Arkansas has several programs available to Arkansas resident seniors and older adults in need. The programs and applications are handled through the Arkansas Division of Medical Services and the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) which administers the state’s Arkansas program. All Medicaid programs have asset limits, and some have income limits.
Arkansas has several programs available to seniors in need. The principal program available to seniors is the Arkansas Vendor Medicaid program, which provides assistance for Arkansas resident seniors (U.S. citizens and qualified non-citizens) in need of nursing home/long-term care. Under Vendor Medicaid, Medicaid applicants must meet strict asset requirements; if the resident is over assets, then those assets will be subject to spend down until the resident’s assets (bank accounts, etc.) are under the asset limit and income limit. The senior will then apply for Medicaid in Arkansas, and the senior will achieve Medicaid eligibility; the resident is then required to co-pay all of their household income (Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and pensions) to the nursing home and the Medicaid program will cover 100% of the remaining nursing home costs.
In addition, after qualification for Vendor Medicaid, the Medicaid beneficiary will also qualify to be a Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB), which will pay all Medicare copays, Medicare premiums and other payments related to healthcare coverage, medical insurance, prescription drug and medical bills.
For seniors in need of an assisted living facility or other residential care facility, Medicaid does provide assistance for payment for care, but on a much more limited basis. Cash Grant Medicaid (Supplemental Nursing Care (SNC)) will provide a monthly grant (of $300 to $500/month) to assist with the senior’s monthly payment to the care facility.
Finally, Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) provide in home services for Arkansas seniors in need. The qualification requirements are identical to the qualifications for Vendor nursing facility Medicaid.
Arkansas provides other programs for non-seniors including SNAP, CHIP, Arkansas for pregnant woman, Arkids B, Arseniors, Arkids First, Archoices in Homecare, Arhome, Arkansas Works Medicaid for the medically needy and for people with disabilities. Arkansas Medicaid is available for a wide variety of citizens in need who have limited financial resources. If necessary, investigate the possibilities for your family.
All of these programs have been in place for decades (were not part of the recent Medicaid expansion), have well-entrenched infrastructures and have assisted thousands of Arkansas seniors. Access.Arkansas.gov and healthcare.gov are a great place to start.
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