Medicare in Arkansas: 2026 Plans, Costs, and Enrollment Guide
- 91 Medicare Advantage plans across all 75 Arkansas counties (CMS 2026 Fact Sheet)
- 29 Medigap carriers offering Plan G (TPP rate database, CY2026); attained-age pricing
- 12 standalone Part D plans in PDP Region 19 (Arkansas-only)
- Avg MA premium $2.28/mo (CMS 2026 Fact Sheet)
- LIS benchmark: $8.93/mo (Region 19)
Arkansas Medicare Snapshot
Arkansas has 91 Medicare Advantage plans for 2026 with availability across all 75 Arkansas counties (CMS 2026 Medicare MA & Part D Landscape State-by-State Fact Sheet). Arkansas uses the standard federal Medigap plan letters with attained-age pricing and does not have a state Medigap Birthday Rule or Anniversary Rule.
The average monthly MA premium in Arkansas is $2.28 in 2026, up from $2.65 in 2025 (CMS 2026 Fact Sheet). The standard Medicare Part B premium is $202.90/month in 2026.
| Metric | Arkansas 2026 | Source |
|---|---|---|
| MA plans available | 63 (all 75 Arkansas counties) | CMS 2026 MA & Part D Landscape Fact Sheet |
| Avg MA premium | $2.28/mo (2025: $2.65) | CMS 2026 MA & Part D Landscape Fact Sheet |
| Avg MA star rating | 3.85 / 5.0 | CMS CY2026 Landscape |
| Medigap carriers (Plan G) | 38 (attained-age, standard letters) | TPP internal data, CY2026 |
| HDG carriers | 29 (attained-age) | TPP internal data, CY2026 |
| Standalone Part D plans | 11 (PDP Region 19 — IA/MN/MT/ND/NE/SD/WY) | CMS 2026 MA & Part D Landscape Fact Sheet |
| Part D LIS benchmark (Region 19) | $8.93/mo | CMS CY2026 Regional Rates & Benchmarks |
Plan Types Available in Arkansas
Medicare Advantage (Part C)
Arkansas offers 91 Medicare Advantage plans for 2026 (CMS 2026 Fact Sheet). Top carriers include Humana, UnitedHealthcare, and Aetna Medicare. Check Medicare Plan Finder for per-plan star ratings in your county.
Medigap (Medicare Supplement)
Arkansas uses the standard federal Medigap plan letters (A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, N, plus HDG and HDF). 20 carriers offer Plan G in Arkansas in the TPP rate database (CY2026, non-tobacco, ages 65–85). Plans C, F, and High-Deductible Plan F (HDF) are closed to anyone who first became Medicare-eligible on or after January 1, 2020 (under MACRA 2015); beneficiaries who were Medicare-eligible before that date may still buy Plans C, F, or HDF from carriers that continue to offer them. High-Deductible Plan G (HDG) is the post-2020 high-deductible Medigap option and is offered by 20 Arkansas carriers.
Arkansas Medigap rates use attained-age pricing — premiums increase as you age. Arkansas does not have a state Medigap Birthday Rule or Anniversary Rule. See our MA vs Medigap comparison →
Standalone Part D (Prescription Drug Plans)
Arkansas is in CMS PDP Region 19 (combined with Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming). For 2026, there are 12 standalone PDP plans available to Arkansas beneficiaries (CMS 2026 Fact Sheet).
Costs in Arkansas
Medicare Advantage Premiums
The average monthly MA premium in Arkansas is $2.28 in 2026, up from $2.65 in 2025 (CMS 2026 Fact Sheet). The standard Medicare Part B premium is $202.90/month in 2026.
Medigap Premiums — Plan G and HDG
Arkansas Medigap rates use attained-age pricing. Across the 29 Arkansas Plan G carriers (non-tobacco, ages 65–85), Plan G monthly premiums in 2026 range from approximately $154 to $499/month (TPP rate database, CY2026).
High-Deductible Plan G (HDG) is offered by 20 Arkansas carriers; premiums range from approximately $143 to $464/month (TPP rate database, CY2026, non-tobacco, ages 65–85). HDG works well for beneficiaries who want catastrophic protection at a lower monthly cost and can absorb the $2,950 annual deductible (2026 CMS high-deductible Medigap deductible).
Part D Costs and the LIS Benchmark
For 2026, Arkansas (PDP Region 19 — IA/MN/MT/ND/NE/SD/WY) has 12 standalone PDP plans (CMS 2026 Fact Sheet). The CMS Low Income Subsidy (LIS / Extra Help) benchmark premium for Region 19 is $8.93/month (CMS CY2026 Regional Rates and Benchmarks).
Arkansas-Specific Medicare Rules
No State Medigap Birthday Rule
Arkansas does not have a state Medigap Birthday Rule or Anniversary Rule. Outside of the federal 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period and qualifying federal guaranteed-issue events, most Medigap purchases in Arkansas are subject to medical underwriting at the carrier's discretion.
Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs)
Arkansas offers Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) through the Arkansas Department of Human Services (Medicaid) (Arkansas Department of Health and Human Services):
- QMB (Qualified Medicare Beneficiary): Covers Part A and Part B premiums, deductibles, and cost-sharing.
- SLMB (Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary): Covers Part B premiums only.
- QI (Qualifying Individual): Also covers Part B premiums; subject to annual appropriations.
Apply through the Arkansas Department of Human Services (Medicaid) or contact Arkansas SHIP (1-800-224-6330) for free enrollment assistance. MSP enrollment also automatically qualifies you for Extra Help / LIS on Part D. Learn more about MSPs →
Arkansas SHIP
Arkansas SHIP (Senior Health Insurance Information Program (Arkansas SHIP)) is Arkansas's federally designated State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), operated by the Arkansas Insurance Department. Arkansas SHIP provides free, unbiased Medicare counseling statewide.
Phone: 1-800-224-6330
Website: insurance.arkansas.gov/pages/consumer-services/senior-health
Enrolling in Medicare in Arkansas
Standard Enrollment Periods
- Initial Enrollment Period (IEP): 7-month window centered on your 65th birthday month. Enroll at ssa.gov or call 1-800-772-1213.
- Annual Election Period (AEP): October 15 – December 7 each year.
- Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (OEP): January 1 – March 31.
- Federal 6-month Medigap OEP: Starts when you are 65+ and enrolled in Part B; first-time Medigap guaranteed-issue.
- Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs): Learn more →
Arkansas SHIP Counseling
Contact Arkansas SHIP at 1-800-224-6330 for free one-on-one Medicare guidance statewide.