Arkansas Medicare Plans in 2026

Medicare in Arkansas details

According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), 682,876 people in Arkansas were enrolled in Medicare as of the 2025 Open Enrollment Period.

Other details about Medicare in Arkansas, according to the CMS, include:

• In 2026, the average monthly premium for Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans is estimated to decrease to $2.28, from $7.11 in 2025.
• Arkansas residents will have access to 91 Medicare Advantage plans in 2026.
• Arkansas residents will have the option of 12 stand-alone Part D plans in 2026.

Medicare options in Arkansas

Each part of Medicare covers specific services, so it’s important to understand each component to choose the best option for your needs.

Original Medicare

Original Medicare consists of Part A and Part B.

• Part A (hospital insurance): Part A covers inpatient care and services in hospitals and skilled nursing facilities. It also covers hospice care and some in-home healthcare.
• Part B (medical insurance): Part B covers outpatient care and services, including doctor visits, specialists, and preventive care. It also covers durable medical equipment (DME) and some in-home healthcare.

Most people do not have to pay a monthly premium for Part A. However, everyone is responsible for the deductible and coinsurance payments that are due each benefit period.

Everyone with Medicare is responsible for paying the Part B monthly premium and annual deductible.

Medicare Advantage

Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans are offered by Medicare-approved private insurers. These plans bundle Parts A and B with additional benefits, such as vision, dental, and fitness programs. Many Medicare Advantage plans also include prescription drug coverage (Part D).

The cost of Medicare Advantage plans varies based on the plan, company, and location.

Your choice of plans depends on where you live in Arkansas. Not all plans are available in every region, and each plan sets its own cost and coverage amounts.

You can find Medicare Advantage plans available in your area using the Medicare online search tool.

Medicare Part D

Medicare Part D helps cover the cost of prescription drugs. These plans are provided by Medicare-approved private insurance companies.

People with Original Medicare (parts A and B) can purchase a stand-alone Part D plan through one of the companies in their area. Individuals with Medicare Advantage (Part C) can select a plan that includes prescription drug coverage.

Each Part D plan provides a list of the prescription drugs it covers, known as a formulary. It is important to check a plan’s formulary when selecting your coverage.

Part D costs vary by plan, company, and location.

Medigap

Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) plans help with costs associated with Original Medicare, such as:

• copayments
• coinsurance
• deductibles

These plans are available through Medicare-approved private insurance companies. There are 10 different Medigap plans. While the coverage of each plan is standardized across most states, the cost of these plans will vary by location and other factors.

You can find available plans in your area using the Medicare online search tool.

Medicare enrollment in Arkansas 

You’re eligible for Medicare if you:

• are age 65 or over
• are a U.S. citizen or legal resident of at least 5 years

If you’re under age 65, you may be eligible for Medicare if you:

• received Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) benefits for at least 24 months
• have end stage renal disease (ESRD) or a kidney transplant
• have amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease

When can you enroll in Medicare in Arkansas?

You can enroll in Medicare or change your coverage during specific periods:

• Initial Enrollment Period (IEP): This lasts for 7 months — 3 months before your 65th birthday, your birth month, and 3 months after.
• Open Enrollment Period (OEP): From October 15 to December 7, you can enroll, switch plans, or drop coverage.
• Medicare Advantage OEP: If you’re already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can make changes from January 1 to March 31.
• Medigap OEP: You have six months after turning 65 to enroll in Medigap.

Certain life events can trigger a special enrollment period, allowing you to sign up for Medicare outside of standard enrollment.

Tips for enrolling in Medicare in Arkansas

To help you narrow down your options, consider the following:

• Provider network: To maximize the benefits of a Medicare Advantage plan, you may need to use in-network providers. Before enrolling, confirm that your healthcare team is part of the network.
• Prescription drugs: Create a complete list of your medications and compare it with the coverage offered by stand-alone prescription drug plans and Medicare Advantage plans in your area. Ensure your medications are covered and reasonably priced.
• Travel coverage: Some Medicare Advantage plans provide coverage outside the plan’s service area. If you travel frequently, it may be beneficial to select a plan that offers this coverage.
• Plan performance: The CMS publishes annual performance ratings for Medicare plans, ranging from one to five stars, with five being the highest rating.

Arkansas Medicare resources

Medicare has a helpline with staff available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (excluding some federal holidays) to answer your questions. You can call Medicare at 1-800-633-4227 (TTY: 1-877-486-2048).

For personalized health insurance counseling, contact Arkansas’sState Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)at 1 (800) 224-6330.

The bottom line

More than 600,000 Arkansas residents were enrolled in Medicare by the 2025 Open Enrollment Period.

Several private insurance companies offer Medicare Advantage (Part C), Medigap, and Part D plans throughout the state.

Overall, monthly premium costs for Medicare Advantage plans in Arkansas are set to decrease in 2026.