Moving to or from Arkansas with Medicaid
Moving TO Arkansas
Arkansas Medicaid does not accept transferred cases from other states: every new Arkansas resident applies fresh through Arkansas Department of Human Services, Division of Medical Services. There is no waiting period tied to how recently you arrived — eligibility is decided on Arkansas's own income and household rules from the day you become a resident.
Leaving Arkansas
Leaving Arkansas ends your Arkansas Medicaid case — no state will take it over. Close the case with Arkansas Department of Human Services, Division of Medical Services effective your move month, then apply in your destination state immediately after arriving.
Official agency: Arkansas Department of Human Services, Division of Medical Services ↗ (application page)
Arkansas Medicaid at a glance
| Program name | Arkansas Medicaid |
|---|---|
| ACA Medicaid expansion | Yes — adults covered on income |
| Adult income limit | 138% of the federal poverty level |
| Processing | up to 45 days |
Common questions
Who runs Medicaid in Arkansas?
Arkansas Department of Human Services, Division of Medical Services. The official page and application link are cited below — always act through them.
Does Arkansas make new residents wait for Medicaid?
No state may impose a residency waiting period for Medicaid. You apply as soon as you live in Arkansas; eligibility is decided on Arkansas's own rules.
Where do I report that I'm leaving Arkansas?
Contact Arkansas Department of Human Services, Division of Medical Services (official link below) to report the move and close your case effective your move month.
Every move involving Arkansas
From Arkansas to…
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
To Arkansas from…
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Official sources
Every fact above was checked against these official pages. Last verified.
- Arkansas DHS — Health Care Programs — accessed 2026-08-08
- Arkansas DHS — ARHOME program — accessed 2026-08-08