Medicaid Work Requirements in New York
New York's requirement begins in January 2027. People who apply before January 1, 2027, or renew before March 1, 2027, get 12 months of coverage. Renewals on or after March 1, 2027 must show compliance or an exemption.
Check your situation in New York
When it starts in New York
- August 14 – September 30, 2026: notices sent to affected members.
- March 1, 2027: renewals on or after this date must show compliance in any one month since the last renewal.
Who has to meet it
The rule applies to people ages 19 to 64 in the Medicaid adult expansion group, unless they are pregnant, have Medicare, or are exempt. You meet it in a month with 80 hours of work, community service, a work program, or school (in any mix), by going to school at least half-time, or with at least $580 in monthly income.
You are exempt if, for example, you care for a child 13 or younger or a person with a disability, are pregnant or postpartum, are American Indian or Alaska Native, are medically frail, are a veteran with a total (100%) VA disability rating or TDIU, were in foster care at 18 and are under 26, are in drug or alcohol treatment, meet SNAP or TANF work rules, or left jail or prison in the last 3 months. See the full exemption list.
Court ruling, October 29, 2026. In Massachusetts v. Oz, a federal court struck down the CMS rule's extra "significantly impairs" test for the medically frail exemption. If you are in any of the five medically frail groups in the law, you qualify. New York was one of the parties that sued, so the court also gave New York six months of relief from federal enforcement of its medically frail decisions while it updates its systems. The January 1, 2027 start date did not change, and CMS may appeal. What the ruling means.
How New York checks and how to report
Months checked: Any one month since your last renewal.
Keep your contact details current in your NY State of Health account and watch for renewal notices. Some people will be exempted automatically; others will need documents. In 2027 you can self-attest to some exemptions; that becomes more limited in 2028.
Other things to know in New York
- The NYC Health Department says the state is partnering with Truv so members can choose to share payroll data to verify work without extra steps. It is optional.
Official tools and contacts
- Report and upload: NY State of Health
- New York Medicaid Helpline: 1-800-541-2831
- NYC Health Department enrollment help (NYC residents): 347-665-0214
- NY State of Health: Stay Covered
- H.R. 1 communications toolkit
- Agency: New York State Department of Health (NY State of Health)
Federal protections that apply in New York
- The state must check its own records before asking you for proof.
- If it can't confirm you meet the rule, you get a notice and at least 30 days to respond, and your coverage continues meanwhile.
- You get written notice and the right to a fair hearing before coverage ends, and you can reapply at any time.
- If you lose Medicaid for not meeting the rule, you cannot get marketplace premium tax credits for those months. Learn more.
Frequently asked questions
When do Medicaid work requirements start in New York?
January 2027 (renewals from March 1, 2027). Current members are usually checked at their first renewal on or after that date.
How many months does New York check?
Any one month since your last renewal.
How do I report my hours or an exemption in New York?
Keep your contact details current in your NY State of Health account and watch for renewal notices. Some people will be exempted automatically; others will need documents. In 2027 you can self-attest to some exemptions; that becomes more limited in 2028.
Who do I call about New York State Medicaid work requirements?
New York Medicaid Helpline: 1-800-541-2831
NYC Health Department enrollment help (NYC residents): 347-665-0214
Can I lose New York State Medicaid right away if I don't meet the requirement?
No. Federal law requires a notice, at least 30 days to show you comply or are exempt, continued coverage during that time, and fair hearing rights before coverage ends.
Sources
- NY State of Health: Stay Covered
- NYC Health Department letter (July 27, 2026)
- NYS DOH: Medicaid contact numbers
- Public Law 119-21 (H.R. 1), sec. 71119: community engagement requirement (GovInfo)
- CMS interim final rule, Medicaid community engagement requirement, 91 FR 33348 (June 3, 2026)
- Massachusetts v. Oz, No. 1:26-cv-12962-RGS (D. Mass.), memorandum and order (Oct. 29, 2026)