Arkansas Medicaid Eligibility and Enrollment
- What does Arkansas Medicaid offer? How is it different from Medicaid in other states? Find out how Medicaid in Arkansas works and how you can get it.
Arkansas Medicaid is a health care managed program for low-income individuals who need medical services but can't afford them. The Arkansas Department of Human Services manages and administers the program for state residents who qualify. The agency works to improve the quality of life for all state residents while protecting vulnerable populations, such as children, older adults and those with developmental disabilities.
A typical applicant is:
- Under age 19 or 65 and older
- Blind, disabled or pregnant
- A parent or relative who serves as the caretaker of a child with an absent, disabled or unemployed parent
- Living in a nursing home
- Under age 21 and in foster care
- In medical need of certain home and community-based services
- A breast or cervical cancer patient
- Aged 19 through 64 with a household income below 138% of the federal poverty level
Medicaid in Arkansas supports more than 1 million beneficiaries who depend on the statewide program to access a wide range of health care providers, hospitals and medical services. Arkansas has a variety of physicians, hospitals, pharmacies, dentists, nursing homes and other health care providers who accept Medicaid. The state health care program pays for all of your medical services if you're pregnant, an enrollee with a household income at or below 100% of the federal poverty level or a nursing home resident.
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Who Is Eligible for Medicaid in Arkansas?
There are a few income and asset requirements for Arkansas residents who apply for Medicaid. For starters, the annual income levels for an individual can't exceed $19,392, and for a family of four, the maximum allowable income a year is $39,900. Children in Arkansas are eligible for Medicaid — referred to as the ARKids First program — if their family meets the income limits established by the Department of Health.
ARKids First is a health care program for children that has two components: ARKids A and ARKids B. The first program is Medicaid for children; the second is for people who earn too much per month to qualify for regular Medicaid but do not have access to health insurance for their children.
ARKids covers well-child checkups, eye exams, dental checkups and more for thousands of children across the state. Applicants complete one form for ARKids First, and the Department of Human Services in Arkansas determines eligibility for either program. Applicants qualify for ARKids A if their family of four earns less than $5,275 monthly.
How Do I Enroll in Medicaid in Arkansas?
There are several convenient ways to apply for Medicaid in Arkansas. Applications for traditional Medicaid are available online at the Department of Human Services or by calling (800) 482-8988.
You can also find out if you qualify for ARKids First benefits and submit your application for services. The ARKids hotline can be reached at (888) 474-8275.
The websites allow users to explore benefits and apply for Medicaid and ARKids First benefits. The online forms ask questions about you, your family, your earnings and any other assets or property you own. Applicants may also visit the Department of Health Services office in the county where they live. When you visit the county office, you'll need to take information about you and family members who live with you, including proof of age (birth certificate, driver’s license), paycheck stubs for anyone who has a job, social security cards and bank records.
Typically, a Medicaid application takes three to six months to process and can take longer if proper documentation is not provided promptly.
Contact Information for Arkansas Medicaid
General correspondence and questions can be sent to the Department of Human Services at:
Donaghey Plaza
P.O. Box 1437
Little Rock, AR 72203
You can also locate your nearest county office online.
