Federal officials have approved a six-month extension of Arkansas' ARHOME Medicaid waiver, effective January 1, 2027, according to the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS). The extension provides state leaders additional time to develop a new delivery model for the Medicaid expansion program.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) granted the extension while discussions about the program's future continue, DHS announced. DHS Secretary Janet Mann requested the temporary extension in an August 5 letter to CMS, following collaborative discussions with federal officials.
Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders welcomed the extension as an opportunity to craft a new model in partnership with state lawmakers. "We are thankful to Secretary Kennedy, Dr. Oz, and our other partners at CMS for approving Arkansas’ request for an extension on the ARHOME waiver," Sanders said in a statement. "This gives our administration time to work with our partners in the legislature to develop a new delivery model for Arkansas’ Medicaid expansion that ensures Arkansans in need continue to receive care."
Mann expressed optimism about continued collaboration with federal and state partners. "We look forward to continuing our conversations with our partners as we build a new delivery model for this program, and our commitment to responsible stewardship of resources and connecting eligible Arkansans to quality health care will remain our focus," she said.
DHS emphasized that discussions over the program's delivery model will not interfere with the implementation of new community engagement and work requirements for ARHOME participants. These requirements, which soft-launched on July 1, 2026, are scheduled for full implementation, including penalties for noncompliance, on January 1, 2027.
The requirements apply to Medicaid expansion enrollees aged 19 to 64, unless exempt. According to DHS, exempt groups include pregnant and postpartum women, veterans with disabilities, caregivers, and those with special medical needs.
For additional details about the community engagement requirements, including exemption criteria, residents can visit ar.gov/engage.