More than 93,000 applicants for Arkansas private option

LITTLE ROCK — The Arkansas Department of Human Services says more than 93,000 people have filed applications for health insurance under Arkansas' private option plan to expand Medicaid.

The state said Thursday that of those 93,000 applications, more than 74,000 have been deemed eligible for the private option. This year, the Arkansas Legislature voted to use Medicaid money for private health insurance coverage for about 250,000 people.

The agency says about 5,900 people have been assigned to the traditional Medicaid plan because of health needs.

The coverage starts Jan. 1.

The program is separate from the federal health insurance program that operates through the HealthCare.gov website.

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