KFF Survey Offers Early Look at State Medicaid Changes

• By: USAging
• On: 05/08/2026 09:14:13
• In: Policy & Advocacy

A new Kaiser Family Foundation survey of state Medicaid officials previews states' varied approaches to implementing the One Big Beautiful Bill Act Medicaid work requirements. The survey found significant variation in implementation policies nationwide, with four states enforcing stricter compliance verification requirements, such as longer application or look-back periods and more frequent compliance checks.  

A handful of states plan to implement work requirements in 2026, ahead of the January 1, 2027, deadline. Additionally, 18 states will use automated verification of work requirements and nonmedical exemptions, and 29 states will adopt at least one of the four types of hardship exceptions.  

The report also explores states' resource constraints, the need for federal guidance to define exemptions and approve verification methods, states' use of artificial intelligence in implementation and more.