Abhay J. Bhatt, MD
Specialties: Newborn Services, Neonatal Medicine
Gender: Male
Biography: Dr. Abhay Bhatt is a Professor of Pediatrics and Director of Research in the division of newborn medicine and the department of Pediatrics at UMMC. His primary research interests are hypoxic-ischemic (HI), oxygen, inflammation, and steroid-induced injury to the developing brain. His long-term research goals are to understand how to target molecular mechanisms causing ongoing brain damage following these insults in order to develop improved strategies for the prevention and treatment of brain injury in newborn infants and to develop corticosteroids regimens for the treatment of chronic lung disease of prematurity and vasopressor-resistant hypotension without any major toxicity, particularly neurotoxicity. As director of Research, Dr. Bhatt looks forward to continuing to sustain and expand discovery in the division and thus achieving the vision of Children’s Mississippi to touch the life of every child in Mississippi and help them reach their full potential. As a neonatologist, Dr. Bhatt supports the mission of the newborn division to achieve the highest standards of performance to provide support for critically ill and preterm newborn infants and their families through compassionate clinical care. He also supervises quality improvement projects in the NICU. Dr. Bhatt has a keen interest in educational activities to develop outstanding health care professionals.
Practice Locations
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1
Wiser Hospital for Women and Infants - UMMC
2500 N. State St., Jackson, MS 39216 View Location |
Accepted Insurance Plans
The University of Mississippi Medical Center accepts all plans, but may not be an in-network provider with your plan. We encourage you to contact your insurer and ask if the plan is in network with UMMC. Always contact your insurance carrier for specific coverage information.
Network Participation - 2026MississippiCAN and CHIP [Managed Care programs promulgated by the Mississippi Division of Medicaid]- Molina Healthcare of Mississippi, Inc.
- Magnolia Health (Centene)
- TrueCare
Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace [Individual plans offered on healthcare.gov]- Ambetter from Magnolia Health (Centene)
- Molina Healthcare of Mississippi, Inc.
- UHC Marketplace (Madison only)
Medicare Advantage- Devoted Health Plans: PPO, HMO, DSNP, CSNP
- HealthSpring Plans: PPO, HMO, DSNP
- Humana: PPO, HMO, DSNP, CSNP, ISNP
- United Healthcare Plans: PPO, HMO, DSNP, CSNP, ISNP
- WellCare (Centene) Plans: PPO, HMO, DSNP
Commercial - Group and Individual- Aetna Plans: PPO, HMO [Includes all facilities except UMMC Madison]
- BCBSMS Plans: BlueCardPPO, State Health Plan (AHS), Federal Employee Plan (FEP)
- Cigna Plans: PPO, HMO
- United Healthcare Plans: PPO, HMO (Includes plans administered by UMR, UnitedHealth Group's wholly owned third-party administrator (TPA) subsidiary)
- Molina Healthcare of Mississippi, Inc.
- Magnolia Health (Centene)
- TrueCare
Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace [Individual plans offered on healthcare.gov]- Ambetter from Magnolia Health (Centene)
- Molina Healthcare of Mississippi, Inc.
- UHC Marketplace (Madison only)
Medicare Advantage- Devoted Health Plans: PPO, HMO, DSNP, CSNP
- HealthSpring Plans: PPO, HMO, DSNP
- Humana: PPO, HMO, DSNP, CSNP, ISNP
- United Healthcare Plans: PPO, HMO, DSNP, CSNP, ISNP
- WellCare (Centene) Plans: PPO, HMO, DSNP
Commercial - Group and Individual- Aetna Plans: PPO, HMO [Includes all facilities except UMMC Madison]
- BCBSMS Plans: BlueCardPPO, State Health Plan (AHS), Federal Employee Plan (FEP)
- Cigna Plans: PPO, HMO
- United Healthcare Plans: PPO, HMO (Includes plans administered by UMR, UnitedHealth Group's wholly owned third-party administrator (TPA) subsidiary)
- Devoted Health Plans: PPO, HMO, DSNP, CSNP
- HealthSpring Plans: PPO, HMO, DSNP
- Humana: PPO, HMO, DSNP, CSNP, ISNP
- United Healthcare Plans: PPO, HMO, DSNP, CSNP, ISNP
- WellCare (Centene) Plans: PPO, HMO, DSNP
Commercial - Group and Individual- Aetna Plans: PPO, HMO [Includes all facilities except UMMC Madison]
- BCBSMS Plans: BlueCardPPO, State Health Plan (AHS), Federal Employee Plan (FEP)
- Cigna Plans: PPO, HMO
- United Healthcare Plans: PPO, HMO (Includes plans administered by UMR, UnitedHealth Group's wholly owned third-party administrator (TPA) subsidiary)
Transplant Only Networks- Optum Plan: Commercial • Programs: Solid Organ, BMT, VAD
- Emerging Therapy Solutions (ETS) Plan: Commercial • Programs: Solid Organ, BMT, CAR-T, VAD
- Interlink Plan: Commercial • Programs: Solid Organ, BMT, CAR-T
- Celtic Plans: Ambetter, WellCare, Magnolia Health MississippiCAN, Magnolia Health CHIP • Programs: Solid Organ, BMT
- Cigna Lifesource Plan: Commercial • Programs: Solid Organ, BMT, CAR-T, VAD
Dental- Avesis Plan: MississippiCAN and CHIP (TrueCare)
- Always Care/Unum Plan: Commercial
Vision- Avesis Plan: MississippiCAN and CHIP (TrueCare)
- Always Care/Unum Plan: Commercial
Rental Networks (Utilized by self-funded employer group plans and third-party administrators (TPAs))- Mississippi Physicians Care Network (MPCN) [If MPCN is present on a Member/Subscriber ID, all UMMC facilities and providers are in-network regardless of TPA.]
- First Choice Health Plan
- Claritev (formerly Multiplan)
- Zelis
Government Programs- Humana Military Plan: Tricare
- United Healthcare Plan: Veterans Affairs Community Care Networks
Plans and Payors UMMC is not in-network with as of April 1, 2026- Oscar Health Plan: ACA Marketplace [Final negotiations taking place now. Anticipate in-network participation, effective June 1, 2026.]
- Cigna (Connect EPO) Plan: ACA Marketplace
- American Health Advantage Plan: Medicare Advantage
- Patrius Health (BCBSMS) Plan: Medicare Advantage
- Aetna Plan: Medicare Advantage
- Avesis Plan: MississippiCAN and CHIP (TrueCare)
- Always Care/Unum Plan: Commercial
Vision- Avesis Plan: MississippiCAN and CHIP (TrueCare)
- Always Care/Unum Plan: Commercial
Rental Networks (Utilized by self-funded employer group plans and third-party administrators (TPAs))- Mississippi Physicians Care Network (MPCN) [If MPCN is present on a Member/Subscriber ID, all UMMC facilities and providers are in-network regardless of TPA.]
- First Choice Health Plan
- Claritev (formerly Multiplan)
- Zelis
Government Programs- Humana Military Plan: Tricare
- United Healthcare Plan: Veterans Affairs Community Care Networks
Plans and Payors UMMC is not in-network with as of April 1, 2026- Oscar Health Plan: ACA Marketplace [Final negotiations taking place now. Anticipate in-network participation, effective June 1, 2026.]
- Cigna (Connect EPO) Plan: ACA Marketplace
- American Health Advantage Plan: Medicare Advantage
- Patrius Health (BCBSMS) Plan: Medicare Advantage
- Aetna Plan: Medicare Advantage
- Mississippi Physicians Care Network (MPCN) [If MPCN is present on a Member/Subscriber ID, all UMMC facilities and providers are in-network regardless of TPA.]
- First Choice Health Plan
- Claritev (formerly Multiplan)
- Zelis
Government Programs- Humana Military Plan: Tricare
- United Healthcare Plan: Veterans Affairs Community Care Networks
Plans and Payors UMMC is not in-network with as of April 1, 2026- Oscar Health Plan: ACA Marketplace [Final negotiations taking place now. Anticipate in-network participation, effective June 1, 2026.]
- Cigna (Connect EPO) Plan: ACA Marketplace
- American Health Advantage Plan: Medicare Advantage
- Patrius Health (BCBSMS) Plan: Medicare Advantage
- Aetna Plan: Medicare Advantage
- Oscar Health Plan: ACA Marketplace [Final negotiations taking place now. Anticipate in-network participation, effective June 1, 2026.]
- Cigna (Connect EPO) Plan: ACA Marketplace
- American Health Advantage Plan: Medicare Advantage
- Patrius Health (BCBSMS) Plan: Medicare Advantage
- Aetna Plan: Medicare Advantage
Education
| Board Certification: | Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine |
| Fellowship: | Strong Memorial Hospital of the University of Rochester |
| Medical Education: | NHL Municipal Medical College |
| Residency: | Children's Medical Center of Brooklyn |
| Residency: | Sheth K.M. School of P.G. Medicine and Research |
Experience
Current Positions
| Physician Liaison/Medical Director, NICU at MHG, School of Medicine, UMMC | 01/2018 - Present |
| Director of Research, Newborn Division, School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, UMMC | 11/2016 - Present |
| Professor, School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University Of Mississippi Medical Center | 07/2015 - Present |
| Team Leader VON Database, School of Medicine, UMMC | 2012 - Present |
Specialty Certification Licensure
| Certification, Diplomate in Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, The American Board of Pediatrics | 10/1999 - Present |
| Certification, Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) Provider | 06/2015 |
| Licensure, Mississippi State Board of Medical Licensure | 07/2012 - 06/2015 |
| Certification, Diplomate of The American Board of Pediatrics, The American Board of Pediatrics | 10/1996 - 12/2013 |
| Licensure, Mississippi State Medical Board | 03/2000 - 06/2012 |
Honors, Awards, and Recognition
| UMMC GWIMS Trailbazer Award, UMMC Group on Woman in Medicine and Science | 2018 |
| Intramural Funding- Hyperoxia, inflammation and cerebral white matter injury. Role: consultant, IRSP | 2014 |