Arkansas offers two tiers of children's health coverage under the ARKids First program. ARKids A is full Medicaid for lower-income families, and ARKids B is the state's Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for families with slightly higher incomes. The programs share the same application and the same provider network, but they differ in income thresholds, cost-sharing requirements, and a few coverage details. This guide explains exactly where each program starts and stops, what you pay under each tier, and how to apply.
What Is ARKids First?
ARKids First is Arkansas's umbrella program for children's health coverage. It covers children under age 19 whose families meet income requirements. The Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) administers both tiers.
ARKids A is straight Medicaid, funded jointly by the state and federal government with no cost to the family. ARKids B is CHIP, which uses a separate federal funding stream and allows modest cost-sharing. Both programs use the same application at Access.Arkansas.gov and the same provider network statewide.
Neither program has an asset test. You do not have to report savings, a car, or property to qualify.
ARKids A vs ARKids B: Income Limits 2026
The key dividing line between the two tiers is your family's income as a percentage of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). ARKids A covers children in families with income up to 147% FPL. ARKids B picks up where ARKids A leaves off, covering children in families with income from 147% up to 216% FPL.
The table below shows the 2026 monthly and annual income limits for each tier by household size.
ARKids A Income Limits (147% FPL)
| Household Size | Monthly Income Limit | Annual Income Limit |
|---|
| 1 | approximately $1,956 | approximately $23,461 |
| 2 | approximately $2,651 | approximately $31,811 |
| 3 | approximately $3,347 | approximately $40,160 |
| 4 | approximately $4,043 | approximately $48,510 |
| Each additional person | add approximately $723 | add approximately $8,680 |
ARKids B Income Limits (216% FPL)
| Household Size | Monthly Income Limit | Annual Income Limit |
|---|
| 1 | approximately $2,873 | approximately $34,474 |
| 2 | approximately $3,895 | approximately $46,742 |
| 3 | approximately $4,918 | approximately $59,011 |
| 4 | approximately $5,940 | approximately $71,280 |
| Each additional person | add approximately $1,063 | add approximately $12,750 |
Income is counted as gross household income before taxes. If your income falls between the ARKids A and ARKids B columns, your child is eligible for ARKids B. If it is above the ARKids B column, your child does not qualify for either tier but may qualify for coverage through the ACA Marketplace.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | ARKids A | ARKids B |
|---|
| Program type | Medicaid | CHIP |
| Income range | 0 to 147% FPL | 147% to 216% FPL |
| Monthly premium | None | None |
| Office visit copay | None | $10 per visit (typically) |
| Annual out-of-pocket cap | None | 5% of gross family income |
| Prior insurance wait | Not required | 90-day uninsured period required* |
| Asset test | None | None |
| Continuous eligibility | 12 months (infants under 1) | 12 months |
*The 90-day wait is waived if your child lost coverage involuntarily, such as when a parent lost a job.
Coverage: What Both Programs Include
Both ARKids A and ARKids B cover a broad set of services. The difference is that ARKids B charges a copay for most services while ARKids A does not.
Covered services under both tiers include:
- Well-child checkups and preventive care
- Doctor office visits and specialist visits
- Emergency room and hospital care
- Prescription drugs
- Dental checkups and approved orthodontic services
- Eye exams and vision care
- Mental health and behavioral health counseling
- Substance use disorder treatment
- Lab tests and X-rays
- Physical, occupational, and speech therapy
Both tiers also cover EPSDT (Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment), which is the federal standard for children's Medicaid. Under EPSDT, ARKids A must cover any medically necessary treatment even if it is not on the standard benefit list.
Cost-Sharing Under ARKids B
ARKids B has no premiums, but it does have copays. A typical office visit copay is $10. The exact copay amount depends on the service.
Arkansas caps total annual out-of-pocket costs for ARKids B families at 5% of the family's annual gross income. For a family of four earning $48,000 per year, the maximum out-of-pocket limit would be $2,400 for the year across all covered services. Once a family hits that cap, ARKids B pays 100% for the rest of the year.
ARKids A families pay nothing. There are no copays and no deductibles.
The 90-Day Rule for ARKids B
If your child currently has or recently had private insurance, they may not qualify for ARKids B right away. DHS requires that the child be uninsured for at least 90 days before enrolling in ARKids B.
Three situations bypass this wait:
- The family lost employer-sponsored coverage involuntarily (layoff, job loss, employer stopped offering coverage).
- The employer's insurance costs more than 5% of the family's gross income (the "cost-effective" exception).
- The child is moving from ARKids A to ARKids B due to an income change.
If you are unsure whether your situation qualifies for a waiver, call the ARKids hotline at 1-888-474-8275 before you apply.
Which Tier Will My Child Get?
You do not choose a tier when you apply. DHS determines which program your child qualifies for based on your reported income. If income is below 147% FPL, the child is enrolled in ARKids A. If income is between 147% and 216% FPL, the child is enrolled in ARKids B.
If your family income increases after enrollment, DHS may move the child from ARKids A to ARKids B at renewal. If income drops, a child in ARKids B can move to ARKids A.
How to Apply for ARKids First in 2026
Step 1: Gather Documents
Before you start, collect:
- Proof of Arkansas residency (utility bill, lease, or mail addressed to your home)
- Proof of income for all adults in the household (pay stubs, tax return, or employer letter)
- Social Security numbers for each child applying
- Birth certificates for each child
- Immigration or citizenship documentation if applicable
Step 2: Apply Online at Access.Arkansas.gov
Go to Access.Arkansas.gov and create an account. You will need an email address and phone number. The online application covers ARKids A, ARKids B, ARHOME (adult Medicaid), and SNAP in a single form.
The application typically takes 30 to 45 minutes to complete. You can save progress and return later if needed.
Step 3: Apply by Phone or In Person (Alternatives)
If you prefer not to apply online, call DHS at 1-800-482-8988. You can also visit your local DHS county office in person. Find office locations at humanservices.arkansas.gov.
Step 4: Upload or Submit Verification Documents
After submitting, DHS will request any documents it needs to verify your information. Upload these through your Access.Arkansas.gov account or mail them to your local county office.
Step 5: Wait for a Decision
DHS has up to 45 days to process a Medicaid application. In most cases, decisions come faster. You will receive a notice by mail explaining whether your child was approved, which tier they were placed in, and your effective coverage start date.
If approved, ARKids coverage is typically retroactive to the first day of the month you applied.
Step 6: Use Your ARKids Card
Once approved, your child will receive an ARKids First ID card by mail. Present this card at doctor visits, pharmacies, and hospitals. Providers can also look up coverage by your child's Medicaid ID number.
Renewals
ARKids coverage renews every 12 months. DHS sends a renewal notice before your coverage expires. Respond to renewal notices promptly. If DHS cannot verify continued eligibility because of a missing response, coverage may end even if your child still qualifies.
You can update your information and renew through Access.Arkansas.gov at any time.
What If My Child Does Not Qualify?
If your household income is above 216% FPL, your child does not qualify for ARKids. Options include:
- ACA Marketplace plans through HealthCare.gov, where children may qualify for cost-sharing reductions if household income is below 250% FPL
- Premium tax credits (APTC) to reduce monthly premiums
- Short-term or employer-sponsored coverage
Use our free eligibility screener to check whether your family qualifies for ARKids or other programs based on your household size and income.
Check Your Eligibility at benefitsusa.org/screener
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the income limit for ARKids A in 2026?
ARKids A covers children in families with income up to 147% of the Federal Poverty Level. For a family of four, that is approximately $48,510 per year or $4,043 per month in 2026.
What is the income limit for ARKids B in 2026?
ARKids B covers children in families with income between 147% and 216% FPL. For a family of four, the upper limit is approximately $71,280 per year or $5,940 per month in 2026.
Does ARKids B charge a monthly premium?
No. ARKids B has no monthly premium. It does charge copays, typically $10 per office visit, with total annual out-of-pocket costs capped at 5% of the family's gross income.
Does ARKids A charge copays?
No. ARKids A has no premiums and no copays. All covered services are free.
Can my child get ARKids if they have private insurance?
For ARKids A, there is no prior insurance requirement. For ARKids B, your child generally needs to be uninsured for 90 days first. That wait is waived if you lost coverage involuntarily.
How long does it take to get approved?
DHS has up to 45 days to process an application, though many are decided sooner. Once approved, coverage typically starts on the first day of the month you applied.
Do I have to report assets or savings?
No. Neither ARKids A nor ARKids B has an asset test. Savings accounts, a car, or a house do not affect eligibility.
Where do I apply for ARKids?
Apply online at Access.Arkansas.gov, by phone at 1-800-482-8988, or in person at a local DHS county office. The ARKids hotline is 1-888-474-8275.
My child was on ARKids B. Our income dropped. Can they switch to ARKids A?
Yes. At your next renewal, or if you report the income change to DHS before renewal, your child can be moved to ARKids A if the household now qualifies at the lower income threshold.
Are dental and vision covered under both tiers?
Yes. Both ARKids A and ARKids B cover dental checkups, eye exams, and vision care. ARKids B charges a copay for these services; ARKids A does not.
For more information on Arkansas health programs, see our Arkansas benefits guide or use the free screener to check eligibility for ARKids and other programs in minutes.
