Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP)
Free, unbiased Medicare counseling in Arkansas. Trained counselors go through your costs and choices with you, and they don't sell plans.
Medicare and health costs
Medicare Savings Programs in Arkansas
The Arkansas Department of Human Services runs the Medicare Savings Programs, which pay your Medicare Part B premium, and with QMB also your deductibles and copays.
Arkansas calls the middle level SMB. One application also covers ARSeniors, which gives full Medicaid to people 65 and older with lower incomes.
How to apply in Arkansas
- By phone
- 1-855-372-1084
- In person
- At your local DHS county office. There is an office serving every county; DHS has a map to find yours.
- By mail
- Mail the Application for Medicare Savings for Qualified Beneficiaries (form DCO-0808) to the Access Arkansas Processing Center, 1095 White Drive, Batesville, AR 72501.
Applying is free. Nobody should charge you to apply.
Apply on the official siteWho may qualify in Arkansas
| 2026 figures | One person | Married couple |
|---|---|---|
| QMB income limit | $1,330 a month (after the first $20 of income is set aside) | $1,803.33 a month (after the first $20 of income is set aside) |
| SMB (SLMB) income limit | $1,596 a month (after the first $20 of income is set aside) | $2,164 a month (after the first $20 of income is set aside) |
| QI-1 income limit | $1,795.50 a month (after the first $20 of income is set aside) | $2,434.50 a month (after the first $20 of income is set aside) |
| Savings limit | $9,950 | $14,910 |
Source: Arkansas Department of Human Services, Division of County Operations (source 1)
What you may get
| What QMB pays | Your Part B premium, deductibles and copays |
|---|---|
| What SMB pays | Your Part B premium |
| What QI-1 pays | Your Part B premium |
Source: Arkansas Department of Human Services, Division of County Operations (source 1)
Good to know
- Arkansas lists its limits after the first $20 of monthly income is set aside, as SSI does. With that $20 they line up with the federal limits ($1,350 a month for one person under QMB).
- The same application also checks you for ARSeniors, which gives full Medicaid to people 65 and older with lower incomes: up to $1,064 a month for one person or $1,442.67 for a couple in 2026, after the first $20 of income is set aside.
Source: Arkansas Department of Human Services, Division of County Operations (source 1)
Free help
Free help with this in Arkansas
Division of Aging, Adult, and Behavioral Health Services
Your local Area Agency on Aging can help with meals, rides, help at home, caregiver support and applying for benefits.
More help in Arkansas
Medicare Savings Programs in another state
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Sources
- Arkansas Department of Human Services, Division of County Operations, Health Care Eligibility – Quick Reference (04/2026) (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- Arkansas Department of Human Services, Division of County Operations (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- Arkansas Department of Human Services, Apply For Services (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
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