Arkansas CHIP: Children's Health Insurance Program

Last verified: June 2026

Informational overview of Arkansas CHIP

For current eligibility thresholds and enrollment, visit https://medicaid.mmis.arkansas.gov. CHIP and Medicaid applications are processed together in most states — apply once and both programs are considered.

ARKids First-B is Arkansas's CHIP tier — covers children up to 211% FPL who earn too much for the Medicaid ARKids First-A tier

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. Apply at access.arkansas.gov — one application covers both tiers, and DHS determines which applies. Call 1-888-987-1200 with questions.

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. Per DMS, 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)
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

Source: Arkansas DMS ARKids First program at arkidsfirst.com and humanservices.arkansas.gov. The 211% FPL CHIP income limit is per DMS's published CHIP state plan. Verify at arkidsfirst.com or call 1-888-987-1200.

ARKids First-A vs. ARKids First-B — what's the difference?

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

What ARKids First-B covers

ARKids First-B provides comprehensive child health benefits. Per DMS and the ARKids First program guide, coverage includes:

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 1-888-987-1200. 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.

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.

What CHIP covers

Federal law requires CHIP to cover certain core benefits. States may add to the list. Standard CHIP coverage includes:

Doctor visits, including well-child checkups and sick visits
Hospital care — inpatient and outpatient
Emergency room and urgent care services
Prescription drug coverage
Mental health and substance use disorder services
Dental care — preventive and restorative
Vision care, including eye exams and glasses
Laboratory and imaging services
Physical, occupational, and speech therapy
Medical equipment, such as wheelchairs or hearing aids when medically necessary

How to apply for Arkansas CHIP

Apply through Arkansas Medicaid (Arkansas Works) — the same application covers both Medicaid and CHIP. Online applications are typically fastest and allow document uploads. You can also apply by phone or in person at a local eligibility office.

See the how to apply page for the complete application process, required documents, and what to expect during review.

CHIP and Medicaid income ranges overlap — apply regardless

If you're not sure whether your child qualifies for Medicaid or CHIP, apply anyway. The eligibility system determines which program applies based on your income. A child who earns out of Medicaid may qualify for CHIP, and vice versa. Don't let uncertainty about which program applies prevent you from applying.