Arkansas
The purpose of this document is to provide resources for gathering more
information regarding Medicare Part D in your state. This listing supplies
contact information for state and federal agencies working on issues relating
to the Medicare prescription drug benefit. It also includes information
about groups with which MHAs may partner to conduct outreach and education
activities.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS):
- The Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit is administered
by CMS within the Department of Health and Human Services. The CMS
Region VI Office
serving Arkansas is located in Dallas, TX. For inquiries regarding
the CMS Medicare Prescription Drug Education Campaign, contact:
- Medicare
beneficiaries can also visit the official government website,
www.medicare.gov, for additional information, including
billing, appeals and enrollment. For general Medicare information, as well
as information
about health plans, contact the 24-hour toll-free hotline
at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
Social Security Administration (SSA):
- The Social Security Administration helps individuals determine
whether or not they qualify and how to apply for benefits, including
Extra Help
for the prescription drug benefit. SSA maintains a toll-free number,
1-800-772-1213, twenty-four hours a day.
- The Regional office of the Social Security Administration is located
in Dallas, TX. Its website is http://www.ssa.gov/dallas/index.htm.
-
Further contact information, including addresses, for SSA’s local
Arkansas offices can be found at http://www.ssa.gov/dallas/state_ar.html.
- Individuals are also able to search for local Social Security Administration
offices through a zip code locator at: http://s00dace.ssa.gov/pro/fol/fol-home.html.
State Medicaid Agency:
- To obtain information regarding Medicaid enrollment, eligibility
and coverage information for those residing in Arkansas, contact the
Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) at:
1-800-457-4454
http://www.medicaid.state.ar.us
State Pharmacy Assistance Programs (SPAPs):
- Additional prescription drug benefits may be offered through
a State Pharmacy Assistance Program.
-
Arkansas’ Prescription Drug Access Improvement Act was passed
in 2001 but has yet to be funded and is not currently operational.
- The Arkansas Rx Program was created in 2005 through legislation (HB
1241); however, individuals enrolled in Medicare Part D or Medicaid
will
not be eligible.
Access to Benefits Coalition (ABC):
- ABC coalitions work to help Medicare beneficiaries locate and
apply for additional assistance in paying for prescription drugs. They
also aid individuals
in enrolling in both public and private prescription savings programs.
www.accesstobenefits.org
- There is one regional coalition serving Arkansas:
- Lara Collins, Alzheimer’s
Association, Oklahoma and Arkansas Chapter: 501-265-0027 or laracollins@alz.org
State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP):
- SHIPs offer free counseling and assistance to Medicare beneficiaries
and their families. In addition, SHIPs will be planning Medicare
Part D enrollment and education events throughout each state. The National
Network
website is https://www.shiptalk.org. You may find information about
Arkansas’ SHIP
below or at the national website.
- Arkansas State Health Insurance
Assistance Program (SHIP), located within the Arkansas Insurance
Department, provides educational programs
and publications. They can be contacted at 1-800-432-4040 or http://insurance.arkansas.gov/seniors/divpage.htm
National Conference of State Legislatures (August 1, 2005). 2005 Prescription
Drug State Legislation, Mid-year Edition: updated August 1, 2005. NCSL Health
Program. Available at http://www.ncsl.org/programs/health/drugdisc05.htm.
www.nmha.org/medicare
For more information or questions, please email schrinfo@nmha.org or
call 1-800-969-6642
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