Arkansas Cliff Calculator — 2026 ACA Subsidy

By Severance Calculator Editorial · Updated

Arkansas Marketplace: Arkansas Health Insurance Marketplace

Arkansas uses a state-based marketplace on the federal platform (SBM-FP) called Arkansas Health Insurance Marketplace. Arkansas residents enroll at Arkansas Health Insurance Marketplace — not HealthCare.gov.

Medicaid in Arkansas: Arkansas Medicaid (ARHOME for expansion adults via 1115 waiver)

Arkansas expanded Medicaid under the ACA. Arkansas Medicaid (ARHOME for expansion adults via 1115 waiver) covers adults to 138% FPL.

2026 SLCSP Benchmark Premiums (Arkansas)

Statewide average monthly second-lowest-cost Silver plan (SLCSP) premiums by age. Actual premiums vary by rating area.

Age2130405060
Monthly SLCSP$410$465$524$732$1,113

2026 ACA Cliff Thresholds by Household Size (Arkansas)

MAGI above these amounts zeros out the federal Premium Tax Credit. FPL region: contiguous48.

Household size12345
400% FPL cliff$62,600$84,600$106,600$128,600$150,600

Key Facts: Arkansas ACA

Arkansas is one of only two SBM-FP (State-based Marketplace using Federal Platform) states for 2026, alongside Oregon. Residents enroll through HealthCare.gov, but Arkansas maintains its own marketplace authority under the Arkansas Health Insurance Marketplace brand at myarinsurance.com. As healthinsurance.org describes it: 'State-based Marketplace – Federal Platform (HealthCare.gov)' — a hybrid model where the state controls plan certification and consumer assistance but relies on federal enrollment infrastructure.

Arkansas's most distinctive Medicaid feature is ARHOME — the Arkansas Health and Opportunity for Me program — a §1115 demonstration waiver that replaced Arkansas Works in 2022. ARHOME is one of the country's most innovative Medicaid expansion mechanisms: rather than enrolling expansion adults (19-64, up to 138% FPL) in traditional Medicaid, ARHOME uses state and federal Medicaid funds to purchase private commercial marketplace insurance plans on behalf of those adults. This 'private option' approach was pioneered by Arkansas in 2014 and has been refined through successive waivers. Premiums for ARHOME enrollees are typically $0 since Medicaid funds cover the cost. No state-funded premium subsidy backfill exists in 2026 for marketplace enrollees above 138% FPL.

Calculate your Arkansas ACA cliff

Inputs default to Arkansas; adjust to your household specifics. Cliff = $62,600 (HH=1) / $128,600 (HH=4).

Your situation

Member ages
self

Coverage

Income

You're under the cliff

100%138%200%300%400%

You are at 319% of the federal poverty level.

Annual PTC
$1,308
$109 / month
MAGI headroom before cliff
$12,600
until you hit 400% FPL

PTC dollar values use a state-level SLCSP estimate; verify your exact second-lowest-cost Silver plan on healthcare.gov for your zip.

Primary Sources

  1. healthinsurance.org — Arkansas Marketplace
    “State-based Marketplace – Federal Platform (HealthCare.gov)”
  2. healthinsurance.org — Arkansas SBM-FP description
    “Arkansas residents enroll in ACA-compliant plans through a state-based exchange/Marketplace that utilizes the federal enrollment platform (SBE-FP).”

FAQ — Arkansas ACA Cliff

What is the 2026 ACA subsidy cliff in Arkansas?
For a household of 1, MAGI above $62,600 (400% of the 2025 FPL contiguous-48 base) zeros out the federal Premium Tax Credit under IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-25. Household of 4: $128,600. Arkansas has no state subsidy backfill, so crossing this threshold eliminates all premium assistance.
What is Arkansas's marketplace type?
Arkansas is a State-based Marketplace using Federal Platform (SBM-FP) for 2026. Residents enroll through HealthCare.gov, but the Arkansas Health Insurance Marketplace (myarinsurance.com) oversees plan certification and state-level consumer assistance. This is a hybrid model — you shop at HealthCare.gov but the state controls marketplace policy.
What is ARHOME?
ARHOME (Arkansas Health and Opportunity for Me) is a §1115 Medicaid demonstration waiver that covers expansion adults (ages 19-64, income up to 138% FPL) through private commercial marketplace plans rather than traditional Medicaid. State and federal Medicaid funds pay the premiums, so enrollees typically pay $0. ARHOME replaced the earlier Arkansas Works waiver in 2022 and is a refinement of the original 2014 'private option' pioneered by Arkansas.
Did Arkansas expand Medicaid?
Yes — Arkansas expanded Medicaid eligibility to adults earning up to 138% FPL, but through the privatized ARHOME 1115 waiver rather than traditional Medicaid enrollment. Expansion adults are placed in commercial marketplace plans funded by Medicaid dollars. This is classified as 'expanded' under ACA criteria.
How do I enroll in 2026 coverage in Arkansas?
Arkansas uses HealthCare.gov for marketplace enrollment; the Arkansas Health Insurance Marketplace (myarinsurance.com) provides state-specific information and assistance. Open enrollment runs November 1 through January 15. For Medicaid (ARHOME), apply at access.arkansas.gov year-round if your income is at or below 138% FPL.
Does Arkansas have a state subsidy on top of the federal PTC?
No — Arkansas has no state-funded premium subsidy backfill in 2026. Residents above 138% FPL rely solely on the federal Premium Tax Credit. ARHOME subsidizes coverage for those at or below 138% FPL through Medicaid funding, but that is not a marketplace PTC stack.
How is SLCSP calculated for Arkansas?
The 2026 statewide SLCSP age-band averages for Arkansas are: Age 21: $410/mo, Age 30: $465/mo, Age 40: $524/mo, Age 50: $732/mo, Age 60: $1,113/mo. These are statewide averages; your specific county may vary. The federal cliff distance (income vs. 400% FPL) is exact regardless of SLCSP precision.

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