Arkansas program
Arkansas pays back the work-plan premium (AR HIPP)
Arkansas pays back a work-plan or COBRA premium when keeping that plan costs the state less than covering the care itself. The state's own leaflet lists ARKids as excluded, so the child's category has to be checked first.
What it is
Arkansas pays back a work-plan or COBRA premium when keeping that plan costs the state less than covering the care itself. The state's own leaflet lists ARKids as excluded, so the child's category has to be checked first.
HIPP can reduce the cost of job-based coverage. The social worker can ask ARHIPP whether your family member’s exact Medicaid category qualifies. ARHIPP must also check the plan and whether paying its premium is cost-effective.
Eligibility rules
- HIPP works for some Medicaid categories only, and the state's own leaflet lists ARKids as excluded. Ask ARHIPP whether your child's category qualifies before you count on it.
- It can also work for a work plan a parent was offered but has not taken, or for COBRA.
What you get
- Monthly reimbursement of an approved job-plan or COBRA premium.
Coverage and limits
- Ask ARHIPP in writing which month's premium is the first it will pay back; it is not always the month you applied.
If you decide to apply
- Ask the social worker to help ARHIPP check the Medicaid category and available work-plan or COBRA coverage.
- Ask HR for the premium amount and plan summary in writing.
AR HIPP, 1-855-692-7447 · Official page ↗
After you apply
- ARHIPP says a first decision should take no longer than 30 business days after the complete application and supporting documents arrive. The social worker can help obtain a written answer about which premium months can be reimbursed.
Good to know
The state pays you back after the fact, so keep paying the premium while it decides, which takes about 30 business days.
Other details
- The HIPP phone team is available Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Federal background: Medicaid premium assistance.
Official sources
“Could HIPP pay back our work-plan premium, and would keeping that plan help our child? If the costs work out, could you help with the plan documents?”
Why I’m asking: I want to compare the premium savings with how the two plans would handle treatment.
More background and detailed requirements
Additional program information and published rules
Who does what
The three parts, side by side. The agency decides; nobody on this page does.
You
Call the HIPP line, give the plan details and the premium amount.
Your social worker
Human resources can give you the premium amount and the plan summary in writing.
The care team
Records and letters when the application asks for them.
- Who decides
- The Department of Human Services decides whether paying the premium is cheaper than covering the person directly.
- Ask HR
- “Can you give me in writing the monthly premium for our family coverage and a summary of the plan? Arkansas Medicaid may pay it back.”
How to apply
First step: Call 1-855-692-7447 with the premium amount and the Medicaid number to hand.
- The social worker can help ARHIPP confirm the exact Medicaid category and available work coverage before the family relies on reimbursement.
- Have the employer plan's premium amount and the Medicaid number ready.
Official application / program page ↗
Where it starts: Start on the telephone: 1-855-692-7447, Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm.
What to gather
- The monthly premium amount
- The plan summary from human resources
- The family member's Medicaid number
How long: No longer than 30 business days after the complete application and supporting documents arrive, according to ARHIPP’s administrator as reviewed September 16, 2026.
What a yes looks like
A monthly reimbursement to you for the premium.
What a no looks like, and the next move
Ask whether the plan failed the cost test and whether adding the Medicaid member to the plan would change it.
Watch out
- ARHIPP’s first-decision standard is 30 business days after a complete application and supporting documents arrive.
- The first premium month HIPP can reimburse needs to be confirmed in writing. It should not be assumed from either the approval date or the diagnosis date.
- HIPP requires an eligible Medicaid category and access to employer group coverage or COBRA. The administrator’s guidance excludes “ARKids” without distinguishing A from B. DHS must confirm the exact aid category before a family relies on reimbursement.
The numbers and the rules
The arcane layer, kept on purpose. Checked September 11, 2026.
What it is worth
Monthly reimbursement of a job-based or COBRA premium when the plan covers at least one Arkansas Medicaid member.
Covers: Monthly reimbursement of the health-insurance premium · Help enrolling in a job plan you are not yet on
What it costs the family: None to apply.
The eligibility facts, as published
- Coverage condition
- HIPP requires an eligible Medicaid category and access to employer group coverage or COBRA. The administrator’s guidance excludes “ARKids” without distinguishing A from B. DHS must confirm the exact aid category before a family relies on reimbursement.
- Plan source
- Job-based group health insurance or COBRA
- Note
- Being uninsured now does not rule you out: the program offers help enrolling
- Processing standard
- No longer than 30 business days after the complete application and supporting documents arrive, according to ARHIPP’s administrator as reviewed September 16, 2026.
The trap: HIPP requires an eligible Medicaid category and access to employer group coverage or COBRA. The administrator’s guidance excludes “ARKids” without distinguishing A from B. DHS must confirm the exact aid category before a family relies on reimbursement.
Where I read this
- Arkansas Health Insurance Premium Payment Program — Arkansas Department of Human Services, read September 10, 2026