Arkansas uses a unique hybrid Medicaid model that combines traditional Fee-for-Service with Provider-Led Arkansas Shared Savings Entities (PASSEs) for complex behavioral health and I/DD populations — a structure that no other state replicates and that catches most expanding practices off guard.
What Is the MMIS Provider Portal?
The MMIS Provider Portal, managed by AFMC and Gainwell Technologies, is the sole enrollment platform for Arkansas Medicaid. All initial enrollments, re-enrollments, and revalidations must be submitted through this portal. There is no paper alternative for new enrollments.
Step-by-Step Arkansas Medicaid Enrollment
Arkansas enrollment follows a standard portal workflow, but providers serving behavioral health or I/DD populations must add a separate PASSE credentialing step.
Create an MMIS Portal Account
Register at the Arkansas MMIS Provider Portal with your NPI, Tax ID, and contact email. Group practices must register the organizational entity first, then link individual providers.
Select Application Type and Provider Category
Choose New Enrollment or Revalidation. Select your provider type carefully — Arkansas uses specific provider type codes that must align with your NPI taxonomy. DME suppliers: check for active CMS moratoria before proceeding (see below).
Complete All Required Sections
Enter demographics, Arkansas license information, specialty designations, ownership disclosures, managing employee details, and billing configuration. The portal validates sequentially.
Upload Required Documents
Upload Arkansas state license, NPI confirmation, W-9, IRS CP-575, professional liability insurance, DEA (if prescribing), voided check for EFT, and ownership disclosure forms.
Sign Provider Agreement and Submit
Sign the Arkansas Medicaid provider agreement and submit. Save your confirmation number. Clean applications process in 30–45 days.
Credential with PASSE Entities (If Applicable)
If you serve behavioral health or I/DD populations: After MMIS approval, submit separate credentialing applications to each relevant PASSE entity. This is a completely independent process with its own timeline of 60–90 days.
The PASSE Model: What Makes Arkansas Unique
Provider-Led Arkansas Shared Savings Entities (PASSEs) are not traditional MCOs — they are provider-led organizations that coordinate and manage care for high-acuity populations under a shared savings framework.
PASSEs serve Medicaid beneficiaries with:
- Complex behavioral health conditions
- Intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD)
- Co-occurring conditions requiring intensive care coordination
The critical difference: standard Arkansas Medicaid FFS enrollment does not authorize billing for PASSE-enrolled patients. You must complete a separate credentialing agreement with each PASSE entity. The major PASSEs include:
- Summit Community Care
- Empower Healthcare Solutions
⚠ PASSE Trap: Providers who only complete MMIS enrollment and begin seeing behavioral health patients will discover their claims deny for PASSE-enrolled members. This secondary credentialing step adds 60–90 days and is mandatory for behavioral health and I/DD service providers.
CMS DME Enrollment Moratorium
CMS has imposed a six-month moratorium on newly enrolling Durable Medical Equipment (DME) supplier types in Arkansas to prevent fraud.
During an active moratorium:
- New DME enrollment applications are automatically rejected regardless of documentation quality
- Existing enrolled DME suppliers are not affected
- The moratorium applies to specific supplier types, not all DME broadly
- Moratorium periods are renewed in 6-month cycles and published in the Federal Register
✔ DME Strategy: Before initiating any DME enrollment in Arkansas, check the current CMS moratorium status at cms.gov/Medicare/Provider-Enrollment-and-Certification. If a moratorium is active, do not waste resources preparing an application that will be automatically rejected.
Required Documents Checklist
| Document | Requirements |
|---|---|
| NPI | Active 10-digit NPI matching NPPES |
| Arkansas State License | Current, unrestricted license |
| DEA Registration | For prescribing providers |
| W-9 | Legal entity name and TIN exact match |
| IRS CP-575 / EIN | Official EIN confirmation |
| Professional Liability Insurance | Current certificate |
| Voided Check / Bank Letter | For EFT setup |
| Ownership Disclosure | All owners with 5%+ interest |
| CLIA Certificate | If performing lab services |
| DME Accreditation | If DME supplier (and no active moratorium) |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between PASSE and regular Arkansas Medicaid?
Regular Arkansas Medicaid operates as Fee-for-Service for most beneficiaries. PASSEs manage care for high-acuity behavioral health and I/DD populations under a shared savings model. Providers must enroll in both systems separately to serve both populations.
Can I enroll as a DME supplier during a moratorium?
No. Applications submitted during an active CMS moratorium are automatically rejected. You must wait until the moratorium expires and then submit promptly. Check cms.gov for current moratorium status before applying.
How long does Arkansas Medicaid enrollment take?
MMIS enrollment takes 30–45 days for clean applications. Add 60–90 days for PASSE credentialing if you serve behavioral health or I/DD populations. Total timeline: 30–135 days depending on your patient population.
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