LANSING (WWJ) – Beginning this month, some Medicaid recipients in Michigan will be forced to find a job or risk losing their health insurance.
The Medicaid work requirement law, passed by the Republican-controlled State Senate and signed by then-governor Rick Snyder in 2018, requires some Healthy Michigan Plan beneficiaries to work if they want to keep their coverage.
The new law — in effect as of January 1, 2020 — is expected to impact more than 500,000 adults in Michigan.
Here’s what people need to know:
Anyone who is 19-62 years old and enrolled in the Healthy Michigan Plan will be required to report work or activities unless they are exempt for reasons such as pregnancy, disability, medical frailty, being a full-time student, caring for child under age 6 or an disabled dependent, or other reasons (see a full list here under “Exemption Reasons”).
Anyone who doesn’t qualify for an exemption will need to prove they’re doing one of the following for at least 80 hours per month:
- Having a job or income
- Being a student
- Looking for a job
- Volunteering (this activity can only be used for three months each calendar year)
- Doing job training
- Participating in a tribal employment program
- Participating in rehab (substance abuse)
- Doing vocational training
- Doing an internship
In January 2018, the Trump administration gave states the green light to hold Medicaid recipients to a work requirement. The new law, which was opposed by Michigan Democrats, came under scrutiny for targeting the poor and struggling families with layers of bureaucracy.
To claim an exemption, Medicaid recipients must fill out and mail in an MDHHS the Exemption form MSA-1905 by January 31, 2020. For more details about the new work requirements, or about applying for an exemption, VISIT THIS LINK.