Changes to Medicaid Coverage in 2027

What's New?

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Starting January 1, 2027, some adults ages 19-64 who have Medicaid, will need to show they are working, going to school, participating in job training, OR helping out in the community to keep their health coverage.

This is a new federal rule called Work Requirements for Medicaid Coverage.

Ways to Meet the Requirement

A) Earn household income of at least $580 per month

80 hours of approved activities per month or $580 in household monthly earned income or a combination of income and activities

B) Complete at least 80 hours per month of approved activities or a combination of them:

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Work a job

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Go to school at least half-time

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Join a job training or work program

Volunteer or help out in your community

C) Earn some income and complete some hours of approved activities (B above) each month

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For example, if you earn $380 per month, that equals 52 hours when using the federal minimum wage of $7.25 ($380/$7.25 = 52).
To meet the 80 hours of approved activities, you would need to do 28 more hours of any of the activities in B above.

Find local volunteer, training, educational, and job opportunities to help fulfill the new requirments:

Tompkinsopportunity.org

Will the Work Requirements for Medicaid Coverage Rule Affect Me?

Some people will not have to complete the work requirements, including people who are:

  • 18 years old or younger
  • 65 years old or older
  • Pregnant, or were pregnant in the last 12 months
  • Enrolled in Medicaid with a disability
  • Diagnosed with a physical or mental health condition that makes it hard to work
  • Entitled to, or enrolled in Medicare Part A or enrolled in Part B
  • American Indian or Alaska Native
  • A parent, guardian, caretaker relative, or family caregiver to a disabled individual
  • A parent, guardian, caretaker relative, or family caregiver to a child under 14
  • In a SNAP household, and subject to SNAP work requirements
  • Enrolled in TANF and meeting TANF work requirements
  • In a program to help with drug or alcohol use
  • Currently in jail or prison, or released in the last 3 months
  • Currently in foster care
  • Under 26 and aged out of foster care
  • A veteran with a total disability 
Check to see if you may be exempt

Questions?

For questions, please reach out to New York State of Health (NYSOH) by calling 1-855-329-8850
OR
Visit the NYSOH Frequently Asked Questions page

Stay Up-to-Date

Visit the NYSOH website for the latest information.

Need Help Enrolling or Renewing Your Medicaid?

IMPORTANT TO NOTE:
Starting January 1, 2027, you may need to meet certain conditions or show proof that you fit one of these exceptions when you renew your Medicaid coverage.

If you need to enroll or renew your Medicaid, our trained health insurance navigators can help.  Assistance is free, confidential, and unbiased. Appointments are for enrolling or renewing your insurance only, for questions about the new work requirements, please call 1-855-329-8850.

Book an appointment

IMPORTANT THINGS TO NOTE FOR FUTURE RENEWALS:

  • Starting on January 1, 2027, some adults ages 19–64 will need to renew their Medicaid every 6 months instead of once a year.
  • If you apply for Medicaid before January 1, 2027, or renew before March 1, 2027, you will get 12 months of coverage if you are eligible. After that, you will renew every 6 months.   
  • If you apply for Medicaid after January 1, 2027, or renew after March 1, 2027, you will renew every 6 months if you still qualify.