ARHOME, Arkansas's Medicaid expansion program for adults ages 19 to 64, covers approximately 217,000 Arkansans in 2026. Losing ARHOME can happen for several reasons: your income rose above 138% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), you missed an annual redetermination paperwork deadline, you failed to update contact information and DHS could not reach you, or starting in 2027 (with a soft rollout beginning July 1, 2026) you did not meet the new community engagement and work requirement of 80 hours per month. Whatever the reason, Arkansas law and federal ACA rules give you specific tools to respond. Most importantly, losing Medicaid qualifies as a qualifying life event under the ACA, triggering a 90-day Special Enrollment Period (SEP) at healthcare.gov, longer than the standard 60-day SEP for other coverage losses. The ACA Marketplace in Arkansas uses healthcare.gov, and six private insurers offered 2026 plans including Ambetter and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arkansas. With the 2026 ACA subsidy cliff back after enhanced premium tax credits expired January 1, 2026, subsidy eligibility runs from 100% to 400% FPL, and many Arkansans who earn too much for ARHOME still qualify for meaningful premium tax credits on Marketplace plans.
Arkansas residents facing ARHOME termination in 2026 have three primary paths: appeal the termination if it appears incorrect, re-apply for ARHOME immediately if circumstances have changed, or pivot to an ACA Marketplace plan at healthcare.gov using the 90-day SEP window. Children under 19 remain separately eligible for ARKids First (Arkansas's combined Medicaid and CHIP program for children) at incomes up to 211% FPL, so an adult losing ARHOME does not necessarily mean losing coverage for the whole household. For adults in the 100% to 138% FPL range who lose ARHOME and do not immediately re-qualify, the Marketplace offers Silver plans with cost-sharing reductions (CSRs) that dramatically lower deductibles and copays. For anyone under 100% FPL in Arkansas (a non-expansion state that uses the ARHOME waiver for expansion adults), the coverage situation is more complex: there is no ACA Marketplace subsidy below 100% FPL, and traditional Arkansas Medicaid for non-elderly adults without disabilities remains very limited. This page covers every scenario, the documents you need, and the concrete steps to take within the 90-day window after losing ARHOME Medicaid in Arkansas in 2026.
7 Steps to Get Coverage
Common Mistakes That Cost People Thousands
The most costly mistakes Arkansas residents make after losing ARHOME Medicaid in 2026:
- Missing the 90-day SEP window. After your ARHOME termination date, you have 90 days (not 60) to enroll in a Marketplace plan. Many people incorrectly assume the standard 60-day window applies and apply too late, then face a gap until the ACA Open Enrollment Period in November 2026.
- Not appealing an incorrect termination. About 76% of Arkansas's Medicaid unwinding disenrollments were procedural, meaning they resulted from paperwork failures, not actual income changes. Filing a free appeal within 10 days of your notice keeps benefits active during the review and frequently succeeds.
- Assuming children lost coverage too. An adult losing ARHOME does not automatically disenroll children from ARKids First. ARKids First is a separate program with separate income limits (up to 211% FPL for ARKids B) and year-round enrollment. Check the children's coverage status separately at access.arkansas.gov.
- Reporting last year's income instead of projected 2026 income when enrolling in Marketplace plans. ACA subsidies are based on your projected annual income for the current year. If your circumstances changed (job loss, hours reduction, divorce), use your realistic 2026 income projection, not your 2025 tax return income.
- Choosing a Marketplace plan without checking whether your current Arkansas providers are in-network. ARHOME uses plans from Ambetter and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arkansas. Marketplace plans from the same insurers may have different network configurations. Confirm that your current primary care doctor, specialists, and any Arkansas hospitals you use accept the specific Marketplace plan you select.
- Not updating your contact information with Arkansas DHS before the annual redetermination cycle. Most procedural disenrollments in Arkansas happen because DHS cannot reach enrollees by mail or phone. Update your address, phone, and email at access.arkansas.gov to prevent future ARHOME terminations.
ACA Marketplace vs Re-enrollment in ARHOME: Which Should You Pursue First?
ARHOME is the right first stop if your income dropped back below 138% of the 2026 Federal Poverty Level (below $22,025 for a single person or below $45,540 for a family of four in the 48 contiguous states). ARHOME charges no premium and covers comprehensive benefits including doctor visits, hospital care, prescriptions, mental health, and dental through private Qualified Health Plans from Ambetter and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arkansas. Arkansas DHS accepts re-applications year-round at access.arkansas.gov, and coverage can start the first day of the following month for most applicants.
ACA Marketplace plans at healthcare.gov become the primary path for Arkansans whose income falls between 100% and 400% FPL (roughly $15,960 to $63,840 for a single person in 2026) and who do not re-qualify for ARHOME. Arkansas does not have its own state-based exchange; residents use the federal marketplace at healthcare.gov. The 2026 ACA subsidy cliff returned after enhanced premium tax credits from the American Rescue Plan Act expired January 1, 2026, meaning subsidy eligibility now cuts off at 400% FPL rather than being unlimited. Most Arkansans earning 100% to 250% FPL qualify for both premium tax credits AND cost-sharing reductions on Silver plans, dramatically lowering deductibles and out-of-pocket costs. Choosing a Silver plan unlocks CSRs that can reduce a standard $6,000 to $8,000 deductible down to $500 to $2,000 for households under 250% FPL.
Arkansans under 100% FPL who lost ARHOME face the most difficult situation. Traditional Medicaid in Arkansas does not cover non-elderly adults without disabilities outside of the ARHOME expansion waiver, and ACA subsidies do not apply below 100% FPL. If your income is under the 2026 poverty line ($15,960 for one person), re-applying for ARHOME immediately remains the top priority. If your income truly falls in this range and you do not qualify for ARHOME, contact the Arkansas DHS at 1-800-482-8988 to explore whether any other Medicaid category applies, including coverage for pregnant women, people with disabilities, or caretaker relatives.
ARHOME Work Requirement 2026: What You Need to Know
Arkansas DHS launched a soft rollout of ARHOME community engagement and work requirements on July 1, 2026, with enforcement penalties beginning January 1, 2027. ARHOME enrollees ages 19 to 64 must complete at least 80 hours per month (20 hours per week) of qualifying activities, which include employment, vocational training, job skills training, educational classes, community service, or job search activities. Reporting is done through access.arkansas.gov or the MyDHS mobile app, and DHS will use automated employer data matching to pre-populate compliance information for many enrollees.
Broad exemptions apply under the 2026 ARHOME community engagement requirement. Pregnant women are exempt. Individuals determined medically frail or with serious medical conditions or disabilities are exempt. Full-time students are exempt. Caregivers of dependents under 6 or a family member with a disability are exempt. People already working 80 or more hours per month are automatically compliant. If you lost ARHOME specifically because of the new work requirement and believe you qualify for an exemption, file an appeal within 30 days at access.arkansas.gov and request an exemption review. Providing medical documentation or proof of a disability or caregiving role often resolves these cases without a formal hearing.
Documents Needed for Arkansas Medicaid Loss SEP and Marketplace Enrollment in 2026
Arkansas Medicaid loss documentation has specific requirements at healthcare.gov since May 2025. Submit your DHS termination letter as the primary proof of loss, which serves as the HIPAA certificate of creditable coverage for the Arkansas Marketplace SEP. If you did not receive a paper letter, download a benefits history statement from access.arkansas.gov that shows your ARHOME coverage end date. Social Security numbers for all household members are required for both ARHOME re-enrollment and Marketplace enrollment. Proof of income includes recent pay stubs (last 2 months), an employer letter, or a self-employment income statement for self-employed Arkansans. For children enrolling in ARKids First, a birth certificate is required for initial enrollment. For a change in household size, submit birth certificates, adoption papers, or court documents as applicable. Upload all documents directly to your healthcare.gov account in the SEP verification step, or mail to the Marketplace at the address shown in your healthcare.gov account.
Arkansas Income Limits for Medicaid and ACA Subsidies in 2026
Arkansas uses 2026 Federal Poverty Level guidelines for ARHOME and ACA subsidy eligibility calculations. ARHOME's 138% FPL cutoff, ACA's 100% FPL floor for subsidies, and ACA's 400% FPL subsidy ceiling are the three critical thresholds. For 2026, these thresholds use HHS ASPE poverty guidelines published in early 2026, with the standard annual per-person increment of $5,680 above the base household-of-1 figure of $15,960. The household-size table below covers all standard Arkansas household sizes for both ARHOME eligibility and ACA Marketplace subsidy eligibility in 2026.
Arkansas ARHOME and ACA Marketplace Income Limits by Household Size, 2026 (48 contiguous states + DC)| Household size | 100% FPL (ACA subsidy floor) | 138% FPL (ARHOME ceiling) | 250% FPL (CSR Silver cut-off) | 400% FPL (ACA subsidy ceiling) |
|---|
| 1 | $15,960 | $22,025 | $39,900 | $63,840 |
| 2 | $21,640 | $29,863 | $54,100 | $86,560 |
| 3 | $27,320 | $37,702 | $68,300 | $109,280 |
| 4 | $33,000 | $45,540 | $82,500 | $132,000 |
| 5 | $38,680 | $53,378 | $96,700 | $154,720 |
| 6 | $44,360 | $61,217 | $110,900 | $177,440 |
| 7 | $50,040 | $69,055 | $125,100 | $200,160 |
| 8 | $55,720 | $76,894 | $139,300 | $222,880 |
| Each additional person | + $5,680 | + $7,838 | + $14,200 | + $22,720 |
Alaska and Hawaii use higher FPL thresholds. ARKids First covers children up to 211% FPL; ARKids B (CHIP) covers children between 142% and 211% FPL. The 400% FPL ACA subsidy cliff returned for 2026 after enhanced PTCs expired January 1, 2026. CSR Silver plans available only through healthcare.gov for households between 100% and 250% FPL.
Source: HHS ASPE 2026 Federal Poverty Guidelines; CMS ACA premium tax credit thresholds; Arkansas DHS ARHOME program rules
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to enroll in a new plan after losing ARHOME Medicaid in Arkansas?
You have 90 days from the date your ARHOME coverage ends to enroll in an ACA Marketplace plan at healthcare.gov using the Medicaid-loss Special Enrollment Period (SEP). This 90-day window is longer than the standard 60-day SEP that applies to most other qualifying life events. For example, if your ARHOME ended June 1, 2026, your SEP window runs through August 30, 2026. Medicaid and ARKids First do not have an SEP deadline and accept applications year-round.
What if I think my ARHOME Medicaid was wrongly terminated?
File a fair hearing appeal within 30 days of the termination notice date by logging into access.arkansas.gov, calling 1-800-482-8988, or mailing a written request to the DHS Office of Appeals and Hearings. If you appeal within 10 days of the notice, your ARHOME benefits typically remain active while the review proceeds. About 76% of Arkansas Medicaid unwinding disenrollments were procedural (paperwork-related, not actual income changes), so appeals frequently succeed, especially if you simply did not receive or respond to redetermination mail.
Do my children lose ARKids First coverage when I lose ARHOME?
Not automatically. ARKids First is a separate program with its own income limits, covering children under 19 at incomes up to 211% FPL. ARKids A (Medicaid for children) is free up to 142% FPL; ARKids B (CHIP) charges minimal copays up to 211% FPL. An adult losing ARHOME does not trigger automatic disenrollment of children from ARKids. Check your children's status separately at access.arkansas.gov. If your children also lost coverage, re-apply immediately at access.arkansas.gov or by calling 1-888-ARKids-1, as there is no waiting period.
What documents do I need to prove ARHOME loss for the healthcare.gov SEP?
Since May 2025, healthcare.gov requires documentation of Medicaid loss unless its systems can automatically verify the termination. The best document is your Arkansas DHS termination letter, which functions as a HIPAA certificate of creditable coverage. If you did not receive a paper letter, download a benefits history statement from access.arkansas.gov showing your ARHOME coverage end date. Upload the document in your healthcare.gov SEP verification step, or mail it to the Marketplace. Missing or late documentation is the top reason SEP applications are delayed in Arkansas.
Can I re-enroll in ARHOME if my income dropped back below 138% FPL?
Yes. ARHOME accepts applications year-round with no enrollment period deadline at access.arkansas.gov or by calling 1-800-482-8988. The 2026 ARHOME income limit is 138% of the Federal Poverty Level, which is $22,025 for a single person or $45,540 for a family of four. Coverage generally starts the first day of the month following approval. There is no asset test for ARHOME; only income is counted using MAGI rules.
What is the ARHOME work requirement and could it cause me to lose coverage?
Arkansas DHS launched a soft rollout of ARHOME community engagement and work requirements on July 1, 2026. Enrollees ages 19 to 64 must complete 80 hours per month of qualifying activities including work, job training, education, volunteer service, or job search. Enforcement penalties (suspension of benefits) do not begin until January 1, 2027. Broad exemptions apply: pregnant women, people with serious medical conditions or disabilities, caregivers of young children or family members with disabilities, and full-time students are all exempt. If you believe you qualify for an exemption, report it at access.arkansas.gov and save documentation.
How much will an ACA Marketplace plan cost me after losing ARHOME in Arkansas?
Average 2025 to 2026 Arkansas Marketplace subsidy was approximately $779 per month, leaving the average enrollee paying about $79 per month. Your actual cost depends on household size, income relative to the 2026 FPL, and the plan you select. Most Arkansans earning 100% to 250% FPL qualify for both premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions on Silver plans, which can reduce deductibles from $6,000 to $8,000 down to $500 to $2,000. Use the plan comparison tool at healthcare.gov or call the Marketplace call center at 1-800-318-2596 to get an accurate subsidy estimate before enrolling.
What happens if I miss the 90-day SEP window after losing ARHOME in Arkansas?
Missing the 90-day Medicaid-loss SEP means you cannot enroll in a Marketplace plan until the next ACA Open Enrollment Period, which runs November 1 through January 15 for 2027 coverage. Coverage under the next OEP would not begin until January 1, 2027, leaving a coverage gap. However, Medicaid and ARKids First do not have enrollment deadlines. If your income drops back below 138% FPL at any time, you can re-enroll in ARHOME immediately through access.arkansas.gov. If you experience another qualifying life event during the gap (such as a move to a new county, marriage, or birth of a child), that event triggers a new 60-day SEP for Marketplace enrollment.
