Arkansas CHIP: Children's Health Insurance Program
Updated August 2026
Arkansas has a combined Medicaid-CHIP program called ARKids First. It has two tiers: ARKids First-A (Medicaid-funded) and ARKids First-B (CHIP-funded under Title XXI). ARKids First-B covers children under 19 whose family income is above the ARKids First-A Medicaid threshold but at or below 211% FPL.
211% FPL
ARKids First-B income limit
ARKids First-B
Arkansas's CHIP tier
1-855-372-1084
ARKids First phone
Premium non-payment can lock you out of ARKids First-B
ARKids First-B includes a small monthly premium, unlike ARKids First-A which has no premium. Premium non-payment results in a temporary lock-out period from ARKids First-B. Contact DHS immediately if you miss a payment to avoid a gap in coverage.
Who qualifies for ARKids First-B
ARKids First-B is designed for children whose family income is above the ARKids First-A Medicaid threshold but within the CHIP limit of 211% FPL. ARKids First-B uses MAGI income rules and has no asset test. It covers children from birth through age 18 (up to the 19th birthday).
- Child must be under 19 years old
- Family income within the ARKids First-B range (up to 211% FPL) — per the Arkansas DHS income chart effective April 1, 2026, that's a monthly household income up to $2,806.30 for a household of 1 or $5,802.50 for a household of 4
- Child must be an Arkansas resident
- Child must be a U.S. citizen or lawfully present immigrant
- Child must be uninsured or have recently lost coverage
- No asset test
- Cannot be enrolled in employer-sponsored coverage that meets minimum value standards
ARKids First-A vs. ARKids First-B
Here's how the two ARKids First tiers compare.
| Feature | ARKids First-A (Medicaid) | ARKids First-B (CHIP) |
|---|---|---|
| Income range | Up to ~100% FPL | Above ARKids A limit to 211% FPL |
| Funding | Title XIX Medicaid | Title XXI CHIP |
| Premiums | No | Small monthly premium (income-based) |
| Benefits | Full Medicaid including EPSDT | Comprehensive CHIP package |
| Application | access.arkansas.gov | Same — access.arkansas.gov |
Income range
- ARKids First-A (Medicaid)
- Up to ~100% FPL
- ARKids First-B (CHIP)
- Above ARKids A limit to 211% FPL
Funding
- ARKids First-A (Medicaid)
- Title XIX Medicaid
- ARKids First-B (CHIP)
- Title XXI CHIP
Premiums
- ARKids First-A (Medicaid)
- No
- ARKids First-B (CHIP)
- Small monthly premium (income-based)
Benefits
- ARKids First-A (Medicaid)
- Full Medicaid including EPSDT
- ARKids First-B (CHIP)
- Comprehensive CHIP package
Application
- ARKids First-A (Medicaid)
- access.arkansas.gov
- ARKids First-B (CHIP)
- Same — access.arkansas.gov
What ARKids First-B covers
ARKids First-B provides comprehensive child health benefits.
- Well-child checkups and immunizations
- Primary care and specialist visits
- Hospital care — inpatient and outpatient
- Prescription medications
- Emergency and urgent care
- Dental care (comprehensive)
- Vision care — exams and eyeglasses
- Mental health and behavioral health services
- Physical, occupational, and speech-language therapy
- Lab and diagnostic services
Cost sharing for ARKids First-B
ARKids First-B includes a small monthly premium, unlike ARKids First-A which has no premium. Federal CHIP rules cap total annual cost sharing at 5% of family income (42 USC 1397cc). Children from families at or below 150% FPL cannot be charged premiums under federal law, so premiums for ARKids First-B apply only to families in the upper income range of the CHIP bracket.
For current premium amounts, visit arkidsfirst.com or call 1-855-372-1084.
What CHIP is
CHIP — the Children's Health Insurance Program — is a federal-state partnership that covers children in families whose income is too high for Medicaid but too low to afford private insurance. Congress created CHIP in 1997 under Title XXI of the Social Security Act. Like Medicaid, CHIP is jointly funded by the federal government and each state, and each state administers its own program.
CHIP serves children up to age 19 (some states cover to 21 for children in foster care). It is not available to adults — CHIP is specifically designed to address the coverage gap for children in working families.
Nationally, CHIP covers approximately 7 million children, according to CMS data. In most states, it is a seamless part of the broader children's health coverage system alongside Medicaid.
How to apply for Arkansas CHIP
Apply at access.arkansas.gov — one application covers both ARKids First-A and ARKids First-B tiers, and DHS determines which applies. Call 1-855-372-1084 with questions.
Arkansas Medicaid (Arkansas Works)
- ARKids First phone: 1-855-372-1084
- Apply for ARKids First: access.arkansas.gov
- ARKids First program: arkidsfirst.com
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