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Medicaid Work Requirements

Learn about new work requirements starting January 1, 2027.

Federal law now requires some adults to work, go to school, or volunteer to keep their Medicaid coverage. 

What is changing?

Federal law now requires some adults to work, go to school, or volunteer 80 hours per month to keep their Medicaid.

Who does this affect?

Adults ages 19-64, with some exceptions. 

When do you need to act?

Confirm your renewal date and update your contact information with Medicaid now. You may be asked for more information with your next Medicaid renewal packet in 2027.

New federal rules may impact your Nevada Medicaid coverage starting next year. Some people will need to show they work, volunteer, or go to school to keep their health coverage. Adults ages 19 to 64 may be affected by these requirements. Some adults will also need to renew their Medicaid every six months.

This notice explains:

  • Who does not have to meet the Medicaid work requirements
  • Who may qualify for a temporary exception
  • How to meet the work requirements if they apply to you

You MAY NOT have to prove that you work, go to school, or volunteer to keep your Medicaid coverage. If anything on the list below describes you, you are considered a “Specified Excluded Individual” and do not need to meet the new requirements:

  • You are a parent, guardian or family caregiver of a child under age 14
  • You are a parent, guardian or family caregiver of someone with a disability who needs help with daily activities (like bathing, dressing, or daily chores)
  • You are pregnant or gave birth in the past 12 months
  • You left foster care at age 18 and are now under age 26
  • You are a veteran with a total disability
  • You are American Indian or Alaska Native
  • You are currently incarcerated
  • You already meet work requirements for SNAP (food assistance) or TANF (NEON) (cash assistance)
  • You are receiving treatment for a drug or alcohol use disorder
  • You have a serious physical health condition, mental health condition, substance use disorder, or disability that prevents you from working, volunteering, or going to school

If any of the situations above apply to you, you do not need to meet the new requirements to keep your Medicaid coverage.

If none of the situations above apply to you, and you receive Medicaid as an adult age 19 through 64, you are considered an “Applicable Individual” and may need to meet work requirements.

Applicable Individuals may not have to meet work requirements if any of the following applied to you during the month before your Medicaid application, or during at least one month since your last Medicaid renewal.

  • You were under age 19
  • You were entitled to or enrolled in Medicare
  • You qualified for the incarceration exception because you were in jail or prison at any time during the three months before the month being reviewed.
  • You met specified excluded status in one month of your lookback period
  • You are experiencing a temporary hardship (see below)

Temporary hardships

You may qualify for a temporary exception to the work requirements. In some cases, you may need to tell us about your hardship so we can determine if you qualify.

  • You are staying in a hospital, nursing facility, or psychiatric hospital
  • You must travel outside your community to receive medical care for yourself or a dependent

Nevada will automatically apply the following temporary hardships based on where you live, if they apply to you. Please keep your address up to date and report any address changes as soon as possible.

  • You live in an area affected by a federally declared disaster or emergency.
  • You live in an area with high unemployment.

If you do not qualify for any of the situations listed above, you may need to meet the new requirements to keep your Medicaid during your next renewal in 2027.

You can meet the new requirements by completing one or more “Qualifying Activities”:

      •   Working at least 80 hours per month
      •   Volunteering at least 80 hours per month
      •   Participating in a work program for at least 80 hours per month
      •   Attending school at least half time
      •   Having total income of at least $580 per month

To keep your Medicaid, you must show that you met these requirements during at least one month of the review period before your renewal. For a full list of ways to meet these requirements, visit: www.nevadamedicaid.nv.gov/WorkRequirements/

No action is needed from you at this time. When it’s time to renew your Medicaid in 2027, Nevada Medicaid will review available information to determine whether you:

  • Do not have to meet the work requirements
  • Met the work requirements through work, school, volunteering, or income during your review period

If we cannot confirm this information using available records, we will send you a renewal form requesting additional information. You will have 30 days to respond.

If you do not respond, or the information you provided does not show that you qualify to keep coverage, your Medicaid may end.

If your Medicaid coverage ends, we will send you a notice explaining why. You have the right to appeal against our decision. You must continue to report changes in your circumstances and follow all other Medicaid reporting rules.

Important note: If you lose Medicaid coverage for non-compliance, you may not be eligible to receive reduced premium assistance on health care coverage through Nevada Health Link.

As a reminder, you do not need to do anything to show you are compliant or exempt at this time. Please prepare for these changes by taking these steps:

  • Make sure your mailing address, phone number, and email address are up to date.
  • Confirm the date of your next renewal in 2027, when these new rules apply.
  • Find work, school, and volunteer opportunities at www.nevadamedicaid.nv.gov/WorkRequirements/

We are here to help you stay covered.

If you want to find out more about if work requirements apply to you, visit www.nevadamedicaid.nv.gov/WorkRequirements/ or call Member Services at 1-800-962-8074, TTY 711.

For support with Nevada Medicaid Work Requirements, please contact the dedicated hotline at 702-631-3310 or 775-824-7410.

If you have specific questions about your Medicaid eligibility, you can reach out to the Division of Social Services team below: