GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — For those enrolled in Michigan's Medicaid expansion program, new work requirements go into effect this week.
Starting Wednesday, Jan. 1, abled-bodied adults ages 19 through 61 who are enrolled in "Healthy Michigan" will have to report 80 hours of work or job searching per month. If they don't, an individual could lose their health care coverage.
An individual can apply for an exemption, which according to Michigan.gov, excuses someone from having to tell the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services about work activity each month.
Exemption reasons are as follows:
- pregnant or were pregnant in the last 2 months
- medically frail due to one or more of the following:
- physical, mental, or emotional condition that limits a daily activity, like bathing
- physical, intellectual, or developmental disability that makes it hard to do a daily living activity
- physical, mental, or emotional condition that needs to be checked often
- disability based on Social Security criteria (SSDI)
- chronic substance use disorder (SUD)
- serious and complex medical condistion, or special medical needs
- in a nursing home, hospice, or get home help services
- homeless
- a survivor of domestic violence
- the main caretaker for a family member under 6 (one parent per household)
- a full-time student
- under age 21 and were in Michigan foster care
- in prison or jail in the last 6 months
- getting State of Michigan unemployment benefits
- getting temporary or permanent disability payments from a private insurer or the government
- a medical condition that limits work, approved by a doctor
- caring for a dependant with a disability and has a doctor's order for full-time care (one claim per household)
- caring for a person who cannot make decisions for themselves
- good cause. The beneficiary or a family member:
- has a serious illness, or
- is hospitalized, or
- has a disability that meets the government definition.
Someone may be exempt (excused) for up to one year and the exemption can be renewed. In some cases, MDHHS will already know someone is exempt (excused) and will apply the exemption automatically.
Requests have to be filed with the MDHHS by Jan. 31.
There is a lawsuit in court right now challenging the work requirement. Earlier this month, Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer requested a delay in the rules but Republican legislative leaders rejected said request.
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