Starting January 1, 2020, Michigan law requires some people with Medicaid health care coverage through the Healthy Michigan Plan (HMP) to meet certain work requirements, including employment or other approved activities, to maintain their health care coverage.
Who is affected?
If you receive Medicaid health care coverage through the HMP, are between age 19 and 62, and have not been excused you will need to report work or other activities in order to keep your coverage. Individuals who need to meet work requirements will have received a letter from the State in the mail and should also see a notice in their MI Bridges accounts.
A full list of exemptions can be found at healthymichiganplan.org, but includes people who are:
- Pregnant or caring for a family member under 6 years old
- Full-time student
- Receiving food or cash assistance
- Disabled or medically frail
What kinds of activities count toward my work requirement?
Unless you have been excused, you will need to report 80 hours of work or other activities per month. The 80 hours can be a combination of any of the following activities:
- Work
- Job search
- Job or vocational training
- Education
- Internship
- Volunteering
- Participating in a tribal employment program
- Participating in a rehabilitation program
How can West Michigan Works! help?
West Michigan Works! is one of many organizations prepared to help affected individuals understand, meet and report work requirements. Staff at any of our service centers can assist by:
- Making referrals to services and workshops that will help you with reemployment.
- Showing you how to use common job search tools and track your submitted applications through Pure Michigan Talent Connect.
- Helping you report your hours through MI Bridges.
- Directing you to the Healthy Michigan website or other materials to best answer any questions you have.
- Connecting you to resources such as 211 or other community partners to remove employment barriers.
- Being supportive! We don’t want anyone to lose their health care coverage.
