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Medicare and health costs

Arkansas Medicaid in Arkansas

Arkansas Medicaid can pay health costs Medicare doesn't for people 65 and older.

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From the Arkansas Department of Human Services, Division of County Operations
An older woman in her kitchen reads a letter from the day's mail

Besides Medicaid that comes with SSI, Arkansas has ARSeniors, which gives full Medicaid to people 65 and older with income a little above the SSI level and allows up to $9,950 in savings for one person. If your income is higher, a spend-down may still let you qualify once medical bills are counted.

How to apply in Arkansas

In person
At your local county DHS office.

Applying is free. Nobody should charge you to apply.

Apply on the official site

Who may qualify in Arkansas

Who may qualify for Arkansas Medicaid
One personMarried couple
Income limit (ARSeniors, 2026)$1,064 a month$1,442.67 a month
Savings limit (ARSeniors, 2026)$9,950$14,910
Spend-down if your income is over the limitYes: through AABD Adult Spend-Down you may qualify if medical bills bring your income down to $108.33 a month for one person or $216.66 for a couple (2026). You re-enroll every 3 months.
Income limit for nursing-home or home-care Medicaid (2026)$2,982 a month, for nursing homes, assisted living, ARChoices and PACE (savings limit $2,000)
Medicaid for adults under 65 (expansion)Yes: through ARHOME, adults 19 to 64 without Medicare may qualify with income up to $1,768.90 a month for one person (133% of the poverty level, 2026)

Source: Arkansas Department of Human Services, Division of County Operations (source 1)

How Arkansas is different

Where Arkansas's rules differ from the federal rules for Medicaid for people with Medicare.

  • ARSeniors: full Medicaid for people 65 and older with income above the SSI level ($1,064 a month for one person in 2026)
  • Higher savings limit for ARSeniors: $9,950 for one person, $14,910 for a couple
  • Spend-down available for people over the income limit
  • Home care through ARChoices, with the same income limit as nursing-home care

Source: Arkansas Department of Human Services, Division of County Operations (source 1)

Good to know

  • If you get SSI, Social Security decides your eligibility and you get Medicaid automatically.
  • ARSeniors can cover medical bills from up to three months before the month you apply.
  • For adults under 65 on ARHOME, new community engagement and work rules start in full on January 1, 2027.

Sources: Arkansas Department of Human Services, Division of County Operations (source 1), Arkansas Department of Human Services (source 3)

Free help

Free help with this in Arkansas

More help in Arkansas

Medicaid for older adults in another state

Sources

  1. Arkansas Department of Human Services, Division of County Operations, Health Care Eligibility – Quick Reference (04/2026) (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
  2. Arkansas Department of Human Services, Medicaid Quick Reference Chart (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
  3. Arkansas Department of Human Services, ARHOME (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.

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