Arkansas Medicaid & Elder Care
Arkansas's income-cap Medicaid for seniors has a $2,982 monthly limit and $2,000 asset limit for long-term care. Waivers like ARChoices and Living Choices offer home and assisted living support, though waitlists may exist.
Medicaid Report Card
Overall State Performance Index
Based on CMS Nursing Home Compare + state Medicaid agency data
View Methodology arrow_forwardArkansas Monthly Costs
Arkansas nursing home costs, averaging $6,200 per month, are among the lower costs nationally.
Waiver Programs
ARChoices in Homecare Waiver
Also called: Elder Choices, Alternatives for Adults with Physical Disabilities, Independent Choices
The ARChoices in Homecare Waiver provides home and community-based services to eligible seniors aged 65 and older, and adults with physical disabilities aged 21 and older. Participants must require a Nursing Facility Level of Care to receive support in their homes or communities, aiming to prevent institutionalization.
- check_circle Attendant Care
- check_circle Home-Delivered Meals
- check_circle Adult Day Services
- check_circle Adult Day Health Services
- check_circle Respite Care
- check_circle Environmental Modifications
- check_circle Personal Emergency Response Systems
- check_circle Case Management
insights Program Snapshot
- Enrollment
- Limited slots, waitlist may exist
- Functional criterion
- Nursing Facility Level of Care (NFLOC)
- Administered by
- Arkansas Department of Human Services, Division of Medical Services
- Self-direction
- Yes, through Independent Choices option
2026 Eligibility Requirements
| Criteria | Individual Limit | Married (Both Applying) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Income | $2,982 | $5,964 |
| Asset Limit | $2,000 | $3,000 |
| Home Equity Limit | $752,000 | |
| Level of Care | Nursing Facility Level of Care (NFLOC) | |
Estate Recovery Warning
Arkansas's Medicaid Estate Recovery Program (MERP) is aggressive, seeking reimbursement for long-term care costs from a deceased recipient's estate, including their home. Recovery is delayed if a surviving spouse or certain dependent children reside in the home.
Spend-Down & Asset Protection
PROTECTED ASSETS
COMMON PITFALLS
- warning Look-back Period: Gifts or transfers for less than fair market value made within 60 months of applying can trigger a penalty period of Medicaid ineligibility.
- warning Excess Income: Failing to establish a Miller Trust (Qualified Income Trust) if monthly income exceeds the Medicaid income cap for long-term care.
- warning Joint Accounts: The full balance of joint bank accounts is often counted as the applicant's asset, potentially exceeding asset limits.
First Steps for Families
Locate your ADRC
Contact your local Arkansas Aging and Disability Resource Center.
Gather 5 years of records
Bank statements, deeds, asset transfers for the Medicaid look-back period.
Financial assessment
Consult a Medicaid planner if assets exceed $2,000.
Resource Contact
Arkansas Department of Human Services
How to Apply for Arkansas Long-Term Care Medicaid
Assess Level of Care
Obtain medical certification demonstrating a Nursing Facility Level of Care (NFLOC) need.
Gather Records
Collect comprehensive financial statements for the 60-month look-back period, income verification, and identity documents.
Setup Miller Trust
If monthly income exceeds the Medicaid cap for Nursing Home Medicaid or HCBS Waivers, establish a Qualified Income Trust (Miller Trust).
Submit Application
Apply for Medicaid online via Access Arkansas, in-person at a local Department of Human Services (DHS) office, or by mail.
Interviews
Attend any required caseworker interviews and promptly respond to requests for additional documentation from DHS.
Approval & Care
Receive a final eligibility determination and activate benefits for long-term care services.
Documents You'll Need
Financial Verification
- 60 months of bank statements
- Stock/bond certificates
- Retirement account information
- Proof of all assets
Income Verification
- Social Security award letters
- Pension statements
- VA benefit statements
- Pay stubs
Medical/Identity
- Social Security card
- Medicare card
- Birth certificate or driver's license
- Doctor's clinical assessments
Property/Residency
- Home deed
- Vehicle registration
- Proof of Arkansas residency
Frequently Asked Questions About Arkansas Medicaid
Does Arkansas Medicaid pay for assisted living?
Yes, Arkansas Medicaid helps pay for assisted living through the Living Choices Assisted Living Waiver. This program covers personal care services and some medical oversight in licensed Level II assisted living facilities for eligible seniors who require a Nursing Facility Level of Care. However, it does not cover the cost of room and board.
What is the Arkansas Medicaid income limit for seniors in 2026?
For Nursing Home Medicaid and Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Waivers in Arkansas, the individual income limit for seniors in 2026 is $2,982 per month. If a senior's income exceeds this amount, they may still qualify by establishing a Qualified Income Trust, also known as a Miller Trust.
How long is the HCBS waiver waitlist in Arkansas?
The ARChoices in Homecare Waiver, which provides Home and Community Based Services in Arkansas, is not an entitlement program and has a limited number of participant slots. When these slots are full, a waiting list forms. There is no specific published data on the current waitlist count or typical wait time, so the severity is unknown.
Will Medicaid take my parent's house in Arkansas?
While Arkansas Medicaid generally does not force the sale of a primary residence during a recipient's lifetime, the Arkansas Medicaid Estate Recovery Program (MERP) can place a lien on the home and seek reimbursement for long-term care costs after the recipient's death. Recovery is typically delayed if a surviving spouse or a child under 21, or a blind or permanently disabled child, resides in the home.
Can I be paid to care for my parent through Arkansas Medicaid?
Yes, Arkansas Medicaid offers a consumer-directed option called 'Independent Choices' within the ARChoices in Homecare Waiver. This allows eligible participants to hire and manage their caregivers, which can include family members or friends, to provide personal care services. Specific guidelines and regulations apply to this option.
Medicaid vs Medicare for long-term care in Arkansas?
Medicare is federal health insurance primarily for individuals aged 65 and older, but it generally does not cover long-term custodial care. In contrast, Arkansas Medicaid is a joint state-federal program designed for low-income individuals and does cover long-term care services in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and in-home settings for eligible seniors who meet financial and medical criteria.
TOPICAL GUIDES — HOW MEDICAID WORKS
EXPLORE ARKANSAS
Last updated: April 24, 2026. Sources: Arkansas Department of Human Services, CMS Nursing Home Compare, Genworth 2024 Cost of Care Survey. Eligibility rules are set by each state Medicaid agency and update annually. We cite the agency name, statute, or CMS data source for every figure on this page; see our methodology and editor.