Arkansas Requests Temporary Extension In Response To CMS Waiver Renewal Denial; Plans To Redesign ARHOME Medicaid Expansion Model

Arkansas will develop a new service delivery model for its ARHOME Medicaid expansion program after the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) determined that the state’s pending waiver renewal would not comply with new federal budget-neutrality rules taking effect in 2027. The Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) is seeking a temporary two-year extension of the current waiver while it develops the replacement model.

DHS formally requested the two-year temporary extension on August 5, 2026, to provide additional time to develop a new Medicaid expansion service delivery system. DHS said CMS has signaled that it . . .