Announcements 

2/15/2023: ***REMINDER*** Any hospital that received payments under the ARPA Arkansas Hospitals COVID Surge Staff Funding Proposal was required to obligate expenses under this program no later than December 31, 2022. Additionally, hospitals must submit documentation of obligated expenses to DHS no later than June 30, 2023. A template that can be used to submit this information is available here.
Click here for answers to frequently asked questions. Hospitals should submit their documentation to ARPA@dhs.arkansas.gov.

1/30/2023: The Department of Human Services, Division of Developmental Disabilities Services, announces a public notice period of 30 days notifying Qualified Behavioral Health paraprofessionals employed by Outpatient Behavioral Health Service Agencies that an exception established due to Covid 19 will end on March 2, 2023. Click here for details.

January 2023: CMS has approved a time-limited state plan amendment to respond to the COVID-19 national emergency. The purpose of this amendment is to increase behavioral health reimbursement rates for specific counseling services. Click here for details, and click here for a table outlining the approved rates.

December 2022: Some temporary Medicaid changes enacted during the Public Health Emergency will expire at the end of 2022. Click here for full details.

2/25/2022 – The DHS Division of Medicaid Services has opened an application to all eligible Medicaid HCBS service providers to participate in the Workforce Improvement Provider Incentive Program as detailed in Arkansas’ American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), Section 9817 HCBS Spending Plan. Applications must be received by March 11. Click here for more information or to apply.

8/24/2021 – Due to guidance issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), third doses of the COVID-19 vaccination shots will be available. The correct procedure codes that must be used to file a claim for administration of these shots are set out in the tables in this Official Notice.

8/06/2021 – Due to the continuing Public Health Emergency (PHE), Arkansas Medicaid, in conjunction with the Office of the Governor of the State of Arkansas, has authorized a temporary increase in the reimbursement rate for administration of COVID-19 vaccines. This temporary increase will be effective for sixty (60) days. The increase applies to both first (1st) and second (2nd) vaccination administration (if Pfizer or Moderna), or a single shot of the Johnson & Johnson vaccination.
Temporary Increase in Arkansas Medicaid COVID-19 Vaccination Administration Rate

3/19/2021 – DHS is now accepting applications for CARES Act funding for Veteran’s Behavioral Health. These funds are designed to assist Veterans and their families during the current pandemic. Non-profit organizations whose primary focus is serving Veterans are encouraged to apply. Application deadline is April 30, 2021, however, early application is encouraged as funding must be expended by June 15, 2021. Please see CARES Act for Veterans below.

3/19/21 – DHS will begin accepting applications for CARES Community Investment Funding at 5 p.m. on March 19. This funding provides one-time funding for organizations that serve the most vulnerable Arkansans. Funds should assist the organizations in providing direct services to clients and meet the immediate needs of the community that are not addressed by other resources. Organizations selected must agree to provide direct services to individuals within high poverty areas. To be considered a high poverty area, the poverty rate of the city or county must be greater than 15 percent based on the 2010 Census. You can find more information about that on the Census website. Organizations applying for this grant MUST be the entity providing the direct services to the community. Organizations applying on behalf of other entities or seeking to fund other organizations will not be approved. Applications are due April 2, 2021, at 5 p.m. No late applications will be considered.

Link: CARES Community Outreach Funding Online Application

2/23/21 – New one-time funding is available to help open, licensed child care providers meet the pandemic procedures for safe operations and business operating expenses. DHS also will begin new applications for financial assistance to help cover child care expenses for essential workers on March 1. Essential workers include but are not limited to emergency responders, health care providers, public heath personnel, sanitation workers, child care and early childhood staff, K-12 educators, and individuals involved in the food supply chain during the pandemic. Eligibility is not based on income. Children must go to eligible child care providers and assistance is contingent upon available funding.
8/24/2021 – Due to guidance issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), third doses of the COVID-19 vaccination shots will be available. The correct procedure codes that must be used to file a claim for administration of these shots are set out in the tables in this Official Notice.

8/06/2021 – Due to the continuing Public Health Emergency (PHE), Arkansas Medicaid, in conjunction with the Office of the Governor of the State of Arkansas, has authorized a temporary increase in the reimbursement rate for administration of COVID-19 vaccines. This temporary increase will be effective for sixty (60) days. The increase applies to both first (1st) and second (2nd) vaccination administration (if Pfizer or Moderna), or a single shot of the Johnson & Johnson vaccination.
Temporary Increase in Arkansas Medicaid COVID-19 Vaccination Administration Rate

6/24/2021 – DHS COVID-19 Response Manuals will become effective 7/1/2021.

3/19/2021 – DHS is now accepting applications for CARES Act funding for Veteran’s Behavioral Health. These funds are designed to assist Veterans and their families during the current pandemic. Non-profit organizations whose primary focus is serving Veterans are encouraged to apply. Application deadline is April 30, 2021, however, early application is encouraged as funding must be expended by June 15, 2021. Please see CARES Act for Veterans below.

3/19/21 – DHS will begin accepting applications for CARES Community Investment Funding at 5 p.m. on March 19. This funding provides one-time funding for organizations that serve the most vulnerable Arkansans. Funds should assist the organizations in providing direct services to clients and meet the immediate needs of the community that are not addressed by other resources. Organizations selected must agree to provide direct services to individuals within high poverty areas. To be considered a high poverty area, the poverty rate of the city or county must be greater than 15 percent based on the 2010 Census. You can find more information about that on the Census website. Organizations applying for this grant MUST be the entity providing the direct services to the community. Organizations applying on behalf of other entities or seeking to fund other organizations will not be approved. Applications are due April 2, 2021, at 5 p.m. No late applications will be considered.

Link: CARES Community Outreach Funding Online Application

2/23/21 – New one-time funding is available to help open, licensed child care providers meet the pandemic procedures for safe operations and business operating expenses. DHS also will begin new applications for financial assistance to help cover child care expenses for essential workers on March 1. Essential workers include but are not limited to emergency responders, health care providers, public heath personnel, sanitation workers, child care and early childhood staff, K-12 educators, and individuals involved in the food supply chain during the pandemic. Eligibility is not based on income. Children must go to eligible child care providers and assistance is contingent upon available funding.
1/30/2023: The Department of Human Services, Division of Developmental Disabilities Services, announces a public notice period of 30 days notifying Qualified Behavioral Health paraprofessionals employed by Outpatient Behavioral Health Service Agencies that an exception established due to Covid 19 will end on March 2, 2023. Click here for details.

January 2023: CMS has approved a time-limited state plan amendment to respond to the COVID-19 national emergency. The purpose of this amendment is to increase behavioral health reimbursement rates for specific counseling services. Click here for details, and click here for a table outlining the approved rates.

December 2022: Some temporary Medicaid changes enacted during the Public Health Emergency will expire at the end of 2022. Click here for full details.

2/25/2022 – The DHS Division of Medicaid Services has opened an application to all eligible Medicaid HCBS service providers to participate in the Workforce Improvement Provider Incentive Program as detailed in Arkansas’ American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), Section 9817 HCBS Spending Plan. Applications must be received by March 11. Click here for more information or to apply.

8/24/2021 – Due to guidance issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), third doses of the COVID-19 vaccination shots will be available. The correct procedure codes that must be used to file a claim for administration of these shots are set out in the tables in this Official Notice.

8/06/2021 – Due to the continuing Public Health Emergency (PHE), Arkansas Medicaid, in conjunction with the Office of the Governor of the State of Arkansas, has authorized a temporary increase in the reimbursement rate for administration of COVID-19 vaccines. This temporary increase will be effective for sixty (60) days. The increase applies to both first (1st) and second (2nd) vaccination administration (if Pfizer or Moderna), or a single shot of the Johnson & Johnson vaccination.
Temporary Increase in Arkansas Medicaid COVID-19 Vaccination Administration Rate

3/19/2021 – DHS is now accepting applications for CARES Act funding for Veteran’s Behavioral Health. These funds are designed to assist Veterans and their families during the current pandemic. Non-profit organizations whose primary focus is serving Veterans are encouraged to apply. Application deadline is April 30, 2021, however, early application is encouraged as funding must be expended by June 15, 2021. Please see CARES Act for Veterans below.

3/19/21 – DHS will begin accepting applications for CARES Community Investment Funding at 5 p.m. on March 19. This funding provides one-time funding for organizations that serve the most vulnerable Arkansans. Funds should assist the organizations in providing direct services to clients and meet the immediate needs of the community that are not addressed by other resources. Organizations selected must agree to provide direct services to individuals within high poverty areas. To be considered a high poverty area, the poverty rate of the city or county must be greater than 15 percent based on the 2010 Census. You can find more information about that on the Census website. Organizations applying for this grant MUST be the entity providing the direct services to the community. Organizations applying on behalf of other entities or seeking to fund other organizations will not be approved. Applications are due April 2, 2021, at 5 p.m. No late applications will be considered.

Link: CARES Community Outreach Funding Online Application

2/23/21 – New one-time funding is available to help open, licensed child care providers meet the pandemic procedures for safe operations and business operating expenses. DHS also will begin new applications for financial assistance to help cover child care expenses for essential workers on March 1. Essential workers include but are not limited to emergency responders, health care providers, public heath personnel, sanitation workers, child care and early childhood staff, K-12 educators, and individuals involved in the food supply chain during the pandemic. Eligibility is not based on income. Children must go to eligible child care providers and assistance is contingent upon available funding.
8/24/2021 – Due to guidance issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), third doses of the COVID-19 vaccination shots will be available. The correct procedure codes that must be used to file a claim for administration of these shots are set out in the tables in this Official Notice.

8/06/2021 – Due to the continuing Public Health Emergency (PHE), Arkansas Medicaid, in conjunction with the Office of the Governor of the State of Arkansas, has authorized a temporary increase in the reimbursement rate for administration of COVID-19 vaccines. This temporary increase will be effective for sixty (60) days. The increase applies to both first (1st) and second (2nd) vaccination administration (if Pfizer or Moderna), or a single shot of the Johnson & Johnson vaccination.
Temporary Increase in Arkansas Medicaid COVID-19 Vaccination Administration Rate

6/24/2021 – DHS COVID-19 Response Manuals will become effective 7/1/2021.

3/19/2021 – DHS is now accepting applications for CARES Act funding for Veteran’s Behavioral Health. These funds are designed to assist Veterans and their families during the current pandemic. Non-profit organizations whose primary focus is serving Veterans are encouraged to apply. Application deadline is April 30, 2021, however, early application is encouraged as funding must be expended by June 15, 2021. Please see CARES Act for Veterans below.

3/19/21 – DHS will begin accepting applications for CARES Community Investment Funding at 5 p.m. on March 19. This funding provides one-time funding for organizations that serve the most vulnerable Arkansans. Funds should assist the organizations in providing direct services to clients and meet the immediate needs of the community that are not addressed by other resources. Organizations selected must agree to provide direct services to individuals within high poverty areas. To be considered a high poverty area, the poverty rate of the city or county must be greater than 15 percent based on the 2010 Census. You can find more information about that on the Census website. Organizations applying for this grant MUST be the entity providing the direct services to the community. Organizations applying on behalf of other entities or seeking to fund other organizations will not be approved. Applications are due April 2, 2021, at 5 p.m. No late applications will be considered.

Link: CARES Community Outreach Funding Online Application

2/23/21 – New one-time funding is available to help open, licensed child care providers meet the pandemic procedures for safe operations and business operating expenses. DHS also will begin new applications for financial assistance to help cover child care expenses for essential workers on March 1. Essential workers include but are not limited to emergency responders, health care providers, public heath personnel, sanitation workers, child care and early childhood staff, K-12 educators, and individuals involved in the food supply chain during the pandemic. Eligibility is not based on income. Children must go to eligible child care providers and assistance is contingent upon available funding.

DHS wants to assure you that prior authorizations are being processed, claims and invoices are being processed and paid. 

Note: If you work with a program that allows paper claims or invoices, please know that you could experience a delay in payment as this situation evolves. We encourage providers to submit electronic claims to ensure payment more quickly.

Enrolled Medicaid providers can register for the online Medicaid Provider Portal to submit electronic claims by visiting: https://portal.mmis.arkansas.gov/armedicaid/provider/Home/ProviderEnrollment

Has DHS Issued Any Guidance to Providers During this Time?

As we work to ensure the essential services DHS provides through providers like you, we may come across rules or regulations that we need to temporarily suspend to ensure we can meet the needs of our clients. You can find a list of suspended rules here: Emergency rule suspensions

Current COVID-19 Guidance

Behavioral Health 

• Behavioral Health FAQs 5/5/20
• Outpatient Behavioral Health Agencies Certified as Acute Crisis Units      
• Telemedicine for Behavioral Health Well-Check Service
• Telemedicine for Certain Behavioral Health Providers
• Telemedicine for Crisis Intervention Services
• Telemedicine for Marital and Family Behavioral Health Counseling
• Telemedicine for Mental Health Diagnoses for Persons under Twenty-One (21) Years of Age
• Telemedicine Delivery of Substance Abuse Assessments
• Veterans Mental Health Outreach & Services Initiative Application
• Veterans Mental Health Outreach & Services Initiative FAQs

CARES Act Community Investment Funding

• CARES Act Community Investment Initiative Application – Round One
• CARES Act Community Investment Initiative FAQs – Round One
• CARES Act Community Investment Information – Round Two
• CARES Community Outreach Funding Online Application
• CARES Act Community Outreach Financial Documentation Form
• CARES Act Community Investment Information – Round Two Informational Video

CARES Act Nursing Home Funding

• Cluster Payment Request Form
• Costs Above Cap Payments Request Form
• CARES Act Payments to Hospital Direct Care and Nondirect Care Workers FAQs
• Costs Above Cap Payments and Cluster Payments Arkansas Coronavirus Relief Fund (ACRF) FAQs

CARES Act for Veterans

• CARES Arkansas Veterans Application Final
• CARES Act VSO Example Grant Application
• CARES ACT VSO Funding Monthly Expenditure Tracking

Care Continuity Emergency Response Reimbursement Payments 

• Care Continuity Emergency Response Procedures
• Care Continuity Emergency Response Reimbursement Extension
• Care Continuity Emergency Response Reporting Form (Note: form will automatically download)
• Care Continuity Emergency Response FAQs: Extended Reimbursements for Original Providers
• Care Continuity Emergency Response FAQs: Newly Added Eligible Provider Types
• PPE/Cleaning Reporting Form

Child care

• American Rescue Plan Information
• Child Care Pandemic Guidelines 2021

COVID-19 Response Manuals

• Division of Aging, Adult and Behavioral Health Services (DAABHS) COVID-19 Response Manual
• Division of County Operations (DCO) COVID-19 Response Manual
• Division of Developmental Disabilities Services (DDS) COVID-19 Response Manual
• Department of Human Services (DHS) Telemedicine COVID-19 Response Manual
• Division of Medical Services (DMS) COVID-19 Response Manual
• Division of Provider Services & Quality Assurance (DPSQA) COVID-19 Response Manual

Developmental Disabilities Services

• ADDT/EIDT Nursing Services Outside Clinics
• ADDT/EIDT Proposed Emergency Relief FAQ
• Extension for Evaluations for ADDT, EIDT, EPSDT ABA, OT, PT, ST and DT
• Telemedicine for Applied Behavior Analysis Therapy by a BCBA 
• Telemedicine for OT, PT, and ST Assistants
• Telemedicine for OT, PT, and ST Therapists
• Use of Well Checks for ADDT and EIDT Established Patients

EMS Worker Payment

• ADCWP Report Form
• EMS Worker Direct Payment FAQs
• EMS Payment Guidance and Forms with No Medicaid ID Number

Emergency Transportation

• Ambulances: CMS Flexibilities to Fight COVID-19
• Flexibilities for Ground Transportation by Ambulance

Federal Laws Passed in Response to COVID-19

• CARES Act (H.R.748): https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/748/text
• Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R.6201): https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/6201

HIPAA

• HIPAA Requirements during COVID-19 Emergency

Home and Community Based Services (HCBS)

• HCBS Program Application
• HCBS Spending Plan and Narrative Submission Cover Letter
• Arkansas HCBS Spending Plan
• HCBS Spending Plan Draft Arkansas Medicaid Cover Letter
• HCBS Spending Plan Draft AMENDED

Hospital Services

• Coverage of Swing Beds in Critical Access Hospitals
• Hospital Services During Public Health Emergency
• ARPA Hospital Expense Reporting Form
• ARPA Hospital FAQs

Hospital Direct and Non-Direct Care Payments​​    

• Hospital Direct and Non-Direct Care Payment Report Form
• Hospital Direct and Non-Direct Care Worker Payment Instructions
• Hospital Direct and Non-Direct Care Payment FAQs 5/4/20
• Hospital Direct and Non-Direct Care Payment FAQs 5/11/20

Laboratory / Testing

• Expanded Laboratory and X-Ray Benefit
• Laboratory Testing Codes
• Mobile Clinics for COVID-19 Screening

Living Choices Assisted Living Providers

• Suspension of Rate Reduction

Long-Term Care

• Background Checks for Employees of Long-term Care Facilities
• Limiting the Transmission of COVID-19 for Long-Term Care Facilities | FAQ
• PASRR Guidance During COVID-19 Outbreak

LTSS Direct Care Payments​​    

• Direct Care Statement of Intent/Point of Contact Form
• Direct Care Worker Payment Request Form
• Direct Care Worker Payment FAQs – 4/16/2020
• Direct Care Worker Payment FAQs – 4/17/2020
• Direct Care Worker Payment FAQs – 4/20/2020
• Direct Care Worker Payment FAQs – 4/21/2020
• Direct Care Worker Payment FAQs – 4/23/2020
• Direct Care Worker Payment FAQs – 5/1/2020
• Direct Care Worker Payment FAQs – 5/11/2020
• Direct Care Worker Payment FAQs – 6/15/2020
• Medicaid Payments to Direct Care Workers in an LTSS Settings
• Guidance Direct Care Worker Payment
• Guidance Indirect Care Payment
• Indirect Care Worker Payment Request Form

Medicaid Provider/Services Requirements

• Acute Hospital Care at Home
• Ambulatory Surgical Centers Allowed to Temporarily Enroll as Hospitals
• Billing Guidance on DMS-35: Prior Authorization Relaxations
• COVID-19 Vaccination Rates and Billing Codes
• Childhood Vaccination Program Reimbursement Form
• Childhood Vaccination Program Reimbursement FAQs
• Guidance on PCCM COVID 19 Childhood Vaccination Program Payment
• Elective Surgeries and Non-Essential Procedures
• Medicaid Provider Enrollment Site Visits
• Suspension of 12-Visit Annual Limit
• Telemedicine Requirements for Nurse Practitioners
• Telemedicine Requirements for Physician
• New Temporary Increase in Arkansas Medicaid COVID-19 Vaccination Administration Rate
• Temporarily Lift the Requirement for Prior Authorization (PA) on Specific Services
• New Third-Dose COVID-19 Vaccination Shots
• Reimbursement Rate for Gloves used for services provided in the home

Pharmacy & Medical Devices

• Addition of Certain Inhalers to the Preferred Drug List (PDL)
• Antigen Testing for COVID-19 by Pharmacists
• Aerochamber Refill Allowances
• Coverage of COVID-19 Monoclonal Antibodies
• Coverage of Swing Beds in Critical Access Hospitals
• Early Medication Refills
• Evaluations for Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics
• Extensions of Prior Authorizations for Medications
• Pharmacy Provider Enrollment to Provide Vaccinations
• Signature Requirements (e-signatures) at Pharmacies

Rural Health Centers & Federally Qualified Health Centers

• Flexibilities in Service Provision for Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and Rural Health Clinics (RHCs)
• Telemedicine Billing Guidance
• Telemedicine Services to be provided by FQHC and RHC

Therapeutic Community

• Therapeutic Communities Direct Service Requirements