age | Data Range: 2022 – 2023
Adults With The Lowest Levels Of Education Experienced Both The Highest Rates Of Public Healthcare Coverage & Uninsurance.
Private healthcare coverage rates are least at the lowest level of educational attainment. Inversely, private healthcare coverage rates are greatest at the highest levels of educational attainment. Public healthcare coverage rates also decrease as educational levels increase.
Uninsurance By Federal Poverty Level (FPL)
Mississippi Adults, 19-64 Years Of Age | Data Range: 2022 – 2023
For Both 2022 And 2023, An Inverse Relationship Between Income Levels And Uninsurance Rates.
For 2023, uninsurance rates decreased as income levels increased above 100% FPL. Adults below 100% of the FPL experienced the highest rates of uninsurance. The table below shows the income levels at 138% FPL.
138% FPL INCOME LEVELS, 2022-2023
| Single Person | Family of Four | |
| 2022 | $18,174 | $38,295 |
| 2023 | $20,120 | $41,400 |
Coverage By Federal Poverty Level (FPL)
Mississippi Adults, 19-64 Years of Age | Data Range: 2022 – 2023
From 2022 To 2023, The Amount Of Adults Below 401% FPL Who Were Uninsured Decreased By 15,341.
In 2023, the highest levels of private healthcare coverage were found in non- elderly Mississippi adults whose income levels fit within the 139%-400% FPL bracket.
Meanwhile the highest levels of uninsurance were experienced by adults whose income levels fit into 0-99% FPL bracket. The highest levels of public healthcare coverage could be found within this bracket, as well.
Number of Uninsured by Federal Poverty Level (FPL)
Mississippi Adults, 19-64 Years of Age | Data Range: 2013 – 2023
The Number Of Uninsured Adults Have Decreased By 182,500 Since The Adoption Of The ACA In 2014.
The amount of uninsured non-elderly, Mississippi adults within the 0-99% FPL income bracket in 2023 has decreased by 54% since 2013.
Every year, the number of uninsured adults is highest in the 0-99% FPL income bracket compared to the 100-400%, and >401% FPL brackets. This pattern reflects the trends observed, where we see that lower income levels are associated with higher uninsurance rates.
Coverage At Or Below 138% Federal Poverty Level (FPL)
Mississippi Adults, 19-64 Years of Age | Data Range: 2022 – 2023
At Least One Third Of Mississippi Adults At Or Below 138% FPL Are Covered By Public Health Insurance.
Over A Quarter Of Mississippi Adults At Or Below 138% FPL Are Uninsured.
Since the passage of the Affordable Care Act, states have been granted the option of expanding Medicaid eligibility to individuals with income below 138% FPL. Because of this, it is relevant to view the types of insurance coverage held by adults within this income bracket as it could indicate how many uninsured adults could be impacted should Mississippi choose to expand healthcare coverage under Medicaid.
Uninsurance By Federal Poverty Level (FPL)
Mississippi Adults, 19-64 Years of Age, Parents and Childless | Data Range: 2022 – 2023
Less Than One Third Of Childless Adults At 0-99% FPL Had No Health Insurance.
In 2023, the highest levels of uninsurance were experienced by childless, Mississippi adults in the 0-99% FPL range. The lowest levels of uninsurance were seen amongst parents whose income levels were at or above 401% FPL.
Uninsurance By Employment Category
Mississippi Adults, 19-64 Years of Age | Data Range: 2022 – 2023
In 2023, the highest percentage of uninsurance was experienced by those who listed their occupation as a “cashier” or “laborer”. That is over 13,000 uninsured Mississippi adults being listed in these occupations.
| Uninsured, Non-elderly Mississippi Adults by the Top 20 Occupational Categories, 2022 | Uninsured | |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Count | Percent |
| Cooks | 6,011 | 4.3% |
| Cashiers | 5,385 | 3.8% |
| Construction Laborers | 4,976 | 3.6% |
| Waiters and Waitresses | 4,444 | 3.2% |
| Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers | 3,939 | 2.8% |
| Laborers (Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand) | 3,405 | 2.4% |
| Customer Service Representatives | 2,931 | 2.1% |
| Driver/Sales Workers and Truck Drivers | 2,860 | 2.0% |
| Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | 2,660 | 1.9% |
| Personal Care Aides | 2,546 | 1.8% |
| Retail Salespersons | 2,309 | 1.7% |
| Unemployed (No work experience in he last 5 years or never worked.) | 2,199 | 1.6% |
| Other Assemblers and Fabricators | 2,063 | 1.5% |
| Janitors and Building Cleaners | 2,048 | 1.5% |
| Carpenters | 1,466 | 1.0% |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | 1,444 | 1.0% |
| Food Preparation Workers | 1,390 | 1.0% |
| Nursing Assistants | 1,385 | 1.0% |
| Security Guards and Gambling Surveillance Officers | 1,286 | 0.9% |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | 1,093 | 0.8% |
| Uninsured, Non-elderly Mississippi Adults by the Top 20 Occupational Categories, 2023 | Uninsured | |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Count | Percent |
| Cashiers | 6,970 | 5.3% |
| Laborers (Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand) | 6,411 | 4.9% |
| Unemployed (No work experience in the last 5 years or never worked.) | 3,971 | 3.0% |
| Janitors and Building Cleaners | 3,734 | 2.8% |
| Waiters and Waitresses | 3,622 | 2.7% |
| Cooks | 3,071 | 2.3% |
| Other assemblers and fabricators | 2,929 | 2.2% |
| Landscaping and groundskeeping workers | 2,807 | 2.1% |
| Stockers and order fillers | 2,653 | 2.0% |
| Construction Laborers | 2,519 | 1.9% |
| Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | 2,374 | 1.8% |
| Retail Salespersons | 2,212 | 1.7% |
| Personal care aides | 2,138 | 1.6% |
| Driver/Sales Workers and Truck Drivers | 1,953 | 1.5% |
| Food preparation workers | 1,787 | 1.4% |
| Automotive Service Technicians And Mechanics | 1,626 | 1.2% |
| Line Supervisors Of Retail Sales Workers | 1,535 | 1.2% |
| Security guards and gambling surveillance officers | 1,491 | 1.1% |
| Industrial Truck And Tractor Operators | 1,375 | 1.0% |
| Childcare Workers | 1,372 | 1.0% |
Insurance Status for Employed Adults
Mississippi Adults, 19-64 Years of Age | Data Range: 2022 – 2023
There Are More Mississippi Working Adults Who Lack Healthcare Coverage Than Those Who Have Public Healthcare Coverage.
In 2023, over 80% of Mississippi working adults had private healthcare coverage. Less than 5% of this group had public healthcare coverage, and more than 10% of Mississippi working adults were uninsured.
Insurance Status for Unemployed Adults
Mississippi Adults, 19-64 Years of Age | Data Range: 2022 – 2023
Over One-Fifth Of Unemployed Mississippi Adults Are Uuninsured.
In 2023, over 40% of unemployed Mississippi adults had some kind of public healthcare coverage. Additionally, over a third of this group had some kind of private healthcare coverage. One fifth of this group lacked any kind of healthcare coverage.
Uninsured by Work Status
Mississippi adults, 19-64 Years of Age | Data Range: 2022 – 2023
Almost Half Of Uninsured Mississippi Adults Work Full-Time And Around One-Fifth Work Part-Time.
In 2023, we see almost half of uninsured Mississippi adults are employed full-time and almost one-fifth are employed part-time. Roughly one-third of unemployed Mississippi adults are uninsured.
Health Coverage By Work Status
Mississippi Adults, 19-64 Years of Age, Parents And Childless
Adults Working Part Time, Those With And Without Children, Had The Highest Uninsurance Rates.
In 2023, the highest percentages of uninsured Mississippi adults are those who were working part time. The highest percentage of Mississippi adults covered by private healthcare coverage are those who were working full time. The highest percentage of public healthcare coverage was seen in those who were not working.
Health Insurance Offered To Employees By Employer Size
Private Sector Employers In Mississippi | Data Range: 2022 – 2023
In 2023, Over Half Of Mississippi Employers Offered Health Insurance.
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) conducts an annual Medical Expenditure Survey (MEPS) of employers for health coverage offered. This survey provides relevant data as the majority of Mississippians obtain private coverage through employers.
In 2023, the majority of employers in Mississippi had fewer than 50 employees (the current legal cut-off for requirements to offer health insurance coverage or pay a penalty).
While almost all 50+ employee-sized companies offered private healthcare coverage, the percentage of employers offering healthcare coverage decreases greatly when looking at companies whose size is less than 50 employees.
There is a decline in total employers for 2023, noticeably large employers (50+ employees).*
There is an increase in health insurance coverage for companies with less than 50 employees and less than 10 employees which increased the overall percentage of companies offering health insurance.
*Note, this could be a lack of response or an actual decline. The response rate for the survey has declined since 2021. (Medical Expenditure Panel Survey Insurance Component Response Rates)
Health Insurance Offers & Enrollment
Health Insurance Offers & Enrollment | Data Range: 2008 – 2023
In 2023, more employees were eligible, offered, and enrolled in their companies’ healthcare insurance plans. There is an increase in those who chose family coverage plans.
Chart Source:
Source: Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS). (2008-2023). Insurance Component. Note: No MEPS Data were available in 2007 or 2020. Data points will not total to 100% due to overlap. Numbers have been rounded.
*No MEPS Data were available in 2020. Note: Numbers have been rounded.
Enrollment Rates By Work Status
Mississippi Adults, 19-64 Years Of Age, Parents And Childless | Data Range: 2008 – 2023
In 2023, Enrollment In Employee Based Coverage For Part-Time Employees Reached A Record High For The Past Decade.
For over ten years, there has been a noticeable difference between the full-time, private-sector employees enrollment and the part-time, private-sector employee enrollment. On average, the numbers for full-time employee enrollment in employee-based coverage were ten times greater than part-time employee enrollment numbers.
In 2023, full-time enrollment and part-time enrollment increased.
The MEPS survey definition of a full-time employee is determined by the survey respondent. Glossary indicates FTE of 30 hours according to healthcare.gov (MEPS Insurance Component Glossary of Health Insurance Terms). An employee not defined by the survey respondent as being full-time is classified as part-time.
Annual Premiums & Employee Contributions For Single Coverage
Mississippi Adults, 19-64 Years Of Age, Parents And Childless | Data Range: 2008 – 2023
In 2014, Section 4980H was added to the Code by section 1513 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Public Law 111-148.2 In this section, the “Safe Harbor” Pay Rate is set up to ensure that the the lowest cost self-only coverage that provides the minimum value does not exceed 9.5 percent of the employee’s monthly salary.2 In 2023, the IRS updated the contribution percentage to 9.12%.3 Mississippi’s rate of of employee contribution was 22.5% in 2023. This is over double the affordable threshold set by the ACA’s safe harbor laws.
Annual Premiums & Employee Contributions For Family Coverage
Mississippi Adults, 19-64 Years Of Age, Parents And Childless | Data Range: 2008 – 2023
In 2023, Employee Contribution Rate For Employment-Based Family Healthcare Coverage Was Over 25%.
Annual premiums for family coverage have steadily increased from 2008 to 2023. In 2023 there was a decrease in employee contribution, but an increase in annual premiums. Comparing the annual premium and employee contribution for family coverage, for 2023, the employee contribution is 25.8% of the annual premium, signifying a decline in employee contribution.
Additional Sources
1 Mississippi Insurance Department. (2013) Affordable Care Act: What you Need to Know, Changes Already In Place And Changes Coming In 2014. https://apps.mid.ms.gov/healthcare/aca-what-you-need-to-know.aspx
2 Federal Register. (2014). “Shared Responsibility for Employers Regarding Health Coverage”. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2014/02/12/2014-03082/shared-responsibility-for-employers-regarding-health-coverage
3 Internal Revenue Service. (2022). Internal Revenue Bulletin: 2022-34. https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/rp-22-34.pdf
