In July 2025, the federal congress passed a new law, part of which affects Medicaid starting in January 2027. As of the first of the year, requirements are changing for those ages 19-64, as well as some eligible immigrants.
From the state of Vermont:
What is changing? The law puts in place new requirements to get and keep Medicaid. These new requirements are “community engagement” and 6-month renewals. It also changes rules about the length of retroactive coverage.
You are not affected if you are:
Under age 19
Aged 65 or older
Pregnant or up to 12 months postpartum
Entitled to, or enrolled in, Medicare
Do the new work requirements apply to me? Complete this screening tool to check:
How to meet Medicaid Work Requirements
For members affected (some adults aged 19 to 64), the new rules for 2027 are:
Work Requirements or “Community Engagement” Vermonters will need to show they have some combination of work, volunteering/community service, or education hours. Hours can be added up from all categories but must total at least 80 per month.
New applicants: Beginning January 1, 2027, applicants will have to show they meet work requirements during the month prior to their application.
Current enrollees: Beginning March 1, 2027, people renewing their Medicaid coverage will have to show they met work requirements in one of the months since they last applied or renewed.
Meeting work requirements can be shown by:
Monthly income of at least $580 (but not more than the Medicaid limit of 138% of the household FPL or about $22,025 per year for one person or $45,540 for a family of four); OR,
Work requirements do not apply to those who qualify for an exemption. Examples of an exclusion are being a caregiver of a disabled person or a child under age 14, or having certain health conditions.
Do the new work requirements apply to you? Answer these few questions.
6-month renewals
Medicaid eligibility is reviewed every six months instead of once a year.
Shorter periods of availability for retroactive Medicaid coverage
Reduced to one month for most affected adults.
Reduced to two months for those who are pregnant and children under age 19.
What is changing? Medicaid eligibility for some immigrants.
The law limits which non-citizens can get Medicaid to only certain lawful permanent residents, Cuban/Haitian entrants, and Compact of Free Association (COFA) migrants. These changes do not apply to non-citizens who are pregnant or under age 21.
For more information, see our information for non-citizens page.
Read the notice sent to immigrants potentially affected by these changes. The notice is available in English, Arabic, Dari, French, Nepali and Spanish.
Watch an informational video about these changes. The videos are available in English, Arabic, Dari, French, Mandarin, Nepali, Pashto, Somali, Spanish, and Swahili.
There may be other options for you if you lose Medicaid coverage. Click below to learn about free and discounted care, helpful programs for non-citizens, and helpful organizations that can assist you:
Some organizations in Vermont have people who can help you understand this whole process. They are called Assisters and they can help you in-person. You can ask if there is an Assister at your local doctor’s office. Assisters are also available when you call Vermont Health Connect at 855-899-9600.
