Arkansas Medicaid clients asked to update contact info

Little Rock, Arkansas — The Arkansas Department of Human Services is asking for clients of Arkansas Medicaid and other services to update their contact information in an effort to keep eligible clients covered while preparing for the end of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency.

The Public Health Emergency, which was declared by the federal government during the early days of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, allowed states to temporarily stop disenrolling Medicaid clients from the program, even if they failed to meet eligibility. The goal was to keep as many Americans insured during the outbreak.

Only clients who died, moved out of state, were incarcerated, or asked that their coverage end had their cases closed, according to the release by DHS.

Though extended several times, the emergency is set to end on July 15, 2022.

DHS is encouraging all clients to be proactive and update their information, although it’s possible it could be extended again.

“We want everyone who is eligible for Medicaid to keep their coverage,” said DHS Deputy Director for Health and Medicaid Dawn Stehle. “Those clients who had their coverage extended due to the Public Health Emergency will need to watch for important information from DHS, so it’s critical that they take time now to make sure their address is correct.”

All Arkansas Medicaid clients, along with clients of ARHOME, PASSE, and ARKids are encouraged to update their information or verify that it is already correct, by calling the Update Arkansas hotline at 844-872-2660; online at access.arkansas.gov; or by visiting a local DHS office in your county.

“We know clients sometimes do not update their contact information, and we know that changes may have occurred over more than two years of this Public Health Emergency,” Stehle said. “We are committed to this effort and are doing everything we can to reach these clients. But we also need everyone’s help. If you know someone on Medicaid, please urge them to verify that their information is correct. It’s an easy step now that could be the difference between losing and keeping coverage after the Public Health Emergency ends.”