TO AMEND THE MEDICAID PROVIDER-LED ORGANIZED CARE ACT; TO IMPROVE THE ENROLLMENT AND SELECTION PROCESS IN RISK-BASED PROVIDER ORGANIZATIONS; AND TO EMPOWER BENEFICIARIES WITH INFORMATION.

More information and help for Arkansas Medicaid

Beginning January 1, 2026, Arkansas requires online ratings, current provider lists, and support for Medicaid risk-based provider organizations. Ratings use data organizations already collect and must appear prominently on the Department of Human Services website. They track service wait times after Community and Employment Support Waiver slots are awarded, care coordinator caseloads, satisfaction, and complaints. Measures also cover community life, housing, employment, and member and provider views of care coordinators, websites, and overall service. Ratings track follow-up within seven days after emergency visits for members with intellectual or developmental disabilities or behavioral health needs. They also track yearly well-care visits for ages 3–21, initial care coordinator contact within 14 days, and monthly contact. Provider directories must offer real-time access through state and organization websites and be updated for the upcoming plan year. Organizations must list providers leaving the network within 10 business days after the change is communicated to or from them. A dedicated, adequately staffed and trained state support office helps enrollees and the public understand organizations, open enrollment, plan choices, provider networks, and ratings. It must meet the federal beneficiary-support standard in place on January 1, 2025; an ombudsman may help enrollees resolve problems informally.