The Medicaid program in every state has a part that covers children who come from low-income families. Often, the program is called CHIP, or Children’s Health Insurance Program. In Arkansas, the program is called ARKids First-B. There is very little information about it on the state’s website.
Medicaid is a public, or government run, form of health insurance. It is designed to provide individuals and families who are low-income, and who can’t afford to buy health insurance from a private company, to be able to get the health care they need. Medicaid is funded by both the federal government, and by the government of an individual state.
Every state has a portion of their Medicaid program that covers children from low-income families. Often, this part is called CHIP, which stands for Children’s Health Insurance Program. Many states rename the program to something friendlier. Arkansas calls their’s ARKids First-B.
There is very little information about ARKids First-B that is available on the Arkansas state website. However, I do know that parents or caregivers who want to apply for their child to be covered by ARKids First-B will have to travel to the Department of Human Services (DHS) office in their county, and apply for it, (on behalf of their child), in person. You cannot apply online for Medicaid in Arkansas, (not even for the ARKids First-B portion).
The Arkansas website that talks about ARKids First-B says that it is for children under age 19 who do not have medical insurance through a parent’s employer, or who cannot use their medical insurance. There is a somewhat confusing example of what, exactly, that means:
“For example, if a noncustodial parent living outside of Arkansas has health insurance on their child who lives in Arkansas but Arkansas doctors do not accept that insurance, the child may be able to get ARKids First-B.”
The ARKids First-B program requires a small co-payment for prescription drugs and for some medical care. No co-payment is required for preventative care (such has well-child checkups). It is possible to apply for ARKids First-A (which the website says is Medicaid), and ARKids First-B at the same time. Someone at Arkansas DHS will decide if you qualify for either program.
If you want more information about the ARKids First-B, there are two ways to do that. There is no further information about it on the Arkansas state website. Instead, you have two choices. You can call a 1-888 number (and wait to see if someone picks up). Or, you can travel to the Department of Human Services Office in your county (and wait there for help).
Image by Toshiyuki IMAI on Flickr