Arkansas Seeks Two-Year Medicaid Extension | Little Rock News

Over 50 Arkansas healthcare groups are urging the federal government to grant a two-year extension for the state’s Medicaid expansion program, ARHOME, which covers over 200,000 low-income residents. The request comes after a previous five-year extension was denied, and officials say the extra time is crucial to build a sustainable replacement system before the current waiver ends in December. While beneficiaries wouldn’t lose coverage entirely without approval, they’d likely shift to a direct fee-for-service model — a change that could disrupt care. Leaders like Dr. Naveen Patil of the Arkansas Medical Society stress the need for seamless transitions, patient continuity, and clear communication. State officials are evaluating multiple models, including managed care, to design a thoughtful long-term solution as requested by providers. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/be5d973c3b09f4e1