§ 23-61-1006 — Requirements for program participants

(a) The economic independence initiative applies to all program participants in accordance with the implementation schedule of the Department of Human Services. (b) Incentives established by the department for participation in the economic independence initiative and the health improvement initiative may include, without limitation, the waiver of premium payments and cost-sharing requirements as determined by the department for participation in one (1) or more initiatives. (c) Failure by a program participant to meet the cost-sharing and premium payment requirement under § 23-61-1005(a) may result in the accrual of a personal debt to the health insurer or provider. (d) (1) (A) Failure by the program participant to meet the initiative participation requirements of subsection (b) of this section may result in: (i) Being unenrolled from the individual qualified health insurance plan; or (ii) The loss of incentives, as defined by the department. (B) However, an individual who is unenrolled shall not lose Medicaid healthcare coverage based solely on disenrollment from the individual qualified health insurance plan. (2) The department shall develop and notify program participants of the criteria for restoring eligibility for incentive benefits that were removed as a result of the program participants' failure to meet the initiative participation requirements of subsection (b) of this section. (3) (A) A program participant who also meets the criteria of a community bridge organization target population may qualify for additional incentives by successfully completing the economic independence initiative provided through a community bridge organization. (B) If successfully completing the initiative results in an increase in the program participant's income that exceeds the program's financial eligibility limits, a program participant may receive, for a specified period of time, financial assistance to pay: (i) The individual's share of employer-sponsored health insurance coverage not to exceed a limit determined by the department; or (ii) A share of the individual's cost-sharing obligation, as determined by the department, if the individual enrolls in a health insurance benefit plan offered through the Arkansas Health Insurance Marketplace.

Legislative History

Amended by Act 2021, No. 530,§ 1, eff. on and after January 1, 2022. Added by Act 2016EX2, No. 2,§ 1, eff. 4/8/2016. Added by Act 2016EX2, No. 1,§ 1, eff. 4/8/2016.