A full list of client aid categories is available online. View or print the Client Aid Category list.
Most Medicaid categories provide the full range of Medicaid services as specified in the Arkansas Medicaid State Plan. However, certain categories offer a limited benefit package. These categories are discussed below. View or print the Client Aid Category list.
Certain programs require additional cost sharing for Medicaid services. View or print the Client Aid Category list.
The forms of cost sharing in the Medicaid Program are co-payment and premiums. These programs are discussed in Sections 124.210 through 124.250.
Copayments may not exceed the amounts listed in the cost sharing schedules, as updated each January 1 by the percentage increase in the medical care component of the CPI-U for the period of September to September ending in the preceding calendar year and then rounded to the next higher 5-cent increment.
A family's total annual out-of-pocket cost sharing cannot exceed five percent (5%) of the family's gross income.
Eligibility category 49 covers children under age 19 who are eligible for Medicaid services as authorized by Section 134 of the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982 (TEFRA) and amended by the Omnibus Budget Reduction Act. Children in category 49 receive the full range of Medicaid services. However, there are cost sharing requirements. Families will be charged a sliding scale monthly premium based on the income of the custodial parents. Custodial parents with incomes above 150 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL) and in excess of $25,000 annually will be subject to a sliding scale monthly premium. The monthly premium, described in the following chart, can only be assessed if the family income is in excess of one-hundred and fifty percent (150%) of the federal poverty level.
The premiums listed in the TEFRA Cost Share Schedule below represent family responsibility. They will not increase if a family has more than one TEFRA-eligible child. Co-payments are not charged for services to TEFRA children, and a family's total annual out-of-pocket cost sharing cannot exceed five percent (5%) of the family's gross income.
TEFRA Cost Share Schedule
Effective July 1, 2022
Family Income | Monthly Premiums | |||
From | To | % | From | To |
$0 | $25,000 | 0% | $0 | $0 |
$25,001 | $50,000 | 1.00% | $20 | $41 |
$50,001 | $75,000 | 1.25% | $52 | $78 |
$75,001 | $100,000 | 1.50% | $93 | $125 |
$100,001 | $125,000 | 1.75% | $145 | $182 |
$125,001 | $150,000 | 2.00% | $208 | $250 |
$150,001 | $175,000 | 2.25% | $281 | $328 |
$175,001 | $200,000 | 2.50% | $364 | $416 |
$200,001 | No limit | 2.75% | $458 | $458 |
The maximum premium is $5,500 per year ($458 per month) for income levels of $200,001 and above.
The Workers with Disabilities (WD) category is an employment initiative designed to enable people with disabilities to gain employment without losing medical benefits. Individuals who are ages sixteen (16) through sixty-four (64), with a disability as defined by Supplemental Security Income (SSI) criteria and who meet the income and resource criteria may be eligible in this category.
Co-payments are required for the following services:
Adult Medicaid Cost Share Schedule | |
Service | Copay |
Office Visits and Outpatient Services | |
Physician visit (including PCP/specialist/audiologist/podiatrist visit, excluding preventive services and X-ray) | $4.70 |
Preventative Care/Screening/Immunizations/EPSDT | $0.00 |
Other Practitioner Office Visit (Nurse, Physician Assistant) | $4.70 |
Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) | $4.70 |
Rural Health Clinic | $4.70 |
Ambulatory Surgical Center | $4.70 |
Family planning services and supplies (including contraceptives) | $0.00 |
Chiropractor | $4.70 |
Acupuncture | Not covered |
Pharmacy | |
Generics | $4.70 |
Preferred Brand Drugs | $4.70 |
Non-Preferred Brand Drugs | $9.40 |
Specialty Drugs (i.e., High-Cost) | $9.40 |
Testing and Imaging | |
X-rays and Diagnostic Imaging | $4.70 |
Imaging (CT/Pet Scans, MRIs) | $4.70 |
Laboratory Outpatient and Professional Services | $4.70 |
Allergy Testing | $4.70 |
Inpatient Services | |
All Inpatient Hospital Services (including MH/SUD) | $0.00 |
Emergency and Urgent Care | |
Emergency Room Services | $0.00 |
Non-Emergency Use of the Emergency Department | $9.40 |
Emergency Transportation/Ambulance | $0.00 |
Urgent Care Centers or Facilities | $4.70 |
Durable Medical Equipment | |
Durable Medical Equipment | $4.70 |
Prosthetic Devices | $4.70 |
Orthotic Appliances | $4.70 |
Mental and Behavioral Health and Substance Abuse | |
All Inpatient Hospital Services (including MH/SUD) | $0.00 |
Mental/Behavioral Health and SUD Outpatient Services | $4.70 |
Rehabilitation and Habilitation | |
Rehabilitative Occupational Therapy | $4.70 |
Rehabilitative Speech Therapy | $4.70 |
Rehabilitative Physical Therapy | $4.70 |
Outpatient Rehabilitation Services | $4.70 |
Habilitation Services | $4.70 |
Surgery | |
Inpatient Physician and Surgical Services | $0.00 |
Outpatient Surgery Physician/Surgical Services | $4.70 |
Treatments and Therapies | |
Chemotherapy | $4.70 |
Radiation | $4.70 |
Infertility Treatment | Not covered |
Infusion Therapy | $4.70 |
Vision | |
Dental | |
Accidental Dental | $4.70 |
Women's Services | |
Delivery and all Inpatient services for maternity care | $0.00 |
Prenatal and postnatal care | $0.00 |
Other | |
Home health Care Services | $4.70 |
Hospice Services | $0.00 |
End Stage Renal Disease Services (Dialysis) | $0.00 |
Personal Care | Not covered |
* Exception: Cost sharing for nursing facility services is in the form of "patient liability" which generally requires that patients contribute most of their monthly income toward their nursing facility care. Therefore, WD clients (Aid Category 10) and Transitional Medicaid clients (Aid Category 25) who temporarily enter a nursing home and continue to meet WD or TM eligibility criteria will be exempt from the co-payments listed above.
The Transitional Medicaid program extends Medicaid coverage to families up to 185% of FPL that, due to earned income, lost eligibility for the Parents/Caretaker-Relative (PCR) Aid Category. The Transitional Medicaid program provides up to twelve (12) months of extended coverage after losing PCR eligibility.
Pertinent co-payment amounts for clients covered by Adult Transitional Medicaid are the same as those listed in Section 124.230.
The ARHOME program operates as a demonstration waiver under Section 1115 of the Social Security Act. It provides premium assistance to allow clients eligible under Section 1902(a)(10)(A)(i)(VIII) of the Social Security Act to enroll in qualified health plans. The ARHOME aid category covers adults ages 19-64 who earn up to 138% of the federal poverty level and are not eligible for Medicare. Under ARHOME, clients receive services either through a qualified health plan (QHP) or through three other benefit plans delivered through fee for service. Cost sharing applies only to ARHOME clients who are enrolled in a QHP or who are awaiting enrollment in a QHP (IABP benefit plan). ARHOME clients in a benefit plan based on their status as medically frail (FRAIL) or alternative benefit plan (ABP) will not be subject to any cost sharing.
ARHOME QHP Cost Share amounts for clients enrolled in a QHP are as follows:
ARHOME QHP Cost Share Schedule | |
Service | Copay |
Office Visits and Outpatient Services | |
Physician visit (including PCP/specialist/audiologist/podiatrist visit, excluding preventive services and X-ray) | $4.70 |
Preventative Care/Screening/Immunizations/EPSDT | $0.00 |
Other Practitioner Office Visit (Nurse, Physician Assistant) | $4.70 |
Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) | $4.70 |
Rural Health Clinic | $4.70 |
Ambulatory Surgical Center | $4.70 |
Family planning services and supplies (including contraceptives) | $0.00 |
Chiropractor | $4.70 |
Acupuncture | Not covered |
Nutritional Counseling | $4.70 |
Pharmacy | |
Generics | $4.70 |
Preferred Brand Drugs | $4.70 |
Non-Preferred Brand Drugs | $9.40 |
Specialty Drugs (i.e., High-Cost) | $9.40 |
Testing and Imaging | |
X-rays and Diagnostic Imaging | $4.70 |
Imaging (CT/Pet Scans, MRIs) | $4.70 |
Laboratory Outpatient and Professional Services | $4.70 |
Allergy Testing | $4.70 |
Inpatient Services | |
All Inpatient Hospital Services (including MH/SUD) | $0.00 |
Emergency and Urgent Care | |
Emergency Room Services | $0.00 |
Non-Emergency Use of the Emergency Department | $9.40 |
Emergency Transportation/Ambulance | $0.00 |
Urgent Care Centers or Facilities | $4.70 |
Durable Medical Equipment | |
Durable Medical Equipment | $4.70 |
Prosthetic Devices | $4.70 |
Orthotic Appliances | $4.70 |
Mental and Behavioral Health and Substance Abuse | |
All Inpatient Hospital Services (including MH/SUD) | $0.00 |
Mental/Behavioral Health and SUD Outpatient Services | $4.70 |
Rehabilitation and Habilitation | |
Rehabilitative Occupational Therapy | $4.70 |
Rehabilitative Speech Therapy | $4.70 |
Rehabilitative Physical Therapy | $4.70 |
Outpatient Rehabilitation Services | $4.70 |
Habilitation Services | $4.70 |
Surgery | |
Inpatient Physician and Surgical Services | $0.00 |
Outpatient Surgery Physician/Surgical Services | $4.70 |
Treatments and Therapies | |
Chemotherapy | $4.70 |
Radiation | $4.70 |
Infertility Treatment | Not covered |
Infusion Therapy | $4.70 |
Vision | |
Routine Eye Exam | Not covered |
Dental | |
Basic Dental Services | Not covered |
Accidental Dental | $4.70 |
Orthodontia | Not covered |
Women's Services | |
Delivery and all Inpatient services for maternity care | $0.00 |
Prenatal and postnatal care | $0.00 |
Other | |
Eyeglasses for Adults | Not covered |
Diabetes Education | $0.00 |
Home Health Care Services | $4.70 |
Private-Duty Nursing | Not covered |
Hospice Services | $0.00 |
End Stage Renal Disease Services (Dialysis) | $0.00 |
Personal Care | Not covered |
The following populations are excluded from the client cost sharing requirement:
The fact that a client is a resident of a nursing facility does not on its own exclude the Medicaid services provided to the client from the cost sharing requirement. Unless a Medicaid client has been found eligible for long term care assistance through the Arkansas Medicaid Program, and Medicaid is making a vendor payment to the nursing facility (NF or ICF/IID) for the client, the client is not exempt from the cost sharing requirement.
The following services are excluded from the client cost sharing requirement:
The provider must maintain sufficient documentation in the client's medical record to substantiate any exemption from the client cost sharing requirement.
The method of collecting the coinsurance/co-payment amount from the client is the provider's responsibility. In cases of claim adjustments, the responsibility of refunding or collecting additional cost sharing (coinsurance or co-payment) from the client remains the provider's responsibility.
The provider may not deny services to a Medicaid client because of the individual's inability to pay the coinsurance or co-payment. However, the individual's inability to pay does not eliminate his or her liability for the coinsurance or co-payment charge.
The client's inability to pay the coinsurance or co-payment does not alter the Medicaid reimbursement for the claim. Unless the client or the service is exempt from cost sharing requirements as listed in Section 134.000, Medicaid reimbursement is made in accordance with the current reimbursement methodology and when applicable cost sharing amounts are deducted from the maximum allowable fee before payment.
Hospitals are required to comply with certain federal rules before assessing non-emergency copays. Hospitals are expected to comply with emergency room screening requirements, help locate alternate providers when screening determines the patient's need to be non-emergent, and inform clients of treatment options that have a lesser co-pay before the hospital and the state can charge the non-emergency use of the emergency room co-pay.
Hospitals must develop written policies and tracking mechanisms to identify how they comply with the requirement and produce data on member choice and expenditures. Policies and data must be available upon request of DHS and its designees.
The Medicaid cost-sharing amount for clients who use hospital emergency department services for non-emergency reasons can be found in the ARHOME QHP Cost Share Schedule for clients enrolled in a QHP or the Adult Medicaid Cost Share Schedule. (See Sections 124.230 and 124.250)
This cost-sharing amount will only apply to Medicaid clients who are subject to a copay. There will not be any cost-sharing required from clients who need emergency services or treatment.
The first step in the process will be for hospital emergency departments to conduct an appropriate medical screening to determine whether the client needs emergency services.
If the screening determines that emergency services are needed, hospitals should tell the client what the cost-sharing amount will be for the emergency services provided in the emergency department ($0.00). Hospitals should then provide needed emergency services per their established protocols.
If the screening determines that emergency services are not needed, hospitals may provide non-emergency services in the emergency department. Before providing non-emergency services and imposing client cost sharing for such services, however, the hospital must:
* Tell the client what the cost-sharing amount will be for the non-emergency services provided in the emergency department,
* Give the client the option of paying for and receiving services in the emergency department, or
* Give the client the name and location of an alternate non-emergency services provider that can provide the needed services in a timely manner and at a lower cost than the hospital emergency department, and
* Refer the client to the alternate provider, who will then coordinate scheduling for treatment.
Beneficiary Aid Category List
Some categories provide a full range of benefits while others may offer limited benefits or may require cost sharing by a beneficiary. The following codes describe each level of coverage.
FR | full range |
LB | limited benefits |
AC | additional cost sharing |
MNLB | medically needy limited benefits |
QHP/IABP/MF | Qualified Health Plan/awaiting QHP assignment/medically frail |
Category | Category Name | Description | Code |
01 | ARKIDS B | CHIP Separate Child Health Program | LB, AC |
06 | ARHOME | New Adult Expansion Group | QHP, AC lABP, AC MF, FR |
10 | WD | Workers with Disabilities | FR, AC |
11 | Assisted Individual -Aged | Assisted Living Facility- Individual is >= 65 years old | FR |
11 | ARChoices - Aged | ARChoices waiver -Individual is >= 65 years old | FR |
13 | SSI Aged Individual | SSI Medicaid | FR |
14 | SSI Aged Spouse | SSI Medicaid | FR |
15 | PACE | Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) | FR |
16 | AA-EC Aged Individual | Medically Needy, Exceptional Category-Individual is >= 65 years old | MNLB |
17 | AA-SD - Aged | Medically Needy Spend Down- Individual is >= 65 years old | MNLB |
18QMB | AA Aged Individual | Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB)-Individual is >= 65 years old | LB |
19 | ARSeniors | ARSeniors | FR |
20 | PCR | Parent Caretaker Relative | FR |
25 | TM | Transitional Medicaid | FR, AC |
26 | AFDC Medically Needy-EC | AFDC Medically Needy Exceptional Category | MNLB |
27 | AFDC Medically Needy-SD | AFDC Medically Needy Spend Down | MNLB |
31 | Pickle | Disregard COLA Increase | FR |
33 | SSI Blind Individual | SSI Medicaid | FR |
34 | SSI Blind Spouse | SSI Medicaid | FR |
35 | SSI Blind Child | SSI Medicaid | FR |
36 | Blind Medically Needy-EC** | AABD Medically Needy - Individual is Blind as indicated on the Disability screen | MNLB |
37 | Blind Medically Needy-SD- | Aid to the Blind-Medically Needy Spend Down-Individual has disability type of blind | MNLB |
38 | Blind - QMB | Aid to the Blind-Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) - Individual is Blind as indicated on the Disability screen | LB |
40 | Nursing Facility - Aged | Nursing Facility - Individual age is >= 65 years old | FR |
40 | Nursing Facility - Blind | Nursing Facility- Individual is Blind as indicated on the Disability screen | FR |
40 | Nursing Facility - Disabled | Nursing Facility - Individual has a disability | FR |
41 | Disabled Widow/er Surviving Divorced Spouse | Widows/Widowers and Surviving Divorced Spouses with a Disability (COBRA 90) | FR |
41 | Assisted Living | Assisted Living Facility-Individual has a disability of any type | FR |
41 | ARChoices | ARChoices-Individual has disability type of physical or blind | FR |
41 | DAC | Disabled Adult Child | FR |
41 | Autism | Autism Waiver | FR |
41 | DDS | DDS Waiver | FR |
41 | Disregard (1984) Widow/Widow/er | Disabled Widower 50-59 (COBRA) | FR |
41 | Disregard SSA Disabled Widow/er | Disabled Widower 60-65 (OBRA 87) | FR |
41 | Disregard SSA Disabled Widow/e | OBRA 90 | FR |
43 | SSI Disabled Individual | SSI Medicaid | FR |
44 | SSI Disabled Spouse | SSI Medicaid | FR |
45 | SSI Disabled Child | SSI Medicaid | FR |
46 | Disabled Medically Needy - EC | AABD Medically Needy - Individual has disability of any type other than blind | MNLB |
47 | Disabled Medically Needy - SD | AABD Medically Needy Spenddown - Individual has any other disability type other than Blind | MNLB |
48 | Disabled QMB | Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) -Individual has any other disability type other than Blind | LB |
49 | TEFRA | TEFRA Waiver for Disabled Child | FR, AC |
52 | Newborn | FR | |
56 U-18 EC | Newborn | Under Age 18 Medically Needy Exceptional Category | MNLB |
57 | U-18 Medically Needy - SD | AFDC U18 Medically Needy Spend Down | MNLB |
58 | Qualifying Individual (QI-1) | Qualifying Individual-1 (Medicaid pays only the Medicare premium) | LB |
61 | ARKids A | ARKids A | FR |
61 | Unborn | Pregnant Women - Unborn Child (No family planning benefits allowed) | LB |
65 | Pregnant Women - Full | Pregnant Women - Full | FR |
66 | Pregnant Women Medically Needy - EC | AFDC Pregnant Women Medically Needy | MNLB |
67 | Pregnant Women Medically Needy - SD | AFDC Pregnant Women Medically Needy Spend Down | MNLB |
68 | Qualified Disabled and Working individual (QDWI) | Qualified Disabled and Working individual (QDWI) - (Medicaid pays only the Medicare Part A premium) | LB |
76 | AFDC UP Medically Needy - EC | Unemployed Parent Medically Needy | MNLB |
77 | AFDC UP Medically Needy Spenddown | Unemployed Parent Medically Needy Spend Down | MNLB |
81 | RMA | Refugee Resettlement | FR |
87 | RMA Spenddown | Refugee Resettlement- Medically Needy Spend Down | MNLB |
88 | SLMB | Specified Low Income Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) (Medicaid pays only the Medicare premium) | LB |
91 | Foster Care Non-IV-E | Non IV-E Foster Care - User selection based on Child in Placement screen | FR |
92 | Foster Care IV-E | IV-E Foster Care - User selection based on Child in Placement screen | FR |
92 | Foster Care ICPC IV-E | ICPC IV-E Foster Care - User selection based on Child in Placement screen | FR |
93 | Former Foster Care | Former Foster Care Up to Age 26 | FR |
94 | Adoption | Non- IV-E- User selection based on Child in Placement screen | FR |
94 | Adoption | ICAMA Non- IV-E- User selection based on Child in Placement screen | FR |
94 | Adoption | IV-E- User selection based on Child in Placement screen | FR |
94 | Adoption | ICAMA IV-E- User selection based on Child in Placement screen | FR |
95 | Guardianship (GAP) | Guardianship Non-IV-E - User selection based on Child in Placement screen | FR |
95 | Guardianship (GAP) | Guardianship IV-E- User selection based on Child in Placement screen | FR |
96 | Foster Care Exceptional Category | Foster Care Medically Needy Exceptional Category - Individual fails Foster Care Non-IVE Income Test and is eligible for FC EC | MNLB |
97 FC-SD | Foster Care Spend Down | Foster Care Medically Needy Spend Down-Individual fails FC EC Income Test/or Income Test of any other higher category and has medical bills to be eligible on spenddown | MNLB |
MEDICAL SERVICES POLICY MANUAL, SECTION A
The Health Care Program (Medicaid) is a Federal-State Program designed to meet the financial expense of medical services for eligible individuals in Arkansas. The Department of Human Services (DHS), Divisions of County Operations (DCO) and Medical Services have the responsibility for administration of the Health Care Program. The purpose of Medical Services is to provide medical assistance to low income individuals and families and to insure proper utilization of such services. DCO will accept all applications, verification documents, and make eligibility determinations.
Benefits for the Arkansas Medicaid and ARKids Programs include:
* Emergency Services;
* Home Health and Hospice;
* Hospitalization;
* Long Term Care;
* Physician Services;
* Prescription Drugs; and
* Transportation-(Refer to Appendix B for a description of Transportation Services).
Generally, there is no limit on benefits to individuals under twenty-one (21) years of age who are enrolled in the Child Health Services Program (EPSDT). There may be benefit limits to individuals over twenty-one (21) years of age.
The Adult Expansion Group coverage for most individuals will be provided through a private insurance plan, this is, a Qualified Health Plan (QHP). QHP coverage will include:
* Outpatient Services;
* Emergency Services;
* Hospitalization;
* Maternity and Newborn Care;
* Mental Health and Substance Abuse;
* Prescription Drugs;
* Rehabilitative and Habilitative Services;
* Laboratory Services;
* Preventive and Wellness Services and Chronic Disease Management; and
* Pediatric Services, including Dental and Vision Care;
Exception: Individuals eligible for the Adult Expansion Group who have health care needs that make coverage through a QHP impractical, or overly complex, or who would undermine continuity or effectiveness of care, will not enroll in a private QHP plan but will remain in Health Care.
Health Care Programs could include out-of-pocket spending (cost sharing) on covered services that follow 42 CFR § 447.50. Examples of cost sharing can include: coinsurance, co-payments, premiums, and prescription costs.
The coinsurance and copayment policy does not apply to the following recipients and/or services:
Recipients of Medicaid for Workers with Disabilities (WD) with gross income up to one hundred and fifty percent (150%) of the FPL for their family size will be subject to paying Health Care co-pays. Recipients with income greater than one hundred and fifty percent (150%) of the FPL will be assessed for co-payments up to twenty percent (20%) of Health Care maximum allowable, up to ten dollars ($10) per visit.
NOTE: Transitional Medicaid will follow the same cost share guidelines as Workers with Disabilities.
The Child Health Services Program (EPSDT) is a program designed to provide early and periodic screening, diagnosis, and treatment services.
016.29.22 Ark. Code R. 017