Healthy Michigan Plan & H.R. 1

H.R. 1 is a federal law that makes changes to Medicaid. Some of these changes affect people who get health coverage through the Healthy Michigan Plan. 

New rules will begin in 2027. These include new work requirements and more frequent Medicaid renewals. 

The Healthy Michigan Plan is Michigan’s Medicaid program for some adults ages 19 through 64. It provides health care coverage to people who meet certain income and other rules. 

They may. The new work requirements apply to some people ages 19 through 64 who have Medicaid through the Healthy Michigan Plan. 

Not everyone will have to meet the work requirements. Some people will be exempt, or excused, from the rules. 

The new rules start Enero 1, 2027. 

If you already have Healthy Michigan Plan coverage, the new rules will apply when your renewal is due on or after marzo 1, 2027. 

If the rules apply to you, you must meet one of the following requirements during at least one month before your Medicaid renewal: 

• Work or earn at least $580 in one month. 

• Complete at least 80 hours of approved activities in one month. 

Approved activities may include: 

• Working at a paid or unpaid job 

• An internship or work program 

• Volunteering or community service 

• High school or GED classes 

• College or job training 

You may combine different activities to reach 80 hours. 

If the work requirement applies to you, you generally need to complete 80 hours of approved activities in at least one month during the six months before your renewal. 

You do not have to prove your work or activities every month. 

No. 

The state will check your Medicaid eligibility every six months. If the work requirement applies to you, you must show that you met the requirement in at least one month during that six-month period. 

The state will also check to see if you qualify for an exemption. 

MDHHS will send you information if you need to take action. 

You can also check your information in MI Bridges or contact MDHHS. 

Keep your address, phone number and other contact information up to date so you do not miss an important notice. 

If you meet the rules and complete your renewal, you can keep your Healthy Michigan Plan coverage. 

If the work requirement applies to you and you do not meet the requirement, do not qualify for an exemption, or do not respond to requests from MDHHS, you could lose your Healthy Michigan Plan coverage. 

You will receive a notice before your coverage changes. 

An exemption means you are excused from the work requirement because of your situation. 

There are many reasons someone may be exempt. 

You may be exempt if you: 

• Have a physical, intellectual or developmental disability that makes daily activities difficult 

• Have a mental health disorder 

• Have a serious health condition that requires regular treatment 

• Have complex health needs 

• Are pregnant or recently gave birth 

• Care for a child age 13 or younger 

• Care for a person with a disability 

• Are in treatment for a substance use disorder 

• Are a disabled veteran 

• Are an American Indian or Alaska Native 

• Were in foster care at age 18 and are under age 26 

• Are in jail or prison or were released within the past three months 

• Are experiencing a temporary hardship that makes it hard to work or complete approved activities 

This is not the complete list. If you are not sure whether you qualify for an exemption, contact MDHHS.  

MDHHS Beneficiary Help Line:
1-800-642-3195 

You may be. 

People with certain physical, intellectual or developmental disabilities may be exempt if their disability makes daily activities difficult. 

People with mental health disorders or serious health conditions that require regular treatment may also qualify for an exemption. 

If you are not sure, you should still apply for or renew Medicaid. MDHHS will determine whether an exemption applies to you. 

You may be. 

People living with a mental health disorder or substance use disorder may qualify for an exemption. People who are in a substance use disorder treatment program may also qualify. 

If you think this applies to you, make sure MDHHS has current information about your situation. 

You may be exempt. 

You may be exempt if you care for a child age 13 or younger or care for a person with a disability who needs help with daily activities. 

Not necessarily. 

School can count as an approved activity. High school, GED programs, college and vocational programs may count toward the 80-hour requirement. 

Yes. 

Volunteering or community service may count as an approved activity. 

You may also combine volunteering with other approved activities to reach 80 hours in one month. 

You may qualify for an exemption if you have a serious health condition, a mental health disorder, or another health condition that makes it hard to meet the work requirement. 

You may also qualify for a temporary exemption if you are experiencing a short-term hardship. 

You may qualify for a temporary exemption. 

Examples include being in a hospital, nursing facility, psychiatric hospital or other care facility. 

No. 

If you already have Healthy Michigan Plan coverage, you generally will not have to report work every month. 

MDHHS will check your information when your Medicaid coverage is renewed. You may be asked for more information if the state cannot verify that you met the requirement or qualify for an exemption. 

You may not have to provide additional information. 

MDHHS will first check information it already has. If more information is needed, MDHHS will contact you. 

Apply or renew your coverage anyway. 

MDHHS will try to check your information using records it already has. If more information is needed, MDHHS will contact you. 

If the requirement applies to you and you do not meet it, do not qualify for an exemption, or do not respond to a request from MDHHS, you may lose your Healthy Michigan Plan coverage. 

You will receive a notice explaining what is happening. 

You may be able to get coverage again if you later meet the requirements or qualify for an exemption. 

You may need to apply again. 

You could lose your Medicaid coverage. 

It is very important to read letters from MDHHS and respond by the deadline. 

Keep your address, phone number and email address up to date in MI Bridges. 

For most people on the Healthy Michigan Plan, yes. 

Starting Enero 1, 2027, Healthy Michigan Plan members will have their eligibility checked every six months instead of once a year. 

This means you may receive more requests from MDHHS to confirm your information. 

Tell MDHHS about changes as soon as possible. 

This includes changes to: 

• Your address 

• Your phone number 

• Your income 

• Your job 

• Your household 

• Your pregnancy status 

• Your work or school activities 

You can report changes through MI Bridges or by contacting your local MDHHS office.  

MDHHS Beneficiary Help Line:
1-800-642-3195 

Possibly. 

H.R. 1 also changes Medicaid rules for some people who are not U.S. citizens. These changes are separate from the work requirements. 

Starting octubre 1, 2026, some non-citizens may no longer qualify for full Medicaid coverage because of their immigration status. 

Some people will continue to qualify for full coverage. Others may move to Emergency Services Only coverage. 

If this change affects you, MDHHS will send you a notice before your coverage changes. 

Emergency Services Only, or ESO, covers treatment for emergency medical conditions. 

It does not cover many regular health care services, such as routine doctor visits, preventive care, ongoing treatment for chronic conditions or most prescription medicines. 

If you receive a notice about a change to ESO coverage, read the notice carefully to learn how it affects you. 

You do not need to wait until 2027 to prepare. 

You can: 

• Keep your information up to date in MI Bridges. 

• Watch your mail for notices from MDHHS. 

• Read all Medicaid notices carefully. 

• Respond to requests from MDHHS by the deadline. 

• Keep track of your work, school, volunteer or training activities. 

• Ask MDHHS if you think you qualify for an exemption. 

If you have questions about your Medicaid coverage or the new rules, contact MDHHS. 

MDHHS Beneficiary Help Line:
1-800-642-3195 

You can also use your MI Bridges account to check your Medicaid information and report changes. 

If you receive services from OCHN or an OCHN provider, you can also ask your care team about resources that may help you understand these changes.