Medicare Help in Arkansas: Programs That Pay for Care (2026)

Arkansas has roughly 700,000 Medicare beneficiaries, and many of them are paying more than they should - or missing out on state programs they never knew existed. The Medicaid income limit for a single person in Arkansas is $1,073 per month, the federal Medicare Part B premium is $185 per month in 2026, and Extra Help with prescription drug costs is available to individuals earning up to $22,590 per year. Yet a large share of eligible Arkansans have never applied for Extra Help, never contacted a SHIP counselor, and have never heard of programs like IndependentChoices or ARChoices in Homecare. This guide covers the programs that actually pay for care in Arkansas - who qualifies, what each program covers, and where to call.

What Is Arkansas SHIP and How Can Free Counselors Help You?

If you are on Medicare and feeling overwhelmed by plan options, coverage gaps, or a denial letter, the first call you should make is to Arkansas SHIP.

The State Health Insurance Assistance Program provides one-on-one counseling at no charge for any Arkansas resident on Medicare or approaching eligibility. Nationally, SHIP has roughly 12,500 free, local counselors across all 50 states - and these counselors are not insurance agents and earn no commissions. That distinction matters more than it might sound when you are being pitched Medicare Advantage plans from every direction.

In my experience, the people who get the most out of SHIP are the ones who call before they make any decisions - not after something has already gone wrong. A SHIP counselor can pull up your county's plan options, run the numbers, and tell you in plain language what the differences are. There is no sales pressure and no follow-up call from a broker.

Here is what Arkansas SHIP counselors can help you with:

• Comparing Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage plans available in your specific county
• Applying for Extra Help (Low Income Subsidy) to lower prescription drug costs
• Understanding and appealing Medicare denials
• Reading your Medicare Summary Notice or Explanation of Benefits
• Enrolling in a Medigap plan during your Open Enrollment window
• Determining whether you qualify for a Medicare Savings Program
• Navigating Special Enrollment Period rules

The service is available statewide, by phone or in person at local aging services offices. You can reach Arkansas SHIP at 1-800-224-6330. There is no appointment fee and no follow-up sales call. If you are not sure whether your question is a SHIP question or something else, call anyway - they will either answer it or point you to the right place.

Related: What Does a Medicare Patient Advocate Actually Do?

Does Arkansas Have a Program Where Family Members Can Get Paid to Provide Care?

In short: Does Arkansas Have a Program Where Family Members Can Get Paid to Provide Care?: Yes - and it is one of the most underused programs in.

Yes - and it is one of the most underused programs in the state. Arkansas IndependentChoices is a consumer-directed Medicaid program that lets eligible individuals hire, train, and direct their own personal care attendants.

That includes adult children, siblings, friends, and other family members. The person receiving care is in charge of who helps them and when - not a home care agency.

Here is the key detail most people miss: spouses cannot currently be paid as caregivers under IndependentChoices, but most other family relationships are allowed. An adult son or daughter, a niece or nephew, or a close friend can all be hired and paid through the program.

How IndependentChoices works:

1. A nurse or social worker from Arkansas DHS visits your home to assess how many hours of personal care assistance you need each day.
2. Based on that assessment, the state sets a monthly budget - the dollar amount reflects the hours of care you qualify for.
3. That budget goes into a managed account. A financial management services (FMS) agency handles payroll taxes, wage reporting, and other paperwork so you are not managing tax forms yourself.
4. You hire your caregiver, set their schedule, and pay them from the budget each month.

To qualify for IndependentChoices, you must:

• Be eligible for Arkansas Medicaid
• Need personal care assistance with activities like bathing, dressing, mobility, or meal preparation
• Be able to direct your own care, or have a representative - a trusted family member or friend - who can do so on your behalf
• Meet the level-of-need criteria determined by the home assessment

IndependentChoices is entirely voluntary. If you prefer a traditional home care agency, that remains an option. But for families where a relative is already providing unpaid care every day, this program can convert that work into paid employment. To apply, contact Arkansas DHS at 1-800-482-8988 or visit your local DHS county office.

What Is the ARChoices Waiver and Who Can Qualify?

ARChoices in Homecare is Arkansas's primary Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver for seniors and adults with physical disabilities.

It covers long-term services that Original Medicare does not pay for - so that people who need daily help can stay in their own homes rather than moving to a nursing facility. Many Arkansas families do not know this program exists until a crisis forces the question.

Services covered under ARChoices include:

• Personal care - bathing, grooming, dressing, and hygiene assistance
• Homemaker services - light housekeeping, laundry, and meal preparation
• Adult day health services
• Respite care for family caregivers who need a break
• Home-delivered meals
• Environmental modifications such as grab bars, ramp installation, and door widening
• Personal emergency response systems (medical alert devices)

To qualify for ARChoices, you must:

• Be 21 or older (there is no upper age limit)
• Meet Arkansas Medicaid financial eligibility - the standard income limit for a single individual is $1,073 per month, though some categories apply different thresholds
• Require a nursing facility level of care, as determined by a state assessment
• Prefer to receive care at home or in the community rather than in a facility

One important thing to know: ARChoices has a waiting list for some services in some counties. If you are placed on a wait list, do not let that stop you. Your position in line is determined by your application date, so submitting sooner is always better. The wait also makes it worth asking whether IndependentChoices - the family caregiver option - might cover some of your needs in the meantime.

To begin the application process, contact Arkansas DHS at 1-800-482-8988. A nurse or social worker will schedule a home visit to assess your level of need and explain which services you qualify for.

Related: How to Appeal a Medicare Denial: Step-by-Step for 2026

Arkansas Medicare Quick-Reference Contacts

Program / Service	Phone	What They Handle
Arkansas SHIP	1-800-224-6330	Free Medicare counseling, plan comparisons, Extra Help applications
Arkansas DHS	1-800-482-8988	Medicaid applications, ARChoices, IndependentChoices, Medicare Savings Programs
LTC Ombudsman	1-800-482-8049	Complaints about nursing homes, assisted living, and care facilities
Eldercare Locator	1-800-677-1116	Find your local Area Agency on Aging by zip code
Social Security (Extra Help)	1-800-772-1213	Apply for Extra Help (Low Income Subsidy) for Part D drug costs
UnderstoodCare	646-904-4027	Patient advocacy, care coordination, benefits navigation

How Does Medicare Advantage Work in Arkansas?

Medicare Advantage plans are available in all 75 Arkansas counties, though the number of options varies considerably depending on where you live.

Residents of the Little Rock metro area and Northwest Arkansas (Fayetteville, Springdale, Bentonville) typically see 10 or more plans to compare. In more rural counties - particularly in the Delta region and the Ouachita Mountains - you may have 3 to 5 choices. About 45% of Arkansas's Medicare beneficiaries were enrolled in Medicare Advantage as of 2024, with UnitedHealthcare holding roughly 36% of the state's Medicare Advantage membership and Aetna holding about 9%.

Major insurers offering Medicare Advantage plans in Arkansas for 2026 include:

Insurance Company	Plan Types Available	Notes
Humana	HMO, PPO	Broad rural coverage
UnitedHealthcare	HMO, PPO	Largest AR market share (~36% of MA enrollees)
Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield	HMO, PPO	Local insurer, strong statewide network
Aetna / CVS Health	HMO, PPO	~9% of AR Medicare Advantage enrollees
Cigna	HMO	Urban and suburban focus
WellCare / Centene	HMO	Dual-eligible (Medicare + Medicaid) plans available

Most Medicare Advantage plans in Arkansas bundle prescription drug coverage (Part D) along with dental, vision, and hearing benefits that Original Medicare does not cover. Some plans also offer extras like transportation to medical appointments and over-the-counter allowances for health-related purchases. Starting in 2024, CMS requires MA plans to be no more restrictive with prior authorization than traditional Medicare - a meaningful patient protection to know about.

The trade-off is network restrictions. HMO plans require you to use in-network doctors and hospitals and typically require a referral to see a specialist. Before switching to any Medicare Advantage plan, verify that your current doctors are in-network. A SHIP counselor can pull side-by-side plan comparisons for your county and help you evaluate total costs, not just the monthly premium.

Open Enrollment runs October 15 through December 7 each year. Coverage begins January 1 of the following year. Plan information goes live at medicare.gov on October 1 - but you cannot enroll until October 15.

Does Arkansas Have a State Drug Assistance Program?

Arkansas does not currently operate a state pharmaceutical assistance program (SPAP) that pays into Medicare Part D the way some states do.

That said, Arkansas residents have access to several federal programs that can dramatically lower prescription drug costs - and many people who qualify have never applied.

Medicare Extra Help (Low Income Subsidy)

Extra Help is a federal program that covers most of the cost of a Medicare Part D drug plan for people with limited income and resources. In 2026, the eligibility thresholds are:

• Income limit: approximately $22,590 per year for individuals (or $30,660 for a married couple living together)
• Asset limit: approximately $16,660 for individuals (or $33,240 for couples), not counting your home, one car, or burial funds

If you qualify, Extra Help can reduce your monthly drug plan premium to near zero, eliminate your deductible, and cap your co-pays at just a few dollars per prescription. AARP notes that new Medicare-negotiated drug prices on 10 high-cost medications took effect in 2026, saving beneficiaries an estimated $1.5 billion in out-of-pocket drug spending this year - Extra Help stacks on top of those savings. Apply through Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or at ssa.gov.

Medicare Savings Programs

Arkansas offers four Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) that pay some or all of your Medicare costs. Qualifying for QMB or SLMB automatically qualifies you for Extra Help with drug costs as well. Apply through Arkansas DHS at 1-800-482-8988.

Manufacturer Patient Assistance Programs

If you take brand-name medications, the pharmaceutical manufacturer may offer free or steeply discounted drugs through a patient assistance program. You can search by drug name at NeedyMeds.org or RxAssist.org.

From what I have seen, prescription costs are the hidden crisis for many Arkansas Medicare beneficiaries. They skip doses or split pills because no one ever told them Extra Help existed. If you take more than two or three prescription drugs each month, it is worth spending 20 minutes finding out whether you qualify.

What Are the Medigap Rules in Arkansas?

Medigap - also called Medicare Supplement insurance - fills the cost gaps that Original Medicare leaves behind, including hospital deductibles, co-payments, and coinsurance.

In Arkansas, Medigap plans follow federal standardized plan letters (A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, N). Every insurance company selling Plan G in Arkansas must offer the exact same Plan G benefits - the only real difference between companies is price.

Your Open Enrollment Period Is the Only Time You Have Guaranteed Rights

This is the most important thing to understand about Medigap in Arkansas. Your Open Enrollment Period is the 6-month window that starts the month you turn 65 and enroll in Medicare Part B. During this window, no insurer can deny your application or charge more because of your health history. You can choose any plan letter from any company and pay the same rate as a healthy person your age.

After this window closes, insurance companies in Arkansas can use medical underwriting. That means they can reject your application or quote you a much higher premium based on pre-existing conditions. Arkansas does not have additional state-mandated guaranteed issue rights beyond what federal law provides. This is a significant practical risk: many people start with a Medicare Advantage plan and later try to switch back to Original Medicare with a Medigap supplement - but in most states, insurers can decline them based on medical history after the OEP has passed.

When Federal Guaranteed Issue Rights Apply Outside OEP

• Losing employer coverage that supplemented Medicare
• Moving out of a Medicare Advantage plan's service area
• Your Medicare Advantage or Medigap plan losing its Medicare contract

The Most Popular Plans in Arkansas

Plan G is the most commonly chosen plan for people new to Medicare. It covers everything except the Part B deductible ($257 in 2026). Plan N offers similar coverage with small co-pays for office visits and emergency room visits, at a lower monthly premium. Because the benefits are standardized, get quotes from at least 3 insurers for the same plan letter - premiums can vary by 20 to 30 percent for identical coverage.

How Do You Find Your Local Area Agency on Aging in Arkansas?

In short: How Do You Find Your Local Area Agency on Aging in Arkansas?: Arkansas has 8 Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) that cover all 75 counties.

Arkansas has 8 Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) that cover all 75 counties. These are federally funded organizations - established under the Older Americans Act - that coordinate local services for adults 60 and older and their caregivers. They are often the fastest way to connect with real help in your specific county, because they know what is actually available locally, not just what exists on paper.

Services you can typically access through your Arkansas Area Agency on Aging:

• Home-delivered meals (Meals on Wheels programs)
• Transportation assistance to medical appointments and errands
• Caregiver support groups and respite services
• SHIP counseling for Medicare questions
• Legal assistance for seniors
• Benefits counseling for Medicare, Medicaid, and Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Evidence-based health programs such as Matter of Balance (fall prevention) and Chronic Disease Self-Management
• Information and referrals for local care resources

The 8 Area Agencies on Aging in Arkansas are:

1. Central Arkansas Area Agency on Aging - Little Rock and surrounding counties
2. White River Area Agency on Aging - North central Arkansas
3. Southwest Arkansas Area Agency on Aging - Southwest counties
4. Northwest Arkansas Area Agency on Aging - Fayetteville, Springdale, and Bentonville area
5. Arkansas River Valley Area Agency on Aging - River Valley region
6. South Central Arkansas Area Agency on Aging - South central counties
7. Northeast Arkansas Area Agency on Aging - Northeast counties
8. Delta Area Agency on Aging - Eastern Delta region

The easiest way to reach your local AAA is through the national Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116 (Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 8 PM Eastern). Enter your zip code and they will connect you to your county's Area Agency on Aging directly. You can also search online at eldercare.acl.gov.

What Does the Arkansas Long-Term Care Ombudsman Do?

In short: What Does the Arkansas Long-Term Care Ombudsman Do?: If you or a family member lives in a nursing home, an assisted living facility, or a residential.

If you or a family member lives in a nursing home, an assisted living facility, or a residential care facility in Arkansas, the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program is the place to call when something goes wrong. The ombudsman is an independent advocate - not a facility employee and not a state regulator - whose job is to represent the interests of residents.

What the Arkansas Long-Term Care Ombudsman can help with:

• Investigating complaints about care quality, staffing, food, hygiene, or medication administration
• Resident rights - explaining what rights residents have under Arkansas and federal law and helping when those rights are violated
• Discharge disputes - pushing back when a facility tries to discharge a resident improperly or without adequate notice
• Billing and financial concerns - helping residents and families understand what charges are legitimate and what to do about errors
• Retaliation protection - intervening when a facility retaliates against a resident for raising concerns
• Referrals to regulators - when a problem requires state enforcement action, the ombudsman can make the referral and stay involved

The service is free and confidential. You can file a complaint without giving your name if you prefer. Local ombudsmen are assigned to specific facilities and conduct regular unannounced visits, so they often have a working history with the facility and its staff that makes them more effective than an outside caller.

To reach the Arkansas Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program:

• Statewide line: 1-800-482-8049
• Administered through the Arkansas Division of Aging, Adult and Behavioral Health Services (DAAHS)

If you believe a resident is in immediate danger, call the facility's administrator first, then the ombudsman, and then Arkansas Adult Protective Services if the situation involves abuse or neglect. Do not wait to make the call if a safety issue is involved.

How Can UnderstoodCare Help Arkansas Medicare Beneficiaries?

In short: How Can UnderstoodCare Help Arkansas Medicare Beneficiaries?: Navigating Arkansas Medicare and Medicaid programs on your own is genuinely hard.

Navigating Arkansas Medicare and Medicaid programs on your own is genuinely hard. The eligibility rules overlap, the applications go to different agencies, and the decisions you make - about Medicare Advantage versus Original Medicare with a Medigap supplement, or about whether to apply for ARChoices or IndependentChoices - can affect your family's finances for years. A wrong move during your Medigap Open Enrollment window, for instance, can leave you without guaranteed-issue rights for the rest of your life.

At UnderstoodCare, we work with Medicare beneficiaries and their families as advocates, not salespeople. We accept Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans from UnitedHealthcare and Aetna in Arkansas - two insurers that together cover roughly 45% of the state's Medicare Advantage membership. We do not earn commissions on plan sales. Our team includes nurses, care coordinators, and benefits specialists who understand how these programs work in practice, not just how they read in a brochure.

Here is what working with us looks like for an Arkansas family:

A daughter in Jonesboro contacts us because her mother - who has both Medicaid and Medicare - has just been discharged from a rehabilitation facility after a stroke. She cannot go home safely without daily help. We review the mother's current coverage, identify that she likely qualifies for ARChoices in Homecare, help the family submit the application, and explain the IndependentChoices option so the daughter understands she may be eligible to be paid for the care she is already providing. We track the application, join the DHS assessment call if the family wants support, and follow up until services are in place.

That is the kind of coordination most families cannot get from a 1-800 government number.

If you have questions about Arkansas Medicare programs or need help figuring out where to start, call us at 646-904-4027 or visit understoodcare.com.

What Steps Should You Take First?

In short: What Steps Should You Take First?: It is easy to feel like you need to understand every program before you can do anything.

It is easy to feel like you need to understand every program before you can do anything.

That is not how I would approach it. Here is a practical sequence that works for most Arkansas families:

Step 1: Gather what you already have.
Pull out your red-white-and-blue Medicare card, your insurance card (if you have a supplement or Advantage plan), and any Medicaid paperwork. Knowing what you currently have tells you what you may be missing - and helps any counselor you speak with give you accurate guidance.

Step 2: Call Arkansas SHIP at 1-800-224-6330.
Before you make any decisions about plans or programs, talk to a SHIP counselor. The call is free, the counselors are neutral, and they can explain your options in plain language. This one call can prevent expensive mistakes - including the kind that lock you out of Medigap coverage permanently.

Step 3: Ask about Extra Help and Medicare Savings Programs.
Many Arkansas Medicare beneficiaries qualify for one of these programs and have never applied. If you qualify for the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) program, it can eliminate your Medicare co-pays entirely. A SHIP counselor or your local AAA can help you apply. Income limits are higher than most people expect.

Step 4: If you need home care, contact Arkansas DHS at 1-800-482-8988.
Ask about eligibility for ARChoices in Homecare and IndependentChoices. Apply as soon as you think you might qualify - wait lists exist, and earlier applications mean earlier placement.

Step 5: If you are in a facility and have a complaint, call the ombudsman at 1-800-482-8049.
Calls are confidential, advocacy is free, and you do not need to give your name.

Step 6: If you want help coordinating all of this, reach out to UnderstoodCare.
We can help you understand your options, prioritize the right applications, and follow through until care is in place. Call 646-904-4027. There is no charge for an initial conversation.

What Will Matter in the Next 12 to 24 Months

• Medicare drug price negotiations expand. CMS will negotiate prices on additional high-cost drugs beyond the initial 10, continuing to reduce out-of-pocket costs for Part D enrollees who have not yet applied for Extra Help.
• Medicaid eligibility redeterminations continue. Arkansas Medicaid renewals resumed after the COVID-era continuous enrollment period ended. If you or a family member received Medicaid automatically and have not received a renewal notice, check your status with Arkansas DHS at 1-800-482-8988.
• Medicare Advantage plan networks continue to shift. Insurers regularly change which hospitals and specialists are in-network. If you are enrolled in an HMO plan, verify your current doctors are still in-network at the start of each calendar year.
• SHIP counselors are the fastest way to respond to any of these changes. Call 1-800-224-6330 if your coverage, costs, or eligibility changes in the next year.

Forecast for 12-24 months

Where Arkansas Medicare Assistance Is Headed

Three forecasts on how premiums, savings programs, and Medicare Advantage rules will shift for Arkansas beneficiaries.

26 sources analyzed4 community discussions3 industry publications3 blog posts3 video sources

A

Forecasts for Arkansas Medicare Costs and Coverage

Use these forecasts to anticipate how costs and enrollment options may change for Arkansas Medicare beneficiaries.

Highest Confidence Call

91/100

High confidence 12-24 months

As the standard Part B premium climbs roughly 11.6% to about $200/month in 2026 (about $2,478/year), more Arkansas Medicare beneficiaries will seek out Medicare Savings Programs, Extra Help, and other assistance to offset costs, even as the 10 CMS-negotiated drugs are estimated to cut beneficiaries' out-of-pocket spending by $1.5 billion nationally.

80/100

Medium confidence 12-24 months

With UnitedHealthcare holding 36% and Aetna 9% of Arkansas's Medicare Advantage members, continued CMS restrictions on prior authorization and misleading advertising will keep shaping how these plans compete for the roughly 45% of Arkansas beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Advantage.

The Unexpected Pick

48/100

Medium confidence 12-24 months

Even as premium pressure builds, obstacles to Medicare Savings Program enrollment and access flagged 'in the wake of HR1' could keep actual enrollment growth among eligible Arkansans below what cost pressure alone would predict.

Not Fully Confirmed Yet Beneficiaries and commenters increasingly reference the 135% federal poverty level threshold and the QMB, SLMB, QI, and QDWI programs as the way to offset rising premiums. A May 2026 webinar convened by the Center for Medicare Advocacy addressed new obstacles to Medicare Savings Program enrollment and access following HR1. CMS's rule barring Medicare Advantage plans from being more restrictive on prior authorization than traditional Medicare, plus its rejection of over 1,000 misleading Medicare Advantage ads ahead of open enrollment, points to sustained federal tightening of plan behavior.

B

Supporting and contrary evidence

Each forecast is paired with the sources that support it and the sources that complicate it.

Premium and drug-cost pressure pushes more Arkansans toward savings programs 91

Supporting evidence

• Medicare Part B Premiums 2026: How Much Will YOU Pay? is the strongest public backing for this call. [Video]Standard Medicare Part B premium in 2025 was $185/month. “So, the 2026 COLA is expected to be 2.7% which is around roughly $54 a month.”
• 8 Changes Shaping Your Medicare Coverage in 2026 - AARP supports this forecast. [Industry Publication]Negotiated prices for 10 high-cost Medicare drugs took effect Jan. 1, 2026. “None with named individual attribution beyond the AARP article's own framing (no direct quotes from officials or beneficiaries present in the available text).”
• Financial Assistance Options for Medicare is what puts this forecast on the board. [Video]More than 12.3 million people are classified by the federal government as "dual eligible" (enrolled in both Medicare and Medicaid). “I can't afford Medicare. Is there any financial help available? Yes.”

Counter-signals

• Recorded Webinar | Medicare Savings Programs complicates the call. [Industry Publication]Webinar "Medicare Savings Programs" was published/posted May 27, 2026 by the Center for Medicare Advocacy (medicareadvocacy.org). “None attributed as direct spoken quotes within the available text; all statements are third-person program/bio descriptions rather than quoted speech.”

CMS tightens Medicare Advantage rules as UnitedHealthcare and Aetna dominate Arkansas's market 80

Supporting evidence

• Backing it: Five Medicare Advantage fixes we can all get behind (except the. [Substack / Newsletter]Beginning in 2024, MA plans may be no more restrictive with prior authorization requirements than traditional Medicare, per new Biden administration rule. “MA plans, however, pay more when more codes are added to a diagnosis.”

Counter-signals

• State Medicaid offices resolving HR1-related enrollment barriers, or federal action softening the 2026 Part B premium increase, would materially change these forecasts.

HR1-related barriers may blunt Medicare Savings Program enrollment despite rising need 48

Supporting evidence

• Recorded Webinar | Medicare Savings Programs is what puts this forecast on the board. [Industry Publication]Webinar addresses obstacles to enrollment/access to Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) "in the wake of HR1" (federal legislation referenced but not detailed in this text).

Counter-signals

• Recently approved - Medicare premiums? complicates the call. [Community / Forum]Original poster (OP, u/winterrose023) reports Social Security is deducting $185/month for Medicare from their award letter, reducing their monthly benefit to under $1,000. “I just received my award letter today and they will be deducting $185 a month for Medicare. This brings my monthly amount to under $1000 so I really can't…”
• Pushing back: Financial Assistance Options for Medicare. [Video]Medicaid is a joint federal-and-state program; it must follow federal guidelines but each state sets its own eligibility standards and coverage.

C

What could change these forecasts

Policy shifts around HR1 or federal premium decisions could alter how these forecasts play out.

One Thing to Keep in Mind

Weigh these differently: 91 has the strongest case behind it, 48 is the one worth watching closest for a reversal.

• If regulators or buyers move in the opposite direction, Premium and drug-cost pressure pushes more Arkansans toward savings programs would weaken first.
• If the source mix shifts toward stronger contrary evidence, HR1-related barriers may blunt Medicare Savings Program enrollment despite rising need could become the more durable forecast.

Methodology Each prediction goes through the same process: gather what our advocates are seeing on the ground, compare it against outside sources, then cut anything we cannot back up.

The programs in this guide exist because navigating Medicare alone is genuinely difficult - and because the consequences of making a wrong move can follow a family for years. Arkansas SHIP at 1-800-224-6330 is free and available to anyone on Medicare. Arkansas DHS at 1-800-482-8988 handles ARChoices and IndependentChoices applications. The Long-Term Care Ombudsman at 1-800-482-8049 serves anyone in a care facility. If you want a patient advocate to help you put the pieces together - someone who will stay with your case until care is in place - UnderstoodCare is available at 646-904-4027. You do not have to figure this out alone.