PASSE in Arkansas
PASSE is the system Arkansas Medicaid uses to coordinate care for individuals with developmental disabilities and behavioral health needs. This guide explains what PASSE is, how it works, and what families should know.
Quick Summary
PASSE = Provider-Led Arkansas Shared Savings Entity.
A Medicaid care coordination system for people with complex needs.
People on the Community (CES) Waiver are enrolled in a PASSE.
PASSE organizations coordinate services and supports.
Arkansas currently has four PASSE organizations.
On this page
What Families Need to Know
If your child or family member has Medicaid and significant behavioral health or developmental needs, you may hear the term PASSE.
PASSE stands for Provider-Led Arkansas Shared Savings Entity. It is a system Arkansas Medicaid uses to coordinate services for people who need more complex, long-term supports, especially those with:
Intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD)
Autism
Serious behavioral health needs
Complex medical and social support needs
Instead of each service being managed separately, a PASSE organization coordinates care and services together.
What Does a PASSE Do?
A PASSE acts as a care coordination system for people with more complex needs.
Your PASSE is responsible for helping coordinate services such as:
Medical care
Behavioral health services
Therapy services
Developmental disability supports
Home and community-based services
Case management and care coordination
The goal is to make sure all providers involved in care are working together and that individuals receive the services they need in a coordinated way.
The PASSE model was created to improve health outcomes and better organize care for individuals with intellectual disabilities, developmental disabilities, and behavioral health conditions.
Who Is Eligible for PASSE?
Not everyone with Medicaid is in a PASSE.
Generally, PASSE serves individuals who:
Have Medicaid
Have significant behavioral health needs OR intellectual/developmental disabilities
Qualify for certain levels of support services
Eligibility is typically determined through an independent functional assessment that evaluates a person’s needs and support requirements.
If someone qualifies, they are assigned to a PASSE organization that will help coordinate their services.
PASSE Organizations in Arkansas
Arkansas currently has four PASSE organizations that coordinate services for eligible individuals.
These organizations are:
Arkansas Total Care
Empower Healthcare Solutions
Summit Community Care
CareSource PASSE
Each PASSE works with a network of providers across Arkansas, including therapists, physicians, behavioral health providers, and developmental disability service providers.
Families typically work with a care coordinator from their assigned PASSE who helps organize services and supports.
In some situations, families may be able to request a change to a different PASSE, although there are specific rules and timelines for doing so.
What Services Can a PASSE Help With?
Depending on a person’s needs, a PASSE may coordinate services such as:
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
Speech therapy
Occupational therapy
Physical therapy
Behavioral health treatment
Developmental disability services
Supportive living services
Community-based supports
The PASSE does not always provide these services directly. Instead, it works with providers in its network to deliver care.
Care Coordination
One of the most important roles of a PASSE is care coordination.
A care coordinator helps families:
Understand what services are available
Connect with providers
Schedule evaluations and services
Navigate Medicaid requirements
Make sure providers are communicating with each other
For families managing multiple providers and services, care coordination can be extremely helpful.
Important Things Families Should Know
PASSE does not replace your providers.
Your child will still receive services from doctors, therapists, and specialists.
PASSE helps coordinate services
The PASSE works to ensure services are organized and communication happens between providers.
You will have a care coordinator
This person helps guide families through the system and connect them with resources.
When Does PASSE Apply?
Families often encounter PASSE when their child or family member:
Receives developmental disability services
Has significant behavioral health needs
Requires long-term service coordination
Not all children with Medicaid therapy services are enrolled in PASSE.
Frequently Asked Questions
If my child receives Community Waiver services, will they be in a PASSE?
Yes.
Individuals who receive services through the Community and Employment Supports (CES) Waiver, often called the Community Waiver, are enrolled in a PASSE.
The PASSE is responsible for coordinating services for individuals on the waiver, including:
Supportive living services
Community supports
Behavioral health services
Therapy services
Other Medicaid-covered supports
The PASSE works with the individual’s care coordinator and provider network to manage and organize these services.
What does PASSE stand for?
PASSE stands for Provider-Led Arkansas Shared Savings Entity. It is a system used by Arkansas Medicaid to coordinate care for people with behavioral health needs or intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Who is enrolled in a PASSE?
Not everyone with Medicaid is in a PASSE.
PASSE generally serves individuals who:
Have Arkansas Medicaid
Have significant behavioral health needs, or
Have intellectual or developmental disabilities
These individuals often need multiple services and long-term care coordination.
Do all children with Medicaid have a PASSE?
No.
Most children with Medicaid are not enrolled in a PASSE. PASSE is typically used for individuals who need more complex services and support coordination.
What does a PASSE do?
A PASSE helps coordinate services such as:
Medical care
Behavioral health treatment
Therapy services (ABA, speech, occupational, physical therapy)
Developmental disability services
Community supports
The goal is to make sure providers communicate and work together to support the individual.
What is a PASSE care coordinator?
A care coordinator is a person assigned by the PASSE organization to help manage services.
They may help families:
Understand available services
Connect with providers
Coordinate care between doctors and therapists
Navigate Medicaid systems
Many families rely on their care coordinator to help organize services.
Can I choose my PASSE?
Individuals who qualify for PASSE may have the option to choose which PASSE organization they enroll in, although some people are initially assigned one.
There are also specific time periods when PASSE changes can be requested.
Can I change my PASSE?
Yes, in some situations.
Arkansas Medicaid allows individuals to request a change to a different PASSE, but there are rules and timelines that apply.
You can usually start the process by contacting:
Your current PASSE, or
Arkansas Medicaid
Will PASSE change the providers my child can see?
Possibly.
Each PASSE has its own network of providers. In many cases, services must be provided by professionals who are in the PASSE’s network.
If a provider is not in network, families may need to request approval or consider switching providers.
Do PASSE organizations provide therapy services?
Usually not.
Most PASSE organizations coordinate care, but the actual services are provided by independent therapy providers, doctors, and service organizations that participate in the PASSE network.
What PASSE organizations operate in Arkansas?
Arkansas currently has four PASSE organizations:
Arkansas Total Care
Empower Healthcare Solutions
Summit Community Care
CareSource PASSE
Each PASSE works with its own network of providers across the state.
How does someone get enrolled in a PASSE?
Before a person can be enrolled in a PASSE, they usually must complete an Independent Assessment (IA).
This assessment evaluates a person’s functional needs and helps determine whether they qualify for PASSE services and what level of support they may need.
Helpful Resources
Families exploring TEFRA may also find these resources helpful.
Related programs on Real Life Resources
- Funding Sources Explained
- Community (CES) Waiver – Long-term supports for individuals with developmental disabilities in Arkansas.
- TEFRA Medicaid – Medicaid coverage for children with significant medical or developmental needs.
- ARKids First – Arkansas Medicaid health coverage program for children.
- First Connections – Early intervention services for infants and toddlers with developmental delays.
- Types of Therapy & Services – Overview of therapies such as ABA, speech, occupational, and physical therapy.
Official information and applications
- Arkansas Department of Human Services – PASSE Program Official information about the PASSE program from Arkansas Medicaid.
- Access Arkansas – Apply for Medicaid, check benefits, or update your information.
- Independent Assessment – The evaluation used to determine eligibility for certain services and PASSE enrollment.
External links open in a new tab.