Pennsylvania state agencies are actively mailing formal notices to more than 700,000 residents enrolled in the Medicaid expansion program to alert them about new federal work requirements set to take effect next year, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services. Approximately 183,000 of those impacted individuals live in Philadelphia, where local leaders are mounting an awareness campaign to help residents maintain their health coverage.
Pennsylvania Medicaid Work Requirements and Timelines
The upcoming policy shifts originate from H.R. 1, a federal budget law signed by President Donald Trump. Starting in January 2027, adults in the Medicaid expansion category—generally individuals ages 19 to 64 without dependent children, a disability, or a pregnancy—must demonstrate at least 80 hours per month of work, volunteering, or other qualifying activities to keep their benefits. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, mailings for the first group of eligible recipients are scheduled to reach households by September 21, with monthly mailings continuing through January for newly enrolled expansion recipients. The state estimates that more than 310,000 enrollees could potentially lose coverage due to administrative barriers tied to these changes, as summarized by Medicaid Monitor from Spotlight PA reporting.
What Recipients Must Do and How to Update Info
The formal notices are arriving in six different languages: English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Arabic, and Russian. Each letter identifies specific household members subject to the new rules and directs recipients to update their contact information through the state’s MYCOMPASS PA mobile app or by phone. Recipients are also instructed to check whether they qualify for an exemption from the work mandate. DHS spokesperson Brandon Cwalina stated that the Shapiro Administration is committed to helping Medicaid recipients navigate these program requirements. Additionally, the Rehabilitation and Community Providers Association noted that automated phone calls and text messages will accompany the physical mailings starting in mid-September.
Philadelphia Outreach and Additional Policy Changes
City officials in Philadelphia are using all available platforms to spread awareness and minimize negative impacts on local residents. Crystal Yates-Gale, first deputy managing director at Philadelphia’s Managing Director’s Office, told WHYY that the city’s primary goal is ensuring people open their mail, download the COMPASS app, and keep their addresses current. Alongside work mandates, H.R. 1 introduces two other major modifications starting in January 2027. Expansion enrollees will face eligibility renewals every six months rather than annually, and the retroactive coverage window—which currently allows Medicaid to cover medical costs dating back three months before an application date—will shrink to one month for expansion enrollees and two months for other categories.
Did You Know?
Pennsylvania’s Medicaid program is also known as Medical Assistance or HealthChoices, and it provides vital health care access to low-income adults across the commonwealth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is affected by the new Medicaid work requirements in Pennsylvania?
Adults ages 19 to 64 who are enrolled in the Medicaid expansion population—meaning they do not have dependent children, a disability, or a pregnancy—are subject to the new rules, according to state officials.
What must recipients do to keep their health insurance?
Affected individuals must prove they work or volunteer at least 80 hours a month, check for exemptions, and ensure their contact information is up to date through the MYCOMPASS PA app or by phone, as instructed by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.
When do the new work requirements and policy changes take effect?
Formal notices are currently being mailed out ahead of the federal rules taking effect in January 2027, with mailings continuing through January for newly enrolled expansion recipients.
Want to stay updated on local policy changes and community news? Subscribe to our newsletter or explore our latest reporting for more in-depth coverage across Pennsylvania.
Keep reading