Mississippi Nonprofit Awarded Grant to Help Mississippians Maintain Health Insurance Coverage

Assistance Available for ACA Marketplace and Medicaid Recipients

The Mississippi Health Advocacy Program's consumer assistance program, Health Help Mississippi, has been awarded a grant to assist Mississippians with obtaining and maintaining health insurance coverage. The project is funded by a 3 year, $1.2 million grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation of Battle Creek, Michigan and will focus on helping consumers in the Greenville, Hattiesburg, and Jackson areas.
 
As a result of the Affordable Care Act, there has been a significant increase in the number of Mississippians with health insurance.  However, many consumers enrolled in the Health Insurance Marketplace are unfamiliar with the policies and procedures of health insurance coverage.  Health Help Mississippi's project will help these new enrollees by providing them with information about how to best use their coverage and will also help them if they encounter problems using their health insurance.
 
In addition to helping Health Insurance Marketplace enrollees best use their insurance, Health Help Mississippi will also provide assistance to families with children enrolled in the Medicaid and CHIP programs.
 
"Anyone who has had health insurance, whether it's from a job, Medicaid, the Marketplace, or another source, knows that insurance can be difficult to use and understand. We want consumers to know that they are not alone and that we are here to help if they have questions," said Keri Abernathy, Program Manager of Health Help Mississippi's Jackson office.
 
Health Help Mississippi's Jackson office is located at 800 North President Street. Consumers can visit the office in person, or call 601-354-3470 for assistance. 

About Health Help Mississippi
Health Help Mississippi (HHM) is a non-profit consumer assistance program committed to providing assistance, resources and health education to individuals, families and small businesses as they navigate the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. HHM is designed to serve those who need assistance with enrollment, claims, denials and disputes. Those needing assistance can call the statewide toll-free number, 1-877-314-3843 or visit healthhelpms.org for more information.

About the W.K. Kellogg Foundation
 The W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF), founded in 1930 as an independent, private foundation by breakfast cereal pioneer, Will Keith Kellogg, is among the largest philanthropic foundations in the United States. Guided by the belief that all children should have an equal opportunity to thrive, WKKF works with communities to create conditions for vulnerable children so they can realize their full potential in school, work and life. The Kellogg Foundation is based in Battle Creek, Michigan, and works throughout the United States and internationally, as well as with sovereign tribes. Special emphasis is paid to priority places where there are high concentrations of poverty and where children face significant barriers to success. WKKF priority places in the U.S. are in Michigan, Mississippi, New Mexico and New Orleans; and internationally, are in Mexico and Haiti. For more information, visit www.wkkf.org.