Keep your Medicaid coverage
New work requirements and renewals will go into effect January 1, 2027.
Members need to be aware of key dates to keep from losing their coverage.
Work Requirements
Quick links:
Understanding Medicaid work requirements
Because care is the heart of our work, AmeriHealth Caritas Ohio puts our members first. We are here to help you understand the steps you may need to take to stay covered so you can get care and stay well.
Starting January 1, 2027, some Ohio Medicaid members will need to take extra steps to keep their benefits. The new rules affect people enrolled in Group VIII (Group 8) coverage, also known as MAGI Adult or Ribicoff coverage.
- How to keep Medicaid coverage
- How to meet requirements
- How to prove requirements
Step 1: Keep your contact information up to date.
Make sure Ohio Medicaid has your mailing address, phone number and email address. Report changes within 10 days. Tell your county Job and Family Services office if your income, job, address, household members, or pregnancy status changes.
Step 2: Read mail, email, and text messages about your Medicaid coverage.
If more information is needed from you, you will receive a notice.
Step 3: Respond by the deadline if Ohio asks you for information.
Fulfilling all paperwork will help you to keep your coverage.
*Approved activities may include:
- Working for pay or being self-employed
- Doing unpaid work, such as caregiving, an internship, or work in exchange for goods or housing
- Volunteering through an organization, government agency, or religious group that helps the community and is not for a political purpose
- Taking part in a recognized work program, including programs through OhioMeansJobs
- Going to high school, a GED course, college, or technical school at least half-time
- Using a combination of approved activities for a total of at least 80 hours in the month
Keep records in case Ohio Medicaid asks for proof
Examples of proof include paycheck stubs, a letter from an employer, self-employment tax records or a ledger, a letter showing volunteer or work-program hours, school enrollment records, or a class schedule.
Updating your contact information
There are several ways you can update your contact information:
- Upload information through the Ohio Benefits Self-Service Portal at benefits.ohio.gov.
- Mail or take documents to your county Job and Family Services office. County locations are available at benefits.ohio.gov.
- Call the Ohio Medicaid Consumer Hotline at 1-800-324-8680 or call your county Job and Family Services office.
You may not have to meet the work requirement if an exemption applies. Examples include:
- Pregnancy or postpartum coverage
- Certain health conditions or disabilities
- Caring for a child age 13 or younger or a disabled person
- Qualifying foster care status
- Qualifying Native American status
- Total veteran disability
- Certain TANF or SNAP participation
- Drug or alcohol treatment
- Recent release from incarceration
- Medicare Part A or Part B status
Ohio decides whether an exemption applies. Keep documents that may help show your exemption. These may include a doctor’s statement, disability award letter, birth certificate, custody record, Medicare card, treatment-program statement, tribal identification card, or proof of release from incarceration.
Still have questions?
Call the Ohio Medicaid Consumer Hotline at 1-800-324-8680 or visit the Ohio Medicaid Work and Community Engagement webpage. For more support, you can also call Member Services 24/7 at 1-833-764-7700 (TTY 1-833-889-6446).