New York Seeks Bronx Exemption from Medicaid Work Requirements

New York has notified CMS of plans to exempt Bronx County Medicaid members from new federal work requirements, citing the county's high unemployment rate. Under HR 1, members are exempt if they live in a county with unemployment at or above 8% or 1.5 times the national rate, whichever is lower, and the Bronx is currently the only New York county meeting that threshold. About 200,000 Bronx residents would otherwise have been subject to the rules. The broader work requirements take effect January 1, requiring adults ages 19-64 to show work, schooling, job training, or volunteering to keep coverage, unless another exemption applies.

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