Arkansas DHS says PASSE is a Medicaid initiative coordinating physical, behavioral health and developmental disability services for beneficiaries with complex needs.
Arkansas DHS describes PASSE
The Arkansas Department of Human Services describes the Provider-Led Arkansas Shared Savings Entity, or PASSE, as a Medicaid initiative. According to Arkansas DHS, the program coordinates physical health, behavioral health and developmental disability services for Medicaid beneficiaries with complex behavioral health needs.
Arkansas DHS presents PASSE as a program for people whose needs may involve more than one type of service. The department’s description places physical health, behavioral health and developmental disability services within the same coordinated initiative for eligible Medicaid beneficiaries.
Focus on coordinated services
According to Arkansas DHS, PASSE is intended to coordinate care for Medicaid beneficiaries with complex behavioral health needs. The source identifies physical health, behavioral health and developmental disability services as the service areas included in that coordination.
Arkansas DHS states that the program aims to improve outcomes. The department also says PASSE aims to help people remain in community settings rather than institutions.
The source extract does not list specific behavioral health treatments available through PASSE. It also does not provide details on enrollment, coverage decisions, participating providers, referral requirements or patient costs.
Community-based care goal
Arkansas DHS identifies community settings as a central part of PASSE’s stated goal. The department says the initiative seeks to keep people in community settings instead of institutions while coordinating the services named in its program description.
The DHS description focuses on Medicaid beneficiaries with complex behavioral health needs. It does not state that every Medicaid beneficiary participates in PASSE or that every service is available to every participant.
Arkansas DHS’s overview also does not describe how a person’s physical health, behavioral health and developmental disability services are coordinated in an individual case. The department’s extract describes the program’s overall purpose rather than individual treatment plans.
What this means for Arkansas patients
For people trying to find treatment locally, Arkansas DHS’s description indicates that PASSE is a Medicaid coordination initiative for beneficiaries with complex behavioral health needs. This directory lists 32 published clinics in Arkansas, which may help people identify local treatment options to discuss with their care team or coverage program.
This is general information, not medical advice.
More Arkansas reporting on access & coverage.
This report is educational and is not medical advice. Coverage, availability and eligibility can change; verify details with the named source or your care team.

