The Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS)
recently submitted waiver amendments to the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to
make several changes to the Private Option beginning
February 1, 2015. As required by Act 257 of 2014, DHS
must submit and seek approval from HHS to make the
following changes:
• Creation of a health savings account model, or
Independence Accounts, that require monthly
contributions;
• Requirement for people with incomes below
50 percent of the federal poverty level to make
monthly payments;
• Implementation of new limits on non-emergency
transportation, such as rides to a doctor’s
appointment.