LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KATV) — Arkansas officials are preparing to roll out new work requirements for some Medicaid recipients through the state’s ARHOME program, with enforcement set to begin next year.
The Arkansas Department of Human Services says the changes could impact thousands of Arkansans enrolled in the state’s Medicaid expansion program.
Beginning July 1, DHS will start a “soft launch” phase to check whether recipients meet the new requirements or qualify for an exemption. Officials say no one will lose coverage during this first phase. Full enforcement is scheduled to begin January 1, 2027.
Under the program, certain adults ages 19 to 64 will need to show they are working, searching for work, attending school, or participating in job training to keep their health coverage.
Independent Medicare Insurance Agent Dustin Etheredge says while the idea may sound reasonable, he worries some recipients could lose coverage simply because they miss important notices.
“It’s a nice idea. I think there’s a lot of unintended consequences,” Etheredge said.
Etheredge says communication challenges are common among Medicaid recipients, especially when people frequently change phone numbers or addresses.
“They get a new phone, they get a new phone number, so staying in touch with these individuals can be very challenging, for our office and for the government in general,” he said.
DHS officials say they are trying to prevent that from happening by hosting town halls across the state to educate recipients before the requirements officially take effect.
“We don’t want individuals to lose coverage so we’re trying to let people know the requirement is coming,” said Mary Franklin, Director of the Division of County Operations for Arkansas DHS.
The state says several groups will be exempt from the requirements, including pregnant women, some caregivers, disabled veterans, and people with certain medical conditions.
DHS also says a vendor will help recipients navigate the process, including uploading documents and verifying eligibility.
“We’re going to have a vendor that is going to help support that process and do outreach to beneficiaries, be available to help beneficiaries upload information, and generally assist,” Franklin said.
Recipients will have to renew eligibility every six months under the new system. People who fail to meet the requirements could have their benefits suspended after a 30-day warning period.
Etheredge says the success of the program will depend on how smoothly it is implemented.
“They’ve got some good ideas, but we’ve got to see how the rubber meets the road,” he said.
DHS says additional town halls will be held around Arkansas to answer questions and help recipients prepare for the upcoming changes.