July 31, 2025
Often the Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS) publishes relevant information, ideas, and recommendations for states to consider as they implement new requirements, or when they want to try to innovate. Below is a new brief from CHCS that outlines approaches states can use to partner with Medicaid members and CBOs to implement work requirements that can mitigate some of the many potentially harmful impacts associated with this newly enacted provision scheduled to ‘go live’ by January 1, 2027 (states can elect to implement sooner if they wish).
I thought this was instructive information that provides us with a window into some of the choices facing NYS in the days to come, and ways we can influence decision-making related to work Requirements in terms of eventually forthcoming regulations and guidance states will need to float to impacted populations and healthcare providers.
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With the passage of the 2025 budget reconciliation bill (H.R. 1), state Medicaid agencies must implement new work requirements for certain Medicaid members ages 19 to 64. With an implementation deadline of December 31, 2026, these federal mandates challenge states to develop policies that are understandable and easy to navigate for members. Engaging Medicaid members and community-based organizations (CBOs) early in the process can help states identify and address potential barriers, reduce administrative complexity, and support effective communication and implementation. This new brief from the Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS) outlines approaches states can use to partner directly with Medicaid members and CBOs in implementing work requirements that reflect community input and help minimize coverage disruptions. It highlights how states can leverage newly required Beneficiary Advisory Councils as a valuable tool for testing and refining implementation strategies to ensure alignment with member needs and experiences. See also a new CHCS Policy Cheat Sheet, A Summary of National Medicaid Work Requirements, that synthesizes key details of the new federal Medicaid work requirements, including timeline, populations impacted, exemption categories, and more. These resources are part of CHCS’ Medicaid Work Requirements Implementation Series, which offers actionable approaches to support implementation that minimizes administrative burden and is informed by the experiences of Medicaid members. Upcoming briefs will focus on cross-agency collaboration, supported employment, and other models to inform implementation of the new federal policy. |