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Help Choosing Medical Plan

Help Choosing Medical Plan

Arkansas Medicaid

Arkansas Medicaid is a health coverage program that helps people with low incomes, disabilities, or special health needs get medical care and long‑term services. Medicaid pays for things like doctor visits, hospital care, prescriptions, therapy, and home and community‑based supports.

What is a PASSE?

In Arkansas Medicaid, PASSE stands for Provider‑Led Arkansas Shared Savings Entity.

A PASSE is a managed care organization for people who have significant behavioral health needs or developmental/intellectual disabilities and qualify for specialized Medicaid services.

If you are enrolled in a PASSE, it means:

  1. You are part of a managed care plan, not traditional (fee‑for‑service) Medicaid.
  2. Your care is coordinated by the PASSE organization.
  3. The PASSE is responsible for providing and managing most of your Medicaid services including physical health, behavioral health, and home- and community‑based services.

Each PASSE can only contract with enrolled AR Medicaid providers and must meet network adequacy requirements. Each PASSE has doctors, specialists, clinics, pharmacies, home and community based service providers and hospitals in their network. There are four PASSE organizations in Arkansas:

  1. Arkansas Total Care
  2. CareSource PASSE
  3. Empower Healthcare Solutions
  4. Summit Community Care

You Choose Your PASSE

New members to the PASSE program are assigned a PASSE using a rotating assignment to equally distribute new members between the four PASSEs. Members are allowed 90 days from enrollment to choose a different PASSE that works best for you. Choosing the right PASSE helps ensure you receive the services, coordination, and provider access that fit your situation.

If you do not choose a different  PASSE within 90 days, you will remain with the one assigned. Members are given an opportunity each October to choose a different PASSE during open enrollment.

You can select from the PASSE organizations operating in Arkansas. Each PASSE may have:

  1. Different provider networks
  2. Different approaches to member support
  3. Different plans, tools, or extras for helping you manage your care

Why Your Choice Matters

Because PASSEs manage most of your Medicaid services, your choice affects:

  1. Which doctors and providers you can see
  2. How easy it is to get services
  3. What supports are available for you and your family

Your PASSE is your long‑term partner in managing your health and services, so taking time to choose is important.

Tips for Choosing the PASSE That Works Best for You

  1. Think about what is important to you when you get health care.
  2. Talk to your family, friends, and doctor.
  3. Check to see if your doctor is in the PASSE network.
  4. Review how far the doctor’s office or clinic is from your home.
  5. Review the member materials for each PASSE or call member services

How to Change your PASSE

To change your PASSE assignment, please contact 1-833-402-0672.

As a PASSE member, you can change your PASSE assignment 90 days after you have been enrolled and every year during open enrollment. Open enrollment is from October 1 – October 31st each year. During this time, you can change your PASSE assignment by calling 1-833-402-0672.

Who to Call with a Concern or Complaint

It is the responsibility of the PASSE Ombudsman Office to ensure that compassion, respect, trust, and integrity- all core values of the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS)-are demonstrated in resolving issues or complaints from beneficiaries who are PASSE members.

If you have an issue or complaint about the PASSE program or services, we encourage you to first discuss those issues with the  program or office where you get the services. There are times when a specific issue can be resolved immediately. However, if the issue or complaint cannot be resolved to your satisfaction, please contact our office.

Contact Your PASSE to Discuss Your Concern or Complaint

  1. Arkansas Total Care
    • Call Member Services at 1-866-282-6280 or TTY: 711
  2. CareSource
    • Call Member Services at 1-833-230-2005
  3. Empower Healthcare Solutions
    • Call Member Services at 1-866-261-1286
  4. Summit Community Care
    • Call Member Services at 1-844-405-4295

How to contact our office:

  • Call: 1-844-843-7351

Individuals who have a hearing or speech impairment can contact our office by calling toll free, 1.888.987.1200 option 2.

Office of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Office of Ombudsman
P.O. Box 1437 Slot-S 0171
Little Rock, AR 72203-1437

When can a person reach out to the Ombudsman Office?

•    If you are having issues with PASSE Care Coordination Services
•    If you are having trouble contacting your PASSE
•    If you have questions about your Independent Assessment determination results
•    If you have questions about appeals
•    If you are dissatisfied with the services received from the PASSE
•    If you are a provider and have questions about enrollment in the PASSE
•    If you have a concern regarding a PASSE or a PASSE provider and don’t know who else to call

Other Resources

How can I get impartial assistance choosing a PASSE?
1.833.402.0672

How do I find a Dentist?
1.800.582.4887

Where do I call for Non-Emergency Transportation assistance?
1.888.987.1200, option 2

Office of Ombudsman Contact Information Division of Medical Services
Office of Ombudsman
P.O. Box 1437 Slot S-418Help Choosing Medical Plan


Little Rock, AR 72205

Telephone: 1.844.843.7351
Email: [email protected]