DHS Granted Temporary Extension to ARHOME Waiver by CMS

CMS approved a six-month temporary extension of the Arkansas Health and Opportunity for Me (ARHOME) waiver, effective January 1, 2027, at the request of the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS). DHS Secretary Janet Mann submitted the extension request on August 5, following discussions with CMS regarding continued work to finalize a new Medicaid managed care delivery model for Arkansas's Medicaid expansion population. The temporary extension is intended to allow Arkansas and CMS to continue negotiations on the future service delivery structure for ARHOME without interrupting coverage for currently enrolled beneficiaries. The state's public statements indicate that the extension preserves the status quo while a longer-term delivery model is developed in coordination with the state legislature. Separately, the extension does not affect the implementation timeline for the ARHOME community engagement and work requirements applicable to the expansion population. Those requirements entered a soft launch on July 1 and are scheduled to transition to full enforcement, with penalties for non-compliance, beginning January 1, 2027. The requirement applies to ARHOME enrollees aged 19 to 64, with exemptions for pregnant and postpartum women, disabled veterans, caregivers, and individuals with special medical needs.