09/14/2026
The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (PA DHS) today announced that nearly 700,000 Pennsylvanians who are on Medicaid will begin receiving letters this week to inform them of federally-mandated changes to the program that are scheduled to begin in January 2027. This letter is the first in a series of communications from PA DHS to notify Pennsylvanians about changes to Medicaid at the federal level and what they need to do to keep their coverage. A copy of the letter is available on PA DHS’ website. The letter will be followed by automated calls and text messages starting in mid-September.
Under the federal budget bill passed by Congressional Republicans and signed into law by President Trump in July 2025, beginning January 2027, some Medicaid recipients and applicants ages 19-64 who do not have a dependent child under 14 years old will need to meet work requirements or show they meet an exemption to keep their coverage. Work requirements will be checked when a Pennsylvanian applies for Medicaid and at renewal for current Medicaid recipients. The mailing to affected Medicaid recipients outlines how to meet work requirements, details exemptions to these requirements, and what recipients must do to stay covered. Also beginning in 2027, Medicaid renewals for these recipients will take place every six months instead of every year.
“For the first time ever, some Pennsylvania Medicaid recipients will need to verify they are working to receive health coverage. We have seen that when Medicaid work requirements have been enacted in other states, it adds more red tape, resulting in people losing their health care, not because they are not eligible but because the process to keep coverage is more difficult and creates confusion,” said PA DHS Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh. “PA DHS is doing everything we can to ensure Pennsylvanians stay covered. Since HR 1 became law last year, we have been preparing for these changes to the Medicaid program, including improving our technological capabilities and hiring staff. We are working alongside community organizations, health systems, managed care organizations, and others, to share information about these changes and to make sure Pennsylvanians who are eligible for Medicaid keep their coverage.”
