Staying Covered Starts Here
Changes to Medicaid can feel overwhelming, especially when your health care depends on it. The good news is that most of what you need to do comes down to knowing your status and keeping your information current.
What’s Changing, and When?
In July 2025, Congress passed H.R. 1, known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The law changes how Medicaid is funded and who qualifies. For many Michiganders, the biggest change is a new work requirement for adults ages 19 to 64 on the Healthy Michigan Plan (HMP), the state’s Medicaid expansion program.
Two dates matter most:
- January 1, 2027: New Medicaid applications will ask about work, approved activities, and exemptions.
- March 1, 2027: If you’re already enrolled, MDHHS will start checking work requirements at renewals on or after this date.
Most HMP members will also move from yearly renewals to renewals every six months. Traditional Medicaid is not affected by the work requirement.
Not sure which plan you have? Check your MI Bridges account or myHealthPortal, contact your health plan, or call the state beneficiary helpline at 1-800-642-3195.
Are You Exempt?
Many people on HMP won’t need to meet the work requirement at all. According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), you are exempt if any of the following apply to you.
Mental health or substance use care
Mental health disorders, substance use disorders, and active treatment programs are all on the state’s exemption list. If you’re unsure whether your situation counts, talk with your MCMHA care team or call us at 734-243-7340 and watch for any notice asking you to confirm your status.
Health and disability
- You live with a mental health disorder
- You live with a substance use disorder, or you’re in a treatment program for one
- You have a physical, intellectual, or developmental disability that makes daily activities hard
- You have a serious health condition that requires regular treatment, or complex health needs (sometimes called “medically frail”)
- You are a disabled veteran
Family and caregiving
- You’re pregnant, or you gave birth within the past 12 months
- You’re a parent or caregiver of a child age 13 or younger
- You care for someone with a disability who needs help with daily activities
Other circumstances
- You’re already subject to SNAP work requirements, or already meeting TANF work requirements
- You are American Indian or Alaska Native
- You were in foster care at age 18 and are now younger than 26
- You’re in jail or prison, or were released within the past three months
Temporary hardship
For a limited time, you may not need to meet the requirement if you:
- Are receiving care in a hospital, nursing facility, psychiatric hospital, or similar setting
- Must travel outside your community for medical care for yourself or a dependent
- Live in a federally declared disaster area
- Live in an area with high unemployment
MDHHS will check its own records for exemptions first. If you believe you’re exempt, you don’t need to take action before your next renewal unless your situation changes. If MDHHS needs more information, it will send you a notice, so watch your mail and MI Bridges messages.
Not Exempt? Here’s How to Meet the Requirement
You can meet the requirement in one of two ways, in at least one month of each review period.
- Earn at least $580 in a month. This counts all earned income, including jobs and self-employment. This is not an income limit for Medicaid. You can review general Medicaid eligibility rules on the state’s site.
- Complete 80 hours of approved activities in a month. These include:
- Paid or unpaid work
- An internship or work program
- Volunteering or community service
- High school or GED classes
- College or a vocational program
You can mix activities to reach 80 hours. For example, 50 hours at a part-time job plus 30 hours volunteering counts.
What’s the review period? If you’re applying, it’s the month before you apply or the month you apply. Seasonal workers can use income from the previous six months instead. If you’re renewing, it’s any one month since your last renewal.
What To Do Now
- Update MI Bridges. Use “Report My Changes” for your address, phone number, work, activities, or household size. You can also call your local MDHHS office.
- Choose how MDHHS reaches you. MDHHS will contact you through the communication preference set in MI Bridges, or by mail if you haven’t picked one.
- Open and answer every MDHHS notice. Respond by the deadline listed. Missing a deadline can end your coverage, even if you still qualify.
- Know which messages are real. The federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services sends official messages only from no-reply@info.medicaid.gov or the text number 633767, with the sender name MEDSMS.
- Know your rights. If your coverage ends, you can get it back by meeting the requirement or qualifying for an exemption later. You can also appeal any decision you disagree with; the notice will explain how.
As Michigan Medicaid Director Meghan Groen noted in a July 2026 MDHHS announcement, many people who need to meet the new requirement may already be doing so through work, school, or other activities.
Why MCMHA Is Paying Close Attention
Many people we serve have ongoing needs that don’t fit neatly onto a checklist. Our concern is that eligible people could lose coverage because of paperwork, a missed letter, or a tight deadline rather than because they no longer qualify. When coverage lapses, care is interrupted, and getting back on track is harder. We’re following how Michigan puts these rules into practice and will share updates as we learn more. If you’d like to share your perspective with lawmakers, you can contact your legislators.
We’re Here For You
Whatever happens with your coverage, you can still reach out to us. At MCMHA, we believe no one’s ability to pay should affect their ability to receive care, and we won’t deny services based on insurance type. Call 734-243-7340 with questions, or visit Where Do I Start? to take the first step.
Getting help is a strength.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do Medicaid work requirements start in Michigan?
New Healthy Michigan Plan applications include work requirement questions starting January 1, 2027. If you’re already enrolled, the requirement applies at your first renewal on or after March 1, 2027.
Who has to meet the new work requirements?
Only Healthy Michigan Plan members ages 19 to 64 who don’t qualify for an exemption. Traditional Medicaid is not affected.
I receive services from MCMHA. Am I exempt?
You may be. People living with a mental health disorder, a substance use disorder, an intellectual or developmental disability, or a serious health condition that requires regular treatment are on the state’s exemption list. MDHHS will try to confirm exemptions using information it already has and will send a notice if it needs more from you.
What activities count toward the 80 hours?
Paid or unpaid work, internships or work programs, volunteering or community service, high school or GED classes, and college or vocational programs. You can combine them. Earning at least $580 in a month also meets the requirement.
Do I have to report my hours every month?
No. You only need to show you met the requirement, or qualify for an exemption, in at least one month between renewals.
What happens if I miss a deadline or lose coverage?
Missing a deadline can put your coverage at risk. If your coverage ends, you can regain it by meeting the requirement or qualifying for an exemption later, and you have the right to appeal.
How do I know if a text or email about work requirements is real?
Official federal messages come only from no-reply@info.medicaid.gov or the text number 633767, with the sender name MEDSMS.
Can MCMHA still help me if I lose Medicaid?
Yes, please reach out. MCMHA won’t deny services based on insurance type. Call 734-243-7340 to talk with our team.