ARHOME — Arkansas' private-option Medicaid
Arkansas runs Medicaid expansion differently than most states. Instead of putting newly-eligible adults onto traditional state Medicaid, ARHOME uses Medicaid funds to buy private insurance plans for enrollees through the federal marketplace. Functionally, ARHOME enrollees get the same private network access and provider choice that subsidized marketplace enrollees do — at no premium and minimal cost-sharing.
Eligibility: household income under 138% of the federal poverty level. For 2026, that's roughly $20,800 for a single adult, $28,200 for a couple, $43,000 for a family of four. You qualify regardless of employment status, and the only documentation needed is recent pay stubs or tax records and proof of Arkansas residency.
Enrollment is year-round — you do not need to wait for ACA Open Enrollment to apply for ARHOME. Apply through access.arkansas.gov or any licensed Arkansas insurance agent.
If you earn just above ARHOME — what happens
Between 138% and 250% of FPL, you transition from ARHOME to subsidized marketplace coverage with cost-sharing reductions (CSRs). CSR-enhanced Silver plans give you dramatically lower deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums — often $0–$500 deductibles, where the unsubsidized version of the same plan would have a $5,000+ deductible.
Between 250% and 400% of FPL, you still get a premium subsidy that caps your benchmark Silver premium at 8.5% of household income, but you lose the CSR enhancement. You're still likely to pay $50–$300/month for a real plan.
Above 400% of FPL — the so-called 'subsidy cliff' that used to exist has been removed through 2026 by the Inflation Reduction Act extension. Your premium is still capped at 8.5% of household income, so a $90K household won't pay more than about $640/month for the benchmark plan regardless of how high the unsubsidized price climbs.
Carriers writing in Arkansas for 2026
Five carriers offer individual and ARHOME plans across Arkansas in 2026. Coverage area and network strength vary by county.
- Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) — broadest statewide network, dominant in rural AR
- QualChoice / Centene — strong Little Rock metro, competitive premiums
- Ambetter from Arkansas Health & Wellness — value-tier, narrower network
- Oscar Health — available in select metros, telehealth-forward
- USAble — Arkansas-grown carrier with strong NW Arkansas presence
Three Arkansas-specific gotchas
First, ARHOME re-determination. Your eligibility is reviewed at least annually. If your income rises during the year and crosses 138% FPL, you'll be moved off ARHOME — but you're entitled to a 60-day Special Enrollment Period to pick up a subsidized marketplace plan. Don't let coverage lapse during the transition.
Second, network breadth. ARHOME enrollees and ACA enrollees alike sometimes assume 'subsidized' means 'narrow network'. It doesn't have to — BCBS of Arkansas runs the same statewide network for ARHOME members as for fully-paying customers. Read the SBC (Summary of Benefits and Coverage) before assuming.
Third, work requirements. Arkansas's previous attempt to add Medicaid work requirements (rolled out in 2018, struck down by federal court in 2019) is sometimes still referenced in confusing terms. As of 2026, ARHOME does not have a work requirement. Don't let outdated information scare you away from applying.
How to actually enroll
Three paths, all free:
Online: access.arkansas.gov for ARHOME applications. HealthCare.gov for marketplace plans with subsidies.
By phone: Arkansas DHS at 1-855-372-1084 for ARHOME questions. HealthCare.gov hotline at 1-800-318-2596 for marketplace help.
Through a licensed Arkansas agent: free to you (carriers pay the agent commission). An agent can pre-screen you for ARHOME vs marketplace, run subsidy calculations across all 5 carriers, and flag plan-network gaps in 15 minutes. For families with chronic conditions or specific provider relationships, an agent typically saves $40–$150/month vs. self-enrollment.