Arkansas Health Insurance

How healthy is living in Arkansas?

Arkansas was ranked in 2008 as the 43rd healthiest state to live in – climbing five spots from its 2007 ranking, according to the United Health Foundation.

The good news:

• The state's improved ranking was due in part to a 6 percent decrease in the prevalence of smoking, a 33 percent decline in the percentage of children in poverty.
• Arkansas has one of the lowest rates when it comes to the prevalence of binge drinking.
• The state's strengths also included a moderate public health funding of $73 per person.

The bad news:

• In the past year, the state's rating for prevalence of obesity increased by 9 percent, dropping the state's ranking in that category to 45th.
• Only three states had worse rankings for premature death.

The state's best and worst category ratings:

• Prevalence of binge drinking – 7th
• Lack of health insurance – 40th
• Number of primary care physicians – 41st
• Infant mortality – 41st
• Cardiovascular deaths – 43rd
• Preventable hospitalizations – 43rd
• Poor physical health days – 45th
• Cancer deaths – 45th
• Occupational fatalities – 45th
• Prevalence of obesity – 45th
• Immunization coverage – 46th
• Premature death – 47th

See the United Health Foundation's latest findings on Arkansas.

Does Arkansas have a risk pool for the uninsurable?

Arkansas Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan
Toll-free 1-800-285-6477

Risk pools are state-sponsored programs to help people with a history of medical problems in their family to purchase coverage. These pools are for people who can afford to buy health insurance, but are not able to get underwritten in the private market because of a pre-existing health condition. These programs can vary significantly from state-to-state in price, benefits and number of people served. Often insurance companies doing business in the state are required to contribute to the poolto keep it in the black. In the best cases they allow people to be able to switch jobs or become self-employed without the fear of losing their health insurance coverage. Find more on risk pools here.

Mini-meds a guaranteed-issue option for those who are medically uninsurable

An option for the medically uninsurable is a guaranteed-issue mini-med health insurance plan. There is no underwriting and no health questions are asked.

These plans provide basic coverage but are not designed to help with catastrophic expenses. They can often count as creditable coverage, eliminating the waiting period for pre-existing conditions if you later move to an employer-based plan. Read more here.

Cover The Uninsured's guide on finding health insurance in Arkansas

Cover The Uninsured is a national effort to highlight the fact that too many Americans are living without health insurance and to demand solutions from our nation's leaders. Read more information on its efforts. It is a project of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

• Cover The Uninsured's facts on the uninsured in Arkansas and all other states.
• Its guide on how to find health insurance in Arkansas.
• Materiales En Español – Guías para encontrar cobertura de seguro de salud.

USNews health insurance rankings for Arkansas

US News does an annual ranking of what it considers the best health insurance plans in each state. Visit its reports on various health insurance or medical insurance plans being offered in Arkansas.

Official State Goverment Sites with Arkansas Health Insurance Information

Arkansas Insurance Department Life and Health Division -- regulates life and health insurance in Arkansas.

Arkansas Insurance Department Consumer Services Division -- regulates life and health insurance in Arkansas.

Arkansas Senior Health Insurance Information Program -- regulates life and health insurance in Arkansas.

ARKIDS 1ST -- provides two coverage options for more than 70,000 Arkansas children: ARKids A offers low-income families a comprehensive package of benefits; ARKids B provides coverage for families with higher incomes.