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Cuyahoga County Medicaid Access Team
Starting January 1, 2027, federal law 119 – 21 will affect some adults who receive Medicaid under the Group VIII or the expansion category of the program. This law change will require individuals to show they are working or taking part in approved community activities to keep Group VIII Medicaid coverage. This new rule is called the Medicaid Community Engagement Activity (MCEA) work requirement.
What Customers Should Know
- Certain adults, 19 - 64-year-olds, must now meet a new monthly work requirement to qualify for Medicaid and keep their coverage.
- Adults impacted by this new requirement must complete at least 80 hours each month of work or other approved activities.
- The hours can come from any combination of work, education, certain job training, and community service, if the monthly total adds up to 80 hours or more.
- The new requirement doesn't apply to all adults and some exemptions may apply.
Some individuals will be exempt from the qualifying activities, including:
- Individuals under 19 or over 65
- Pregnant or postpartum individuals
- People who are eligible for Medicare
- Caregivers of young children (13 or under) or disabled dependents
- Individuals meeting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or Temporary Assistance to Needy Families work requirements
- Those with disabilities or serious medical conditions
- People participating in a Substance Use Disorder (SUD) treatment program
- Former inmates of a public institution during the last three months
- Native Americans and certain other groups
Act! What Customers Should Do – 7 Easy Steps
Stay informed and keep your case up-to-date to prevent disruption of benefits. Not completing case management requirements may delay issuance of benefits.
- Make timely updates to contact information.
- Use the Ohio Benefits Self-Service Portal to apply online and manage your case. Be aware of benefit changes and available support.
- Submit verifications requested on time.
- Use the document upload on the Ohio Benefits Self-Service Portal.
- Use the document upload feature on the Eligibility Contact Center.
- Don’t miss your interview appointments and submit complete applications.
- Sign up for text alerts.
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