What is the ARKids B limit?

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The income limit for ARKids B in Arkansas is 211% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) (or up to 216% FPL with earned income deductions/disregards).

ARKids B Monthly Income Limits by Household Size

According to the Arkansas Department of Human Services Medicaid Quick Reference Chart, the monthly gross income limits for ARKids B are:

  • Family Size 1: $2,806.30 (or $2,872.80 with deductions)
  • Family Size 2: $3,805.03 (or $3,895.20 with deductions)
  • Family Size 3: $4,803.77 (or $4,917.60 with deductions)
  • Family Size 4: $5,802.50 (or $5,940.00 with deductions)
  • Family Size 5: $6,801.23 (or $6,942.40 with deductions)
  • Add $998.73 (or $1,022.40 with deductions) for each additional family member.

Key Details About ARKids B:

  • Age Limit: For children under the age of 19.
  • Insurance Status: Children must be uninsured and lack access to (or cannot use) employer-sponsored or group health insurance.
  • Asset Test: There is no asset or resource limit for ARKids B.
  • Out-of-Pocket Cap: ARKids B features an annual out-of-pocket spending limit capped at 5% of the family's gross annual income.
  • Copayments: Unlike ARKids A (which is free), ARKids B requires small copayments for certain services (such as $10 for office visits and $5 for prescriptions, though preventive care like well-child checkups has no copay).

Is ARKids A or B better?

ARKids A is better in terms of cost and coverage because it has zero out-of-pocket expenses and no copays, but you cannot choose which one you get; eligibility is strictly based on your household income.

ARKids A

  • Cost: No premiums, deductibles, or copayments for children's services.
  • Coverage: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision with no service caps.
  • Income Level: For lower-income families meeting standard Medicaid thresholds.

ARKids B

  • Cost: No monthly premiums or deductibles, but requires a $10 copay for doctor visits and has an out-of-pocket cap of 5% of your family's annual gross income.
  • Coverage: Similar health benefits, but includes yearly limits on things like home health visits and medical supplies.
  • Income Level: For families who make too much money for ARKids A, but still need affordable insurance.

You can check specific rules and apply through the Arkansas Department of Human Services.

What is the income limit for Medicaid in Arkansas in 2026?

In 2026, the general income limit for non-elderly adults under Arkansas's expansion program (ARHOME) is 138% of the federal poverty level (FPL), which is about $1,835 per month ($22,025 per year) for a single person and $3,795 per month for a family of four.

Income limits vary depending on your household size and the specific group you belong to:

ARHOME (Adults 19–64)

  • 1 person: $1,835 / month
  • 2 people: $2,488 / month
  • 3 people: $3,142 / month
  • 4 people: $3,795 / month
  • There is no asset test for this group.

Long-Term Care & Nursing Home Medicaid

  • Individual limit: $2,982 per month in gross income (300% of the SSI Federal Benefit Rate).
  • Asset limit: $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for a couple.

Children and Pregnant Women

  • ARKids A (Children 0–18): Up to 142% FPL.
  • ARKids B (Children CHIP): Up to 211% FPL.
  • Pregnant Women: Up to 209% FPL.

You can submit an application or check your exact eligibility online through Access Arkansas.

How long can kids stay on ARKids?

Children can stay on ARKids First until they turn 19 years old, provided they continue to meet the state's income and residency requirements.

Coverage Duration & Rules

  • Age Limit: Coverage ends when the child turns 19.
  • Renewal Periods: Eligibility is reviewed every 12 months.
  • Continuous Eligibility: ARKids B (the CHIP program) offers 12-month continuous coverage, meaning the child stays covered for a full year even if family income changes. ARKids A (traditional Medicaid) generally requires families to report income changes immediately, which can affect ongoing eligibility (except for infants under one).
  • Transition: Once a child turns 19, they may transition to adult healthcare programs like ARHOME if they meet the adult income rules.

Does ARKids B cover dental?

Yes, ARKids B covers comprehensive dental services for children, though it requires specific co-payments.

What is Covered

  • Routine care: Cleanings every six months, exams, X-rays, and fluoride treatments.
  • Restorative care: Fillings, extractions, sealants, and crowns on baby teeth.
  • Orthodontics: Braces and other orthodontic services are covered only if they are deemed medically necessary for severe dental problems (not cosmetic), and the treatment plan must be pre-approved by Arkansas Medicaid.

Costs and Limits

  • Co-pays: ARKids B requires a small co-payment (typically $10) for routine dental and orthodontic visits.
  • Out-of-pocket maximum: Total out-of-pocket costs for ARKids B are capped at 5% of your family's gross annual income.
  • Learn more details on benefits through the Arkansas Department of Human Services.

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9 related questions found

What is the income limit for ARKids B?

The income limit for ARKids B in Arkansas is family income between 142% and 211% (plus a 5% disregard, totaling up to 216%) of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).

Eligibility Details

  • Age limit: Children must be 18 years old or younger (under 19).
  • Insurance rule: Children must have been uninsured for the preceding 90 days, or lack access to affordable employer-sponsored group health insurance (unless insurance was lost involuntarily).
  • Asset test: There is no asset or resource limit for ARKids B.

Cost Sharing

  • There are no monthly premiums or deductibles.
  • Small co-payments apply to certain visits (such as a $10 routine doctor office visit).
  • The annual out-of-pocket cost is capped at 5% of the family's gross income.

Do you have to reapply for ARKids every year?

Yes, you must renew your child's ARKids coverage every year.

Renewal Process

  • Annual Review: Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) requires an annual review to check if your child still qualifies.
  • Renewal Notice: You should receive a renewal notice or packet in the mail 1 to 2 months before your coverage ends.
  • Automatic Renewal: If your information is already current and verified in the system, the renewal may happen automatically. Otherwise, you must fill out the paperwork and return it before the deadline.

How to Submit Your Renewal

  • Online: Use the Access Arkansas portal.
  • Phone: Call the DHS helpline at 1-855-372-1084.
  • Mail or In-Person: Send or drop off your completed forms at your local DHS county office.

If you miss the deadline and your coverage lapses, you will have to completely reapply and reselect a primary care physician.

How much can you make before losing Medicaid?

In expansion states, single adults generally lose standard Medicaid if their income exceeds 138% of the federal poverty level, which is about $20,120 per year for an individual in 2026.

Income Limits by Household and State Type

  • Expansion States: Covers non-elderly adults up to 138% of the federal poverty level (FPL). For a single person, that limit is roughly $20,120 a year ($1,731 a month). For a family of four, it is about $45,540 a year.
  • Non-Expansion States: Limits are much lower and often apply only to parents, children, or people with specific disabilities or senior status.
  • Children and Pregnant Individuals: Higher income limits apply. Pregnant individuals and children often qualify at higher percentages of the FPL (ranging from 163% to over 255% depending on age and state rules).

What Happens When Your Income Rises

  • Marketplace Subsidies: If your income rises just above the Medicaid limit (between 138% and 250% FPL), you can transition to plans on Healthcare.gov with heavy tax credits that lower your monthly costs.
  • Disabled Individuals: If you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and start working, programs like Section 1619(b) let you keep Medicaid even if your earnings push your cash benefits to zero, provided your income stays below your state's specific threshold.

What are the new rules for Medicaid in Arkansas?

Arkansas is implementing a new work and community engagement requirement for non-exempt adults enrolled in the state's Medicaid expansion program, ARHOME.

The Core Requirement

  • Monthly Hours: Enrollees must spend at least 80 hours each month (about 20 hours a week) on qualifying activities.
  • Approved Activities: Working (earning at least $580 a month), doing volunteer or community service, participating in job-training programs, or attending an educational program like college or a GED course.

Timeline

  • Soft Launch (July 1, 2026): The Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) started testing automated compliance verification and notifying enrollees. There are no coverage penalties or benefit losses for failing to meet the hours during this phase.
  • Full Enforcement (January 1, 2027): Full implementation begins. Non-compliant beneficiaries who do not meet requirements or qualify for an exemption will face suspension of benefits if they fail to show compliance within 30 days.

Who It Affects & Exemptions

  • Who is impacted: Able-bodied adults aged 19 through 64 enrolled in ARHOME.
  • Who is exempt: Pregnant and postpartum women, individuals with disabilities, disabled veterans, primary caregivers, and those with special medical needs.

What You Should Do

  • Keep your contact information (mailing address, phone number, and email) up to date through Access.Arkansas.gov to receive important status notices and alerts from DHS.

What is the highest income to qualify for Medicaid?

The highest income to qualify for Medicaid depends on your state, household size, and category, but in states that expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, non-disabled adults qualify with an income up to 138% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).

For example, based on 2026 federal guidelines for the continental U.S., 138% of the FPL equals roughly:

  • Single adult: About $22,000 per year (or $1,833 per month)
  • Family of three: About $37,700 per year (or $3,142 per month)

Income Limits by Category

  • Expansion Adults (Non-disabled): 138% FPL in expansion states; non-expansion states have much lower or strict non-income-based limits for adults without children.
  • Children and Pregnant Women: Much higher limits, often ranging from 200% to over 375% of the FPL depending on the state.
  • Long-Term Care / Nursing Home / Aged & Disabled: Often capped around 300% of the SSI Federal Benefit Rate (about $2,982 per month for an individual in 2026), though individuals over these limits can often still qualify using specialized income trusts.

You can check specific rules and portals through HealthCare.gov or your state's official Medicaid agency.