What is Medicaid Expansion?
Approved by Idaho voters in 2018, Medicaid expansion provides health coverage to Idahoans who:
• Are between the ages of 19 and 64
• Are not disabled
• Are not pregnant
• Meet income limits (up to 138% of the federal poverty level)
• Are a US citizen or legally residing non-citizen
• Are not eligible for Medicare or other Medicaid programs
Changes to Medicaid Expansion in 2027
Starting January 1, 2027, if you receive Medicaid coverage through expansion, you will be required to show you have been working, volunteering, or in school for 80 hours a month—or that you qualify for an exemption—to keep your coverage. People earning at least $580 per month meet the work requirement. The state will also confirm that you are still eligible for Medicaid every 6 months.
When do you have to meet work requirements?
Beginning January 1, 2027:
People Applying for Medicaid
To qualify for Medicaid expansion, applicants must show they earned $580 or have 80 hours of qualifying activities in each month for the three months before applying.
If you can show that you have been working, going to school, participating in a work program, volunteering, or earning at least $580 in the three consecutive months before applying for Medicaid, you will meet the new requirements.
If you qualify for an exemption in three consecutive months before applying for Medicaid, you will meet the new requirements.
Existing Medicaid Customers
If you have Medicaid through Medicaid expansion, Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (DHW) will check to see if you've met work requirements to maintain eligibility. Not everyone renews their Medicaid coverage at the same time.
DHW will first start checking work requirements for customers whose coverage periods end on or after January 1, 2027. If you are already on Medicaid, the work requirement review period is six months. This means you must complete work requirement activities, qualify for an exemption, or have a temporary hardship during at least one calendar month since your last re-evaluation.
Exclusions, Exemptions, and Temporary Hardships
This change will not apply to many customers, including people who meet one of the following:
• You are pregnant, now or within the last 12 months
• You are a parent or other relative who is the main caregiver of a child age 13 or younger
• You are a caregiver of a person with a disability
• You have a physical, mental, or developmental disability that makes it hard to do daily activities
• You have a serious or complex health condition that requires regular medical care
• You have a substance use disorder, or are in a drug or alcohol treatment program
• You have a disabling mental health condition
• You are blind
• You are 18-25 and aged out of foster care
• You are an American Indian or Alaska Native
• You are a veteran with a 100% disability rating
• You are currently incarcerated, or were released from incarceration within the last 90 days
• You get SNAP (food benefits) or TANF (cash assistance), and are already required to meet work requirements for those programs
Temporary Hardships
Some people do not have to report work activities for a short time if they face a hardship or emergency. This includes a hospital stay, travel for medical care, or a natural disaster.
What to do now
DHW will use information we already have to check if you meet work requirements. If we does not have enough information, we will contact you to request more. Please ensure your mail, email, and phone number are up to date with us so that we can contact you when needed.
Report changes
If you are a current Medicaid customer, you must report changes that impact your eligibility, including changes in income, home address, work status, and household size (like marriage, divorce, pregnancy, or adoption).
Contact DHW to report a change or provide requested information:
Online: idalink.idaho.gov
Phone: 877-456-1233
Email: MyBenefits@dhw.idaho.gov
Mail: P.O. Box 83720, Boise, ID 83720-0026
In person: Find an office location