SUMMIT COUNTY, OHIO— Beginning in August and continuing into early September, the Ohio Department of Medicaid is mailing an important notice to adults enrolled in Group VIII Medicaid, commonly known as Medicaid expansion or MAGI Adult coverage.
The letter provides advance notice about new federal work requirements scheduled to begin on January 1, 2027. The letters will be mailed in several batches and will include State of Ohio branding. Receiving this letter does not mean a resident’s Medicaid coverage is changing immediately. Residents should not disregard this letter or future Medicaid notices.
“We know changes to essential benefits can cause concern and confusion,” said Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro. “Our goal is to make sure Summit County residents understand what is changing, know what steps they may need to take, and have access to help throughout this process.”
Beginning January 1, 2027, some adults ages 19 through 64 who receive Group VIII Medicaid will need to complete at least 80 hours (or the equivalent of) each month of approved activities. These activities may include paid work, self-employment, school, job training, community service, volunteer work, caregiving, or an internship. Residents may combine different activities to reach the required 80 hours (or equivalent of).
The requirement will not apply to everyone. Exceptions may include parents or caregivers of young children, people caring for someone with a disability, people with certain physical or mental health conditions, pregnant or postpartum residents, people participating in substance use treatment, certain veterans, people enrolled in Medicare, and others.
“Please do not ignore this letter or any future notices about your Medicaid coverage,” said Heather Yannayon, Chief Operating Officer of the Summit County Department of Job and Family Services (SCDJFS). “Make sure we have your current address which can be updated on the Ohio Benefits Self-Service Portal at benefits.ohio.gov. The county is still awaiting final guidance on implementation of this rule from the state, and it will be communicated as soon as we know more.”
Beginning in January, residents may be asked to provide documents showing that they completed the required activities or qualify for an exception. Examples may include pay stubs, an employer statement, a class schedule, medical information, or a letter from a volunteer or employment program.
Affected residents will also need to renew their Medicaid coverage every six months instead of once a year. Medicaid coverage could be denied or ended if a person is required to meet the new rule but does not provide the requested information.
Residents who receive Medicaid should:
- Make sure SCDJFS has their current mailing address;
- Open and read every letter about their Medicaid coverage;
- Respond to requests by the deadline listed in the notice;
- Report changes in address, income, household members, or pregnancy; and
- Keep copies of documents that may be needed.
This release reflects the information currently available to Summit County. Group VIII Medicaid recipients should review the official notice mailed by the State of Ohio for additional details and information specific to their coverage.
Additional information about Medicaid work requirements can be found at https://co.summitoh.net/pages/Federal-SNAP-and-Medicaid-Program-Changes.html or https://medicaid.ohio.gov/resources-for-providers/special-programs-and-initiatives/group-viii.
To avoid increasing phone wait times, SCDJFS is asking residents to utilize online resources and the Ohio Benefits Self-Services Portal whenever possible.
