Medicare in Arkansas
Free counseling, Medigap rules and help paying costs in Arkansas.
Medicare is a federal program, so Parts A and B work the same way in Arkansas as everywhere else. What changes by state is who can buy a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policy and when, which private plans are sold where you live, and the state programs that help with costs.
Free Medicare counseling in Arkansas
Arkansas’s State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) is Senior Health Insurance Information Program (AR SHIIP). Its counselors give free, one-on-one help with enrollment, comparing plans, Medigap, and programs that lower costs. They don’t sell insurance. Read more about what a SHIP counselor can do.
Medigap if you’re under 65
Each insurer must offer at least one standardized plan, without underwriting, to people under 65 who have Medicare because of a disability and apply within 6 months of enrolling in Part B. The rule doesn't clearly extend to people who qualify only because of ESRD.
Federal law only guarantees a Medigap Open Enrollment Period to people 65 and older, so state law decides what’s available before then. See Medicare under 65 on disability.
Switching Medigap plans in Arkansas
Arkansas has no birthday or anniversary rule. Outside your 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period and the federal guaranteed issue situations, an insurer can generally ask health questions, charge more, or decline your application when you switch policies.
Arkansas requires Medigap premiums to be community rated, so an insurer charges everyone who buys the same policy the same premium regardless of age.
Every state also has the federal guaranteed issue rights, such as losing employer coverage or a Medicare Advantage plan leaving your area. See Medigap guaranteed issue rights and switching Medigap plans.
Help paying Medicare costs in Arkansas
Arkansas’s Medicaid program (Arkansas Medicaid (expansion adults: ARHOME)) also runs the Medicare Savings Programs, which can pay your Part B premium and, for some people, deductibles and coinsurance. States may set limits higher than the federal minimums, so apply even if your income is a little over them. Qualifying for one also gets you Extra Help with drug costs automatically.
If you qualify for both Medicare and full Arkansas Medicaid (expansion adults: ARHOME) coverage, read Medicare and Medicaid together.
Medicare Advantage and Part D plans in Arkansas
Medicare Advantage and Part D plans are sold by county, so the plans, premiums and networks available in one part of Arkansas can differ from another. The Medicare Plan Finder lists every plan for your ZIP code. You can change plans during Medicare Open Enrollment, October 15 to December 7.
Common questions
Arkansas's State Health Insurance Assistance Program is Senior Health Insurance Information Program (AR SHIIP), reachable at 1-800-224-6330. SHIP counselors give free, unbiased Medicare help and don't sell insurance.
Each insurer must offer at least one standardized plan, without underwriting, to people under 65 who have Medicare because of a disability and apply within 6 months of enrolling in Part B. The rule doesn't clearly extend to people who qualify only because of ESRD.
Arkansas has no birthday or anniversary rule. Outside your Medigap Open Enrollment Period and federal guaranteed issue situations, insurers in Arkansas can generally use medical underwriting when you apply to switch.
Original Medicare's rules, premiums and deductibles are the same in every state (the standard Part B premium is $202.90 a month in 2026). What varies is which Medicare Advantage and Part D plans are sold in your county, state Medigap rules, and state programs that help pay costs.
Want help with your own choices?
Every state runs a State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) with trained counselors who give free, unbiased Medicare help and do not sell plans. Find yours on our Medicare by state pages, or call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) (TTY 1-877-486-2048, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week).
Planning the rest of your coverage in retirement? We can help with life insurance later in life and final expense coverage.
Sources
- Senior Health Insurance Information Program (AR SHIIP), insurance.arkansas.gov. Checked September 29, 2026.
- State Medigap Rules: Birthday Rule and Coverage for Under 65 (as of May 11, 2026), National Association of Insurance Commissioners. Checked September 29, 2026.
- Medigap rules and consumer protections, portal.insurance.arkansas.gov. Checked September 29, 2026.
- Medigap rules and consumer protections, codes.findlaw.com. Checked September 29, 2026.
- Medigap rules and consumer protections, kff.org. Checked September 29, 2026.
- Arkansas Insurance Department, insurance.arkansas.gov. Checked September 29, 2026.
- Choosing a Medigap Policy (March 2026), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Checked September 29, 2026.
- Medicare Savings Programs, Medicare.gov. Checked September 29, 2026.
General information about the federal Medicare program, not advice about your situation. Figures are for 2026 unless stated and change every year; last reviewed September 29, 2026. Quote My Policy is a private company. Not connected with or endorsed by the United States government or the federal Medicare program.
Quote My Policy does not sell Medicare plans on this site. For plan-specific help, contact Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) (TTY 1-877-486-2048, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week) or your State Health Insurance Assistance Program.