For more information or to apply, visit Access Arkansas at access.arkansas.gov

Home and Community-Based Services in Arkansas

What are Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS)?

Home and community-based services (HCBS) help people receive care in their own home or community. HCBS are a way for people to continue to live in their community as independently as possible, instead of receiving care in a long-term care facility. HCBS programs typically serve people who need ongoing help with everyday activities – for example: older adults, people with physical disabilities, people with mental health illnesses, and people with intellectual or developmental disabilities.

• Medicaid Overview Fact Sheet
• Medicaid Detailed Overview
• HCBS Programs in Arkansas Fact Sheet
• HCBS Detailed Overview

Current HCBS Waivers and Services

Arkansas Medicaid has several programs that help people receive HCBS. Click the links below to learn more.  

Autism Waiver Serves children 18 months to 5 years old who have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder • Simple Fact Sheet • Detailed Fact Sheet • Currently Active Waiver	Private Duty Nursing Serves eligible Medicaid recipients who require constant supervision and have specific medical needs • Simple Fact Sheet • Detailed Fact Sheet
ARChoices in Homecare Waiver Serves older Arkansans or younger adults who have a physical disability • Simple Fact Sheet • Detailed Fact Sheet • Currently active waiver • DHS Webpage	Home Health Services Serves eligible Arkansans with chronic health conditions or who are recovering from illness, injury, or surgery • Simple Fact Sheet • Detailed Fact Sheet
Living Choices Assisted Living Waiver Serves older Arkansans or younger adults who have a physical disability • Simple Fact Sheet • Detailed Fact Sheet • Currently active waiver • DHS Webpage	Counseling Services Serves Medicaid recipients who require mental health, substance abuse, or psychiatric counseling • Simple Fact Sheet • Detailed Fact Sheet
Provider-Led Arkansas Shared Savings Entity (PASSE) Serves Arkansans with complex behavioral health needs or intellectual and developmental disabilities • PASSE Simple Fact Sheet • PASSE Detailed Fact Sheet • DHS Webpage	Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) Serves Arkansans 55 years of age or older who need nursing facility care and live in certain counties • Simple Fact Sheet • Detailed Fact Sheet • DHS Webpage
Independent Choices Program Serves Medicaid-enrolled elderly individuals and adults with disabilities • Simple Fact Sheet • Detailed Fact Sheet • DHS Webpage	The Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act (TEFRA) Serves children with disabilities • Simple Fact Sheet • Detailed Fact Sheet • DHS Webpage
Personal Care Serves eligible Medicaid recipients who require hands-on assistance with daily living • Simple Fact Sheet • Detailed Fact Sheet	Community and Employment Support (CES) Waiver Serves Arkansans with developmental disabilities • CES Simple Fact Sheet • CES Detailed Fact Sheet • Currently active waiver • DHS Webpage

Note: The fact sheets are educational summaries and are not intended to cover all of the program information. Please refer to a program’s currently active waiver or provider manual for additional information. Click here for DHS proposed rules and public notices.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an HCBS Waiver?

Some of Arkansas’ HCBS programs are available through a “waiver” program. The federal Medicaid program allows states to “waive” certain Medicaid requirements when they create HCBS waiver programs, allowing the state to provide care for people who might not typically quality for Medicaid.

Within broad federal guidelines, states can develop home and community-based services waivers (HCBS Waivers) to meet the needs of people who prefer to get long-term care services and supports in their home or community, rather than in an institutional setting.

For more information, visit the HCBS 1915(c) page on the CMS website.

Who is Eligible for an HCBS Program?

Eligibility criteria varies between HCBS programs. Generally, individuals must:

• Meet established financial and level of care criteria as specified in each program.
• Meet any other requirements, such as age or diagnosis requirements, specific to the waiver program.  

Some people may qualify for more than one program and can choose the best program for their life situation. Please see the fact sheets above for the program(s) you are interested in and visit the Access Arkansas website at https://access.arkansas.gov/Learn/Home.

Who Can I Contact for More Information?

Please visit the Access Arkansas website at https://access.arkansas.gov/Learn/Home or call 855-372-1084.