ARKids First

Medicaid is a Lifeline for Arkansas Kids

ARKids First is how the federal Medicaid program brings money to Arkansas to protect our most vulnerable children. In Arkansas, Medicaid for children is almost universally known as “ARKids First.”

ARKids First keeps Arkansas kids healthy. Because ARKids First is a lifeline, Medicaid is a lifeline.

ARKids First via Medicaid provides affordable insurance coverage to children in lower-income families and to kids with special health care needs. As a federal-state partnership, Medicaid is the largest source of children's health care coverage in the U.S., making ARKids the largest source for children in Arkansas.

More than 400,000 Arkansas children rely on ARKids First via Medicaid for health care services, with children representing more than 38 percent of all Medicaid enrollees.

Without ARKids First via Medicaid, Arkansas Children’s could not offer the care needed for kids with severe medical conditions.

Nationwide, there are approximately 75 million children. About 95% of those children are insured through a variety of programs, including Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), TRICARE, employer-based, direct purchase, and other public coverage.

Medicaid, through programs like ARKids First, offers essential health care coverage to 37 million children, and it is vital to ensuring our nation’s children are healthy and able to thrive into adulthood.

ARKids First via Medicaid was designed with kids in mind

ARKids via Medicaid provides children access to a comprehensive set of services through the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment (EPSDT) benefit. This benefit ensures Medicaid covers the preventive services all kids need—things like immunizations, well-child checkups, and vision and dental services. What's more, one in three children in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) have behavioral health needs that can be treated earlier in part thanks to EPSDT. Medicaid also covers medically necessary care, so children can see a pediatric specialist or get the therapy they need.

ARKids First via Medicaid steps up for kids when they need it most

Most of our nation's sickest children get coverage through Medicaid, which is ARKids in Arkansas. For kids born with or who develop serious medical conditions, Medicaid provides coverage or fills coverage gaps for services not covered by private insurance. No one plans for kids to get sick, but thankfully Medicaid via ARKids is a safety net for all our children.

ARKids First via Medicaid helps our kids reach their full potential

ARKids via Medicaid helps kids grow into healthy and productive adults. Compared to uninsured children, those covered by Medicaid are more likely to have better health outcomes as adults, with higher school attendance and academic achievement. This leads to greater resiliency and success in careers and life.

Children insured through ARKids First via Medicaid rely on children's hospitals

Children’s hospitals are at the core of the health care delivery system for children, bringing together teams of specialists to provide care not available in any other setting. Since they serve children from many states, children's hospitals must coordinate with multiple state Medicaid programs.

ARKids First via Medicaid is vital for kids’ health

Medicaid funding ensures children's hospitals are able to be there for all children. On average, Medicaid reimburses children’s hospitals only 80% of the cost of care provided — even including all supplemental payments. Although there is room for improvement, continued investment in Medicaid and ARKids First is critical to children's health and our nation's future.