The change is a federal Medicaid requirement that Idaho is preparing to implement, not a new Idaho statute. It will apply to the state’s Medicaid expansion population, with exemptions and temporary hardship provisions for people who meet specified conditions.

What the new standard requires

In general, people must document at least 80 hours per month of qualifying activity. Idaho lists employment, education, job training, work programs, volunteer service, community service or a combination of those activities.

People who earn at least $580 per month can meet the requirement through the earnings alternative instead. The $580 threshold is separate from the 80-hour activity standard; residents do not need to satisfy both when the earnings alternative applies.

Applicants face a three-month look-back

Beginning January 1, 2027, people applying for Idaho Medicaid expansion generally must show that they met the activity or earnings standard, or qualified for an exemption, in each of the three consecutive months before applying.

The three-month look-back applies to applicants. It is different from the review process for people who are already enrolled.

Current enrollees will be reviewed on six-month cycles

Existing Medicaid expansion enrollees will be reviewed according to six-month coverage and renewal cycles. Idaho says the first checks will apply to coverage periods ending on or after January 1, 2027. That does not mean every enrollee will be reviewed on January 1; timing will vary by the person’s coverage period and renewal schedule.

For current enrollees, qualifying activity, an exemption or a temporary hardship must apply during at least three calendar months in the six-month review period.

Activities that may count

Idaho lists several types of qualifying activity, including:

• Paid employment or participation in a work program
• Volunteer or community service
• Job training
• College or technical education
• High school or GED programs
• A combination of qualifying activities

Residents may want to keep records of hours, participation and earnings in case the department requests information.

Exemptions cover several circumstances

The requirement does not apply in the same way to everyone. Idaho’s guidance lists exemptions for people who are pregnant or were pregnant within the previous 12 months; parents or other relatives who are the main caregivers of a child age 13 or younger; caregivers of a person with a disability; and people with physical, mental or developmental disabilities that make daily activities difficult.

Other listed categories include people with serious or complex health conditions requiring regular medical care, substance-use disorders or participation in drug or alcohol treatment, disabling mental health conditions, blindness, and people ages 18 to 25 who aged out of foster care.

Idaho also lists American Indian and Alaska Native people, veterans with a 100% disability rating, people who are currently incarcerated or were released within the previous 90 days, and people already meeting SNAP or TANF work requirements.

Residents who believe an exemption may apply should review the category and be prepared to provide information if the department does not already have the necessary documentation.

Temporary hardships may also apply

Idaho identifies limited temporary hardship circumstances that can pause activity reporting for a short period. Examples include a hospital stay, travel for medical care and a natural disaster.

A temporary hardship is not the same as a permanent exemption. Residents should follow DHW instructions about the applicable period and any information needed to document the hardship.

What Idaho residents should do now

DHW says it is sending letters to affected households and plans additional communications, including virtual town halls, before implementation. Residents can take several steps now:

• Update mailing address, phone and email information through Idalink.
• Sign up for email and text alerts and monitor mailed notices.
• Track work, school, training, volunteer and community-service activity.
• Review whether a health, caregiving, tribal, veteran, foster-care, incarceration or SNAP/TANF exemption may apply.
• Respond promptly if DHW requests records or other information.

For questions, to verify enrollment status or to provide requested information, DHW lists 877-456-1233, Idalink and MyBenefits@dhw.idaho.gov.

What happens next

Idaho will continue notifying Medicaid expansion participants before the January 1, 2027, implementation date. Current enrollees will not all face review at once; their timing will depend on the end of their six-month coverage period and renewal cycle.

For applicants, the key preparation issue is documenting the three months before an application. For current enrollees, the practical step is to maintain records throughout each six-month review period and respond when DHW asks for information.

Sources

• Idaho Medicaid expansion requirements
• CMS launches nationwide framework to implement Medicaid work requirements
• Idaho Medicaid expansion recipients will face new work reporting requirements beginning in 2027