Medicare Plans in Arkansas

Medicare, the United States federal medical insurance program, provides coverage for more than 650,000 people in Arkansas who qualify for Medicare. You can get Medicare if you’re 65 or older or have a qualifying disability.

Your disability typically qualifies if you’ve received at least 24 Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) disability insurance payments. You can also enroll in Medicare Advantage Plans if you have End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Most people have premium-free Part A but, if you have to buy it, the cost can reach up to $506per month in 2023. Part B costs $164.90 per month but can be more if you have higher income. There are 85 Medicare Advantage Plans in the state that are an alternative to Original Medicare. Learn more about your Medicare options in Arkansas.

Medicare Plans in Arkansas

Medicare Plan Options in Arkansas

Residents of Arkansas have multiple Medicare plans to choose from. Many are tiered to help people in Arkansas find the plan that is best suited to your lifestyle and medical needs. For example, seniors and individuals with disabilities who don’t need much coverage can apply for Original Medicare. Arkansas’ Medicare Advantage program might be a better option if you need more comprehensive insurance. Some Medicare policies offer additional prescription drug add-ons or supplementary coverage.

• Original Medicare is a good choice if you want flexibility in choosing and accessing providers that accept Medicare anywhere in the U.S.
• There is no cap on what you could spend for out-of-pocket expenses, and you must purchase drug coverage separately, so it’s a better choice for you if you don’t need much in the way of health care or prescription drugs.
• If you don’t purchase a Medigap policy to supplement Original Medicare when you are first eligible, you may not be able to purchase one or may have to pay higher premiums, depending on your health status.

• Medicare Advantage is a good choice if you want to have all of your health care and drug benefits bundled together in one plan and if you don’t mind being restricted in your choice of providers to save on costs.
• There is a cap on what you can spend for out-of-pocket Medicare-covered expenses.
• You also have access to services that Medicare doesn’t cover, like routine dental and vision exams.

• Part D is a good choice if you have Original Medicare, or if you have a Medicare Advantage Plan ― not a health maintenance organization (HMO) or preferred provider organization (PPO) ― that doesn’t have prescription drug coverage.
• You pay a penalty if you wait to enroll in a Part D plan, unless you have creditable coverage from an employer-sponsored group plan.
• If you don’t require medications now, you can enroll in a low-premium Part D plan to avoid late enrollment penalties later.

• Medigap is a good choice if you have Original Medicare and want help paying for out-of-pocket expenses you incur when you access your Part A and Part B benefits.
• You pay a monthly premium, and most copays and coinsurance costs are covered.
• If you have significant health care needs, want the freedom to see any Medicare provider without network restrictions, a Medigap plan offers predictable coverage and costs for Medicare-covered care.
• Medigap doesn’t cover prescription drugs or other benefits like dental and vision.

Medicare in Arkansas by the Numbers

*Most people pay no premium, but this can vary depending on how long they paid Medicare taxes.

**This is the average number, but it can vary based on income.

Medicare Resources in Arkansas

Getting support can help when you’re making Medicare decisions. Arkansas has numerous locations where enrollees can receive help through the State Health Insurance Program (SHIP). Arkansas SHIP has counselors throughout the state that work with local nonprofits and public health agencies, as well as Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs), to provide seniors with Medicare information.

AAA of Northwest Arkansas

The Region 1 Area Agency on Aging (AAA) of Northwest Arkansas partners with SHIP counselors to give Medicare advice and assistance to local seniors. Seniors can also receive education about Medicare fraud and abuse. AAA of Northwest Arkansas and other state AAAs also may screen beneficiaries to determine their eligibility for financial assistance. It organizes group presentations for seniors and individual counseling is also available.

Contact information: Website | (870) 741-1144

Arkansas Association of Area Agencies on Aging

The Arkansas Association of AAAs oversees the state’s agencies that provide services including Medicare counseling and information to older adults. Through the association, you can locate the AAA that is near you to access services.

Contact information: Website | (866) 964-7017

Arkansas Department of Human Services

The Arkansas Department of Human Services can connect you to a range of services and information, including Medicare resources. The department oversees the Senior Medicare Patrol that is focused on identifying and preventing Medicare fraud and misuse.

Contact information: Website | (501) 686-9164

Arkansas Insurance Department

The Arkansas Insurance Department provides a range of Medicare resources, from dates to remember and information about supplement plans to preventive services, including a Welcome to Medicare medical visit. You can also access links to Medicare resources close to you.

Contact information: Website | (800) 282-9134

As a health care professional since 1987, Kelly Blackwell has walked alongside and cared for seniors as they journey through the season of their fourth quarter of life. Blackwell holds a Bachelor of Science in nursing from the University of Northern Colorado, a Master of Science in health care administration from Grand Canyon University, an interprofessional graduate certificate in palliative care from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and holds a Certified Senior Advisor ® credential from the Society of Certified Senior Advisors.

Blackwell contributes to the University of Colorado-Anschutz blog and has been published in “The Human Touch” distributed by the University of Colorado Center for Bioethics and Humanities. She cowrote “Dying Is” for Pathways Hospice.

A registered nurse, Blackwell understands health insurance choices influence quality of life and are driven by values, goals, and beliefs. She’s passionate about engaging with, educating, and empowering seniors as they navigate the health care system. She’s equipped to lend an experienced, compassionate voice to beneficiaries seeking information about Medicare Advantage Plans.

As a CSA ® , Blackwell has access to valuable resources for Medicare beneficiaries. Her work as a bedside nurse and clinical manager has given her the opportunity to see how Medicare rules, regulations, and benefits work when patients need them. With a passion to learn and to make a difference in the lives of seniors, Blackwell supports seniors through Medicare and fourth-quarter life decisions.

As a health care professional since 1987, Kelly Blackwell has walked alongside and cared for seniors as they journey through the season of their fourth quarter of life. Blackwell holds a Bachelor of Science in nursing from the University of Northern Colorado, a Master of Science in health care administration from Grand Canyon University, an interprofessional graduate certificate in palliative care from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and holds a Certified Senior Advisor ® credential from the Society of Certified Senior Advisors.

Blackwell contributes to the University of Colorado-Anschutz blog and has been published in “The Human Touch” distributed by the University of Colorado Center for Bioethics and Humanities. She cowrote “Dying Is” for Pathways Hospice.

A registered nurse, Blackwell understands health insurance choices influence quality of life and are driven by values, goals, and beliefs. She’s passionate about engaging with, educating, and empowering seniors as they navigate the health care system. She’s equipped to lend an experienced, compassionate voice to beneficiaries seeking information about Medicare Advantage Plans.

As a CSA ® , Blackwell has access to valuable resources for Medicare beneficiaries. Her work as a bedside nurse and clinical manager has given her the opportunity to see how Medicare rules, regulations, and benefits work when patients need them. With a passion to learn and to make a difference in the lives of seniors, Blackwell supports seniors through Medicare and fourth-quarter life decisions.

Learn More from Our Sources

• Medicare | How do Medicare Advantage plans work?
• Medicare | How to get prescription drug coverage
• Medicare | Medicare Advantage Plans cover all Medicare services
• Medicare | What Medicare covers
• Medicare | What’s Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap)?