Arkansas Rules & Regulations for Medicaid Patients

The Medicaid program in Arkansas is run by the state's Department of Human Services (DHS). The program uses state and federal funds to help people with low income pay for medical care. Medicaid helps enrollees pay their bills by making payments directly to doctors, hospitals and other health care providers who take part in the Medicaid program.

To Apply

• To apply for Medicaid in Arkansas, you must go to the DHS office in the county where you live. If you cannot get to the office, you may send a friend or relative to apply for you. The county office will determine if you are eligible for the program. Application forms are available online. In addition to the form, the DHS office will want to see a birth certificate or other proof of age, paycheck stubs, a Social Security card, letters or forms that show your income, insurance policies and bank statements or papers that show how much you have in assets.

To Qualify

• Arkansas looks at many factors to determine you are eligible for Medicaid. It will consider your age, your income and how much property you own. According to state reports, most people who get full Medicaid benefits tend to be age 65 and older or under 19, blind, disabled, pregnant, living in a nursing home, under age 21 and in foster care, or in need of certain home-based and community-based services. You may also qualify if you have breast or cervical cancer, or if you're caring for a child with an absent, disabled or unemployed parent.

Primary Care Physicians

• If you are enrolled in the Arkansas Medicaid program, you need a primary care physician (PCP) to oversee your medical care, unless you have special circumstances, such as being on Medicare or living in a nursing home. PCPs provide the bulk of health care and keep patient records. If they determine you should see a specialist, you must get a referral in order for Medicaid to pay for the treatment.

Medicare and Medicaid

• Some people are enrolled in both the federal Medicare program and the state Medicaid program. When someone has both plans, Medicare becomes the primary coverage and pays first. Medicaid may pick up expenses such as hospital fees and skilled nursing care charges that Medicare does not pay.