Medicare Advantage Plans in Arkansas: 2026 Coverage

Arkansas offers 69 different Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans for 2026. These all-in-one plans serve as an alternative to Original Medicare by bundling hospital insurance (Part A) and medical insurance (Part B) with additional coverages like prescription drug coverage into a single plan.

Popular Medicare Advantage Plan Carriers in Arkansas

Source: CMS Part C and D Performance Data  

CMS Star Ratings are evaluated annually by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Ratings and plan availability can vary significantly by Arkansas county.

Plan Availability by Top Arkansas Counties

Medicare Advantage plan availability changes depending on where you live. Private insurance companies design their plans around local hospital networks and county lines, meaning the specific plans, monthly costs, and extra perks available to you depend entirely on your zip code.

Where you live in Arkansas can significantly change your plan options:

• Urban and Metro Areas: In populated areas like Pulaski County (Little Rock), Washington County, or Faulkner County, a large number of insurance companies compete for your business. Because of this competition, city residents usually have more plans to choose from, including many $0 premium options and larger lists of local doctors.

• Rural Areas: In more rural locations like Arkansas County or Searcy County, fewer insurance companies offer plans. This means residents in these areas have fewer options to choose from, and local doctor lists may be smaller.

Because a plan available in Little Rock may not be open to someone living in rural Arkansas, running a local ZIP code comparison is the only way to see the exact coverage options available in your town.

Disclaimer: Medicare Advantage plan availability, premiums, and provider networks in Arkansas vary by county and ZIP code. County-level descriptions are based on general Medicare market trends, population distribution, and typical rural vs. urban plan availability patterns. Actual plan options and benefits are determined by each insurance carrier and may change annually. 

2026-2027 Arkansas Medicare Enrollment Periods

Medicare beneficiaries may enroll in, drop, or switch their Medicare Advantage plans during specific timelines throughout the year.

• Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) | Your Seven-Month Window: This timeline begins when you first become eligible for Medicare, spanning the seven months surrounding your 65th birthday (the three months before your birth month, your actual birthday month, and the three months immediately following it). This is your first opportunity to sign up for Original Medicare and select a Medicare Advantage plan.

• Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) | October 15 to December 7: This yearly window allows any Medicare beneficiary to switch plans, move from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage, or leave their Medicare Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare. Any plan selections you make during AEP go into effect on January 1 of the following year.

• Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (OEP) | January 1 to March 31: This window is open only to individuals already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan as of January 1. During this time, you are allowed to make a one-time change to switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan or drop your private plan to return to Original Medicare.

• Special Enrollment Period (SEP) | Occurs Upon Qualifying Life Events: An SEP allows you to change your coverage outside standard timelines without facing financial penalties. Common local triggers in Arkansas include permanently moving to a new address outside your current plan's county service area (such as relocating from Pulaski County to Washington County) or losing creditable health coverage (such as retiring and leaving an employer-sponsored group plan).

Compare Medicare Supplement Plans in Arkansas

While Medicare Advantage plans offer a private alternative to Original Medicare, they’re not the only way to manage your healthcare. Arkansas residents may choose to stay on traditional Original Medicare because it allows them to see any doctor or specialist nationwide who accepts Medicare, without network restrictions or referral rules. To avoid unpredictable out-of-pocket expenses—like the standard 20% coinsurance you owe for medical services—seniors often purchase a private Medicare Supplement Insurance plan (Medigap) policy to help pay those remaining costs.

Please note that you cannot be enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan and a Medigap plan at the same time. You must choose one or the other. 

Learn more about Medicare Supplement plans in Arkansas.

Why choose SelectQuote for your Arkansas Medicare plan needs?

Finding the right Medicare coverage doesn’t have to be confusing. For over 40 years, SelectQuote has been helping families understand their insurance options with ease. Think of us as your personal advocate—our licensed insurance agents use smart comparison technology to compare plans across a dozen trusted national insurance companies simultaneously. In just a few minutes, we can help you find a plan that fits your personal doctor preferences, everyday prescriptions, and monthly budget.

We focus on clear, honest service, and our track record shows it:

• A+ Better Business Bureau (BBB) Rating: SelectQuote proudly holds full accreditation and the highest possible A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, showing our long-standing commitment to fair business practices and consumer trust.

• An "Excellent" Rating on Trustpilot: With more than 17,000 verified customer reviews, our users frequently share that our licensed agents are patient, kind, and informative, making a confusing process feel straightforward and stress-free.

• Local Knowledge for Arkansans: We know that a health plan in Little Rock might not work for someone living in the Ozarks or the Delta. Our team is specifically trained to understand how Arkansas plan networks change from county to county, ensuring you get accurate recommendations for the hospitals and doctors right in your neighborhood.