Arkansas Medicaid waiver guide
Learn how Arkansas Medicaid waiver services work, which state agency to start with, how the application process usually begins, and where to search for home and community-based services.
Last reviewed July 2026. See something out of date? Use the “Suggest an edit” button to let us know.
Arkansas serves people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through one main Medicaid waiver: the Community and Employment Support (CES) Waiver, run by the Division of Developmental Disabilities Services (DDS) at the Department of Human Services. Arkansans of all ages can apply, and the entry point is a single number — DDS Intake and Referral at 501-683-5687. There is a waiting list, and it is ordered by the date you were added, so applying early is the single most useful thing you can do. Once you are enrolled, your CES services are managed through a PASSE — a Provider-Led Arkansas Shared Savings Entity — which is Arkansas's managed care model for people with IDD and behavioral health needs.
Search by state, city, or ZIP code to compare provider profiles, services, contact details, and verified status.
Arkansans with intellectual or developmental disabilities
Everyone receiving CES Waiver services — PASSE manages your care
Children (Early Intervention Day Treatment) and adults (Adult Developmental Day Treatment)
The CES Waiver serves Arkansans of all ages with intellectual or developmental disabilities who would otherwise need care in an institution such as a nursing home or intermediate care facility. A DDS clinical review team examines your medical records and looks at whether your diagnosis or condition is expected to continue indefinitely, and whether you need substantial support in at least three of these areas: self-care, understanding and use of language, learning, mobility, self-direction, and the ability to live independently. Note that waiver eligibility rules differ from traditional Medicaid rules — a family that does not qualify for regular Medicaid may still qualify for waiver services.
A diagnosis or condition that is expected to continue indefinitely, reviewed by a DDS clinical review team using your medical records.
You must need substantial support in at least three of: self-care, understanding and use of language, learning, mobility, self-direction, and the ability to live independently.
The waiver exists to let people live in the community rather than in a nursing home or intermediate care facility, so you must meet that level of care.
Waiver programs have different eligibility rules than traditional Medicaid. Families who were turned down for regular Medicaid may still qualify for waiver services — do not let a prior Medicaid denial stop you from applying.
There is a waiting list for CES Waiver services. Eligible people move into waiver slots based on when they were added to the list, so the date you apply is what sets your place. Being on the list does not provide waiver services, but if you qualify for Medicaid you can receive a meaningful set of regular Medicaid services while you wait.
Call 501-683-5687 or submit an online request for services. This is the starting point for the CES Waiver regardless of age or county.
Open linkA DDS clinical review team reviews medical records to decide whether your condition is expected to continue indefinitely and whether you need substantial support in at least three of the five functional areas.
If you meet the level of care, you are placed on the CES Waiver waiting list. Your position is set by the date you were added, so do this as early as you can — even years before you expect to need services.
Apply through Access Arkansas for traditional Medicaid, ARKids First, or TEFRA — TEFRA in particular can cover children with disabilities regardless of family income. You can also apply for SSI Medicaid. Approved applicants can receive primary and specialist care, personal care, therapies, medicines, behavioral health counseling, DME, and day treatment while waiting.
Open linkDDS sends a letter every year asking you to update your contact information. Returning it keeps you reachable and on the list — a missed letter is an avoidable way to lose ground.
When a slot opens you enroll in the CES Waiver and are assigned to a PASSE that manages your services. You have 90 days to switch to a different PASSE if you would rather use another one.
Open linkExact covered services depend on the waiver, assessed need, Medicaid rules, funding, and state program requirements. Confirm services, availability, and payment acceptance with the state, support coordinator, and provider.
Arkansas offers self-direction within the CES Waiver, letting participants take a role in choosing and managing their own supports and staff. Because your services are managed through a PASSE, ask your care coordinator exactly which services can be self-directed under your plan.
Approved CES Waiver services are paid by Arkansas Medicaid. Once enrolled, there is generally little or no direct cost for covered services.
TEFRA is a Medicaid pathway for children with disabilities that does not count parental income the way regular Medicaid does. Families who assume they earn too much often qualify. Apply through Access Arkansas.
Waiver services are specific approved supports and do not replace regular Medicaid health care or non-emergency transportation, which are covered separately. Some specialized services require a PCP referral and evaluation.
Early Intervention Day Treatment (EIDT) serves children from birth through 21 with evaluations and therapeutic, developmental, and preventative services through a licensed pediatric day treatment clinic.
Because the CES waiting list is date-ordered, adding a child early is the highest-leverage decision a family makes. There is no advantage to waiting until needs become urgent.
School districts provide special education under an IEP. Waiver and day treatment services are separate from and additional to what school provides.
Adult Developmental Day Treatment (ADDT) provides assessments, supervised living, and educational services for adults. Employment supports and coaching under the CES Waiver are built around working in the community.
If waiver eligibility or a service is denied, reduced, or ended, you have the right to appeal and to request a Medicaid fair hearing within the deadline on your notice. If your services are managed by a PASSE, there is also a plan-level appeal process — ask for both in writing. Disability Rights Arkansas is the state's protection and advocacy organization and provides free help.
Protection & Advocacy organization for Arkansas
1-800-482-1174Visit siteStart here — CES Waiver applications and eligibility
501-683-5687Visit siteEmail DHS.DDS.Waiver.AU@dhs.arkansas.gov to ask for your waitlist number
Visit siteManaged care for CES Waiver members
1-833-402-0672Visit siteApply for Medicaid, ARKids First, or TEFRA while you wait
Visit siteFree disability rights and appeals help
1-800-482-1174Visit siteIt is date-ordered. Eligible people move into CES Waiver slots based on when they were added to the list, so the application date is what sets your place. That makes applying early — even long before services are needed — the most useful thing you can do.
Yes, if you qualify for Medicaid. Approved applicants can receive primary and specialist care, personal care, therapies, medicines, outpatient behavioral health counseling, durable medical equipment, and day treatment while on the waiting list. Apply through Access Arkansas.
Yes. Waiver programs have different eligibility rules than traditional Medicaid, so a family that does not qualify for regular Medicaid may still qualify for waiver services. Also ask about TEFRA, which can cover a child with disabilities without counting parental income the usual way.
A Provider-Led Arkansas Shared Savings Entity — Arkansas's managed care organization model for people with intellectual, developmental, or behavioral health needs. Everyone getting CES Waiver services is enrolled in one, and you have 90 days to switch to a different PASSE if you prefer.
Email DHS.DDS.Waiver.AU@dhs.arkansas.gov to ask for your waitlist number, or call DDS Intake and Referral at 501-683-5687. Also watch for the letter DDS sends each year asking you to update your contact information — return it.
The CES Waiver serves Arkansans of all ages with intellectual or developmental disabilities who would otherwise need care in an institution such as a nursing home or intermediate care facility. A DDS clinical review team examines your medical records and looks at whether your diagnosis or condition is expected to continue indefinitely, and whether you need substantial support in at least three of these areas: self-care, understanding and use of language, learning, mobility, self-direction, and the ability to live independently. Note that waiver eligibility rules differ from traditional Medicaid rules — a family that does not qualify for regular Medicaid may still qualify for waiver services.
contact dds intake and referral, clinical review of your records, go on the waiting list, get coverage and services while you wait, then enroll and choose providers. Start with Arkansas DHS Division of Developmental Disabilities Services.
Covered services vary by waiver and assessed need, and commonly include in-home supports, respite, supported employment, day services, behavior support, residential supports. Confirm specifics with the state and provider.
There is a waiting list for CES Waiver services. Eligible people move into waiver slots based on when they were added to the list, so the date you apply is what sets your place. Being on the list does not provide waiver services, but if you qualify for Medicaid you can receive a meaningful set of regular Medicaid services while you wait.
Approved waiver services are generally covered by Medicaid at little or no direct cost once enrolled, though some enrollees may owe a monthly patient responsibility based on income.
How the waiver works, who can apply, the waiting list, and what you can receive while waiting.
ArkansasApply for Medicaid, ARKids First, or TEFRA coverage while on the waiting list.
ArkansasArkansas's managed care model for people with IDD and behavioral health needs.
ArkansasFree protection and advocacy services, including appeals help.
ArkansasFind waiver providers and services in Arkansas on Waiverly.
Want to deliver these services instead? How to become a waiver provider in Arkansas
Looking for another state? Browse the full resource map