On August 27, HFM hosted an advocacy webinar featuring Leo Cuello of Georgetown University’s Center for Children and Families. He helped break down upcoming Medicaid changes and what they could mean for Michigan families. Below is a summary of these changes:
One of the biggest changes is a new work reporting requirement beginning in 2027 for many adults covered through the Medicaid expansion, also known as the Healthy Michigan Plan (HMP). Under the new rules, individuals will generally need to demonstrate that they are working, completing community service, attending school, or meeting certain income requirements (see below list for specifics). Enrollees must meet work requirements during the month before application or renewal.
There are important exceptions. Some people—including individuals with disabilities, functional limitations, or serious or complex medical conditions—may be excluded from the requirement (see below for list). Michigan is creating a more comprehensive list of what is considered “medically frail”, and HFM has submitted requests with the Medicaid Director to include bleeding disorders on this list. Renewals starting in 2027 will include questions about approved activities or exemptions on the application, so enrollees will not have to complete additional forms.
Michigan is currently preparing for implementation and has indicated that it plans to use all available options to help minimize disruptions in coverage, including hiring more caseworkers to assist. Even so, the changes are expected to have a significant impact, with an estimated 100,000 to 222,000 current HMP enrollees potentially losing coverage.
Michigan Medicaid will also stop allowing self-declaration of an exemption after 2027. Therefore, there will be an increased need for documentation on the enrollee’s behalf. This will be an increased burden for enrollees and the Medicaid system. It will be important for patients to have conversations with their providers about what kind of documentation they will need going forward. Additionally, providers will need to prepare for increased requests of documentation.
HMP enrollees will also face renewals every six months, along with retroactive coverage being lessened to two months instead of three months. It is important that enrollees have the correct contact information in their MI Bridges accounts to ensure that they receive their applications and renewal information.
HFM will continue following these changes and sharing resources as more information becomes available.
Work Requirement Compliance
To be found compliant, individuals must do one of the following:
- At least 80 hours/month of work;
- At least 80 hours/month of participation in an internship or work program;
- At least 80 hours/month of community service;
- Be enrolled at least half time as a student (high school, GED, college, or vocational program);
- Have at least $580 in monthly household income;
- Have at least $580/month on average as season worker
*You can combine activities to reach 80 hours in a month
Specified excluded individuals
- Already subject to work requirements through SNAP or TANF
- Former foster care youth
- Native American groups
- Pregnant or gave birth within the past 12 months
- Parents/caretakers of kids under 14 years old
- Caregiver of a person with a disability (someone who needs help with activities of daily living)
- Veteran with a total disability
- In drug/alcohol treatment program
- Inmate at public institution now or in the past 3 months
- “Medically frail” or special medical needs
- Blind or disabled
- Substance use disorder
- Disabling mental disorder
- Activity of daily living limitation
- Serious or complex medical condition
