Jonathan T. Hontzas, AGACNP-BC, DNP
Specialties: Surgical Oncology and Endocrinology, Lung Cancers and Mesothelioma
Gender: Male
Biography: Jonathan Hontzas is a dedicated healthcare professional with a passion for addressing lung cancer screening and smoking cessation barriers. He graduated from the University of Mississippi Medical Center’s Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Program in 2017, and subsequently completed the Doctor of Nursing Practice Program in 2022.
Since 2018, Jonathan has played an integral role in the development of the lung cancer screening program at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. He now serves as Director for the ACT Center for Tobacco Treatment, Education, and Research as well as the Lung Cancer Screening Program.
He serves on the Mississippi Lung Cancer Roundtable’s Steering Committee and is the Vice-Chair of the Lung Cancer Screening Workgroup and Chair of the Smoking Cessation Workgroup. Additionally, he serves as the Chair for the Education and Outreach Workgroup for the Mississippi Tobacco Control Network and as the Chair for the Mississippi Tobacco Control Advisory Council. Lastly, he is a member of the National Lung Cancer Roundtable’s Smoking Cessation in the Context of Lung Cancer Screening Workgroup.
Practice Locations
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1
UMMC Medical Pavilion
2500 North State Street, 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 - 2026
MississippiCAN 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)
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
Education
| Board Certification: | Nurse Practitioner, Primary Care |
| Graduate School: | University of Mississippi Medical Center |
| Medical Education: | University of Mississippi Medical Center |
Experience
Current Positions
| Director, School of Medicine, Cancer Center and Research Institute | 11/2023 - Present |
| Director, School of Medicine, Department of Cancer Institute, UMMC, Jackson, MS | 11/2022 - Present |
| Co-Director, Lung Cancer Early Detection Program, School of Medicine, The University of Mississippi Medical Cetner, Jackson, MS | 2018 - Present |
| RN I, The University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 North State Street, MS 39216 | 06/2014 - Present |
Specialty Certification Licensure
| Certification, Tobacco Treatment Specialist | 2023 - Present |
| Certification, AANPCP, AANP | 06/2017 - Present |
| Certification, ACLS | 08/2014 - 08/2016 |
| Certification, BLS | 06/2015 - 06/2017 |
Honors, Awards, and Recognition
| Lung Cancer Champion, American Cancer Society | 2022 |