Arkansas Medicaid Waiver

Clients often ask if there is an Arkansas Medicaid Waiver program.  Actually, there are several.  A Medicaid Waiver is a way for each state to use Medicaid funds to pay for services needed by individuals with disabilities.  The programs allow the state to pay for services which are provided within the community, as opposed to an institution.

What Programs Are Available in Arkansas?

There are four Medicaid waiver programs available in Arkansas: Alternatives For Adults With Physical Disabilities Waiver (“AAPD”), Alternative Community Services Waiver (“ACS” or “DDS-ACS”), Elder Choices Waiver, and Living Choices / Assisted Living Facility Waiver (“ALF”).  The Arkansas Division of Medicaid Services and Division of Developmental Disabilities Services handles Alternative Community Services Waivers.

There are also some programs provided by The Arkansas Division of Developmental Disabilities Services, which include DDS Alternative Community Services (ACS) Waiver, Developmental Day Treatment Clinic Services (DDTCS), First Connections- Arkansas Part C Early Intervention Program, Early Childhood Program, Title V- Children with Special Heath Care Needs, and the Foster Grandparent Program.

Who Qualifies for these waivers?

In Arkansas, an individual must have a severe, chronic developmental disability with an age of onset before age 22.  However, the person can start receiving Medicaid Waiver services at any age.  There are also income limits for receiving these services.  A disabled individual can have no more than $2,200 per month in income, in order to qualify for Medicaid Waiver services in Arkansas.

Unfortunately, there is a waiting list for these services in Arkansas.  There are nearly 3,000 people on the waiting list, so disabled individuals can expect to wait more than 10 years for home and community based services.

What Services Are Offered through the Arkansas Medicaid waiver program?

There are a variety of services available through Arkansas’s Medicaid Waiver program.  Services typically include:

• case management;
• consultation services and crisis intervention;
• supported living;
• residential habilitation supports;
• companion and activities therapies;
• direct care supervision;
• community experiences;
• respite care;
• non-medical transportation;
• supported employment;
• adaptive equipment and environmental modifications;
• specialized medical supports and supplemental supports.

Arkansas also offers community group homes, with no more than fifteen residents at a time.  There are more than 1,000 state-owned institutions in Arkansas.  There is a waiting list to get into these institutions, as well.

How to Select A Provider

Arkansas Division of Developmental Disabilities Services has a little over 100 Certified and Licensed Provider agencies.  In Arkansas, you have the freedom to choose any provider you like, as long as they are certified for the service and work in your area. In fact, there is a “Zero Reject Policy”. Any enrolled provider you choose must accept you as a waiver individual.

If you have questions regarding Medicaid waivers, or any other Medicaid planning needs, please contact Wilcox Attorneys, PA online or by calling us at (479) 443-0062.