ARHIPP in Arkansas: Help Paying for Private Health Insurance
ARHIPP helps some Arkansas families pay for private health insurance premiums when their child qualifies for Medicaid. Many families whose children qualify for TEFRA Medicaid may also qualify for ARHIPP. It allows families to keep private insurance while Medicaid helps cover the cost when it is more cost-effective. This guide explains how ARHIPP works, who may qualify, and what families should know.
Quick Summary
- ARHIPP stands for Arkansas Health Insurance Premium Payment Program
- It helps families pay for private health insurance premiums when a child qualifies for Medicaid
- Many families with children on TEFRA Medicaid may also qualify for ARHIPP
- ARHIPP allows families to keep private insurance while Medicaid helps cover the cost
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What is ARHIPP?
ARHIPP stands for the Arkansas Health Insurance Premium Payment Program. It is a Medicaid program that helps families pay for private health insurance premiums when keeping that insurance is more cost-effective for Medicaid.
Instead of replacing private insurance, ARHIPP allows families to maintain their private health plan while Medicaid helps cover the cost of the premiums. In many situations, this allows the child to receive coverage from both private insurance and Medicaid.
Families whose children qualify for TEFRA Medicaid are often encouraged to maintain private insurance if it is available. In these cases, ARHIPP may help reimburse the cost of the insurance premiums.
Who Qualifies for ARHIPP?
Eligibility for ARHIPP depends on several factors.
Generally:
• The child must qualify for Medicaid coverage
• The family must have access to private health insurance
• Arkansas Medicaid must determine that paying the insurance premium is cost-effective
Each situation is reviewed individually to determine whether ARHIPP participation is appropriate.
How ARHIPP Works
The process typically looks like this:
A child qualifies for Medicaid (often through programs like TEFRA).
The family has access to private health insurance.
Medicaid reviews whether paying the insurance premium would save money compared to covering all services directly.
If approved, the family may receive reimbursement for eligible insurance premiums through ARHIPP.
This allows families to maintain their private insurance while Medicaid acts as additional support for the child’s medical needs.
What Families Should Know
• ARHIPP does not replace private insurance — it helps families afford it.
• Families typically must pay the insurance premium first, then receive reimbursement.
• Medicaid may still act as secondary coverage for services not fully covered by the private plan.
• Not every family with private insurance will qualify, as Medicaid must determine that participation is cost-effective.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to have private insurance to qualify for ARHIPP?
Yes. ARHIPP helps families pay for private health insurance premiums when Medicaid determines it is cost-effective to keep that insurance.
Do I still get Medicaid if I have ARHIPP?
Yes. Private insurance remains the primary coverage, and Medicaid may act as secondary coverage for services that are not fully covered.
Do families receive the insurance premium payment directly?
In many cases, families must pay the premium first and then submit documentation to receive reimbursement through ARHIPP.
Will I automatically get ARHIPP if my child has TEFRA?
No. Some children with TEFRA may also qualify for ARHIPP if private insurance is available, but ARHIPP approval is not automatic.
What if my family does not have access to private insurance?
ARHIPP is only available when private insurance is available. Families without access to private insurance may still qualify for Medicaid through programs such as TEFRA.
Helpful Resources
Families exploring TEFRA may also find these resources helpful.
Related programs on Real Life Resources
- Funding Sources Explained
- TEFRA – Medicaid for children with complex medical needs
- Autism Waiver – Medicaid waiver for autism services
- First Connections – Early intervention services for infants and toddlers
Official information and applications
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