Medicaid Work Requirement Calculator
Check if you must meet the new 80-hour work requirement, whether you qualify for an exemption, and what to do next.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Medicaid work requirement?+
Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), adults aged 19-64 who joined Medicaid through the ACA expansion must complete 80 hours of qualifying activities per month, such as employment, job training, education, or community service. This takes effect January 1, 2027 for most states, though some states (like Nebraska) are implementing it early. Non-compliance can result in losing Medicaid coverage.
Who is exempt from the Medicaid work requirement?+
Mandatory exemptions include: people who are pregnant, parents/caretakers of children 13 or younger, caretakers of people with disabilities, people who are blind, disabled, or medically frail (including those with substance use disorders, serious mental illness, or complex conditions), disabled veterans, American Indians/Alaska Natives, former foster youth under 26, people in substance abuse treatment programs, people already meeting TANF or SNAP work requirements, people currently incarcerated or released within 90 days, and certain Medicare beneficiaries. Additionally, earning at least $580 per month from employment satisfies the requirement through the income-based alternative.
What activities count toward the 80 hours?+
Qualifying activities include: paid employment (part-time or full-time), job training or workforce development programs, enrollment in higher education or vocational/technical education (at least half-time), community service or volunteer activities, and participation in work programs. There is also an income-based alternative: earning at least $580 per month satisfies the requirement regardless of hours. Caring for a child under 13 or a disabled family member makes you exempt. 80 hours per month is roughly equivalent to 20 hours per week.
What happens if I don't meet the 80 hours?+
If your state cannot verify your compliance, you'll receive a notice and have a 30-day cure period to prove compliance or request an exemption. If you don't respond within 30 days, you'll be disenrolled from Medicaid. To restore coverage, you must reapply from scratch. Importantly, people who lose Medicaid due to work requirement non-compliance are also ineligible for ACA marketplace premium tax credits, meaning you also can't get subsidized health insurance through Healthcare.gov.
When does this take effect?+
The federal mandate takes effect January 1, 2027. However, states can implement the requirement early. Nebraska began enforcement on May 1, 2026. States are required to begin notifying beneficiaries between June 30 and August 31, 2026. HHS must release the full interim final rule by June 1, 2026.
Does this apply in every state?+
It applies to all states that have expanded Medicaid (40 states plus Washington, D.C.). The 10 states that have not expanded Medicaid (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin, Wyoming) are not directly affected because they have no Medicaid expansion population. States cannot waive this requirement after January 1, 2027.
Will I permanently lose health insurance?+
You will lose Medicaid and must reapply. There is no automatic reinstatement. Additionally, the law bars people disenrolled for non-compliance from receiving ACA marketplace premium tax credits, meaning you may not be able to get affordable health insurance through any subsidized program until you regain Medicaid eligibility. This makes compliance or requesting an exemption extremely important.
How do I report my hours?+
States must first try to verify your compliance through automatic data matching (wage records, TANF/SNAP records, education enrollment). If your hours can't be verified automatically, you may need to self-report. Your state Medicaid office will provide specific reporting instructions. States verify compliance at least every 6 months.
Does part-time work count?+
Yes. Any paid employment counts toward the 80 monthly hours, including part-time work. If you work 20 hours a week, you meet the requirement. There is no minimum wage or income threshold - only the hours matter.
What if I'm between jobs?+
If you're temporarily unemployed, you can meet the requirement through job training, education (at least half-time), community service, or volunteer activities. You can combine different qualifying activities to reach 80 hours. If you've recently been released from incarceration (within 90 days), you're temporarily exempt.