Current Structure

Current Structure A. During the 1984 Session, the Mississippi Legislature designated the Division of Medicaid in the Office of the Governor as the single state agency authorized to administer the Medicaid Program. B. After the Division of Medicaid’s designation, the Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS, formerly known as Department of Public Welfare) continued to determine eligibility for Medicaid Programs for children and families. In 1999, MDHS acquired the authority to determine eligibility for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). C. During the 2004 Session, the Mississippi Legislature expanded the Division of Medicaid’s eligibility jurisdiction, making the Division of Medicaid additionally responsible for determining initial and ongoing eligibility for all children, families, and pregnant women. The transition of the Families, Children and CHIP (FCC) programs from MDHS to the Division of Medicaid was effective January 1, 2005. MDHS remained the certifying agency for children under Title IV-E services and other related custody and adoption assistance programs and those eligible for Medicaid coverage under the Refugee Resettlement Program. D. During the 2012 Session, the Mississippi Legislature transferred the existing contract for insurance services for CHIP from the State and School Employees Health Insurance Management Board to the Division of Medicaid effective January 1, 2013. E. The Mississippi Legislature created the Department of Child Protection Services (CPS) during the 2016 Session, making CPS Mississippi’s lead child welfare agency. Effective July 1, 2016, CPS became responsible for Medicaid certifications for children in its custody who qualify for Medicaid, and children under Title IV-E services and other related custody and adoption assistance programs and those eligible for Medicaid coverage under the Refugee Resettlement Program. F. During the 2018 Session, the Mississippi Legislature made CPS a sub-agency of MDHS. CPS remains independent of MDHS, but was housed within DHS to increase efficiency through the sharing of resources, such as system support and other related administrative functions.