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Written on October 23, 2019

Healthy Michigan Plan (HMP) Work Requirements

Starting January 1, 2020, Michigan law requires some people with Medicaid health care coverage through the Healthy Michigan Plan (HMP) to work or do other activities, like job search, for at least 80 hours each month.

If they do not meet this requirement, HMP members may lose coverage.

Do you need to report?

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) will send you information about work requirements. You will get a letter if MDHHS has information that you are exempt (excused). If you are exempt, you will not have to tell MDHHS each month about work or activities to keep your HMP coverage. If you do not get a letter saying that you are exempt (excused), you will need to report work or activities each month.

You must report work or other activities if you:

  • Are between ages 19 and 62
  • Have Medicaid health care coverage through the Healthy Michigan Plan
  • Don’t have a reason to be exempt (excused) from the new requirements

You are exempt (excused) from reporting if you:

  • Are pregnant or were pregnant within the last 2 months
  • Are the main caretaker for a family member under 6
  • Are a full-time student
  • Are under age 21 and were in Michigan foster care
  • Have been in prison or jail in the last 6 months
  • Are medically frail, such as being disabled, living in a nursing home, or having a complex medical condition—this includes people who are homeless and survivors of domestic violence
  • Have good cause, such as having a serious illness or being hospitalized
  • Get State of Michigan unemployment benefits
  • Get temporary or permanent disability payments
  • Have a medical condition that limits work, with a note from a medical provider
  • Care for a dependent with a disability, with a note from a medical provider
  • Care for a person who cannot make decisions for themselves
  • Receive food or cash assistance from MDHHS

To learn more about these requirements, go to HealthyMichiganPlan.org.

Type of work or activities that qualify:

Unless you are exempt, you must complete 80 hours of work or other activities, like job search, each month. You may use any combination of these work or other activities to meet the requirement:

  • Job or income
  • Job search
  • Student
  • Job training
  • Tribal employment program
  • Rehab (substance use disorder treatment)
  • Volunteering or internship

Tell us about work or activities or an exemption

To keep HMP health care coverage, people who are required to work or complete other activities must tell MDHHS about their hours. You also must tell MDHHS about most exemptions (reasons to be excused). You can tell us in 1 of 3 ways:

  1. Online: If you have a MI Bridges account, use the MI Bridges Portal by visiting michigan.gov/mibridges.
  2. By phone: Call the HMP Work Requirements and Exemption Reporting Line at 1-833-895-4355 (TTY 1-866-501-5656).
  3. In person: You can get help telling us about work, activities, or exemptions at your local MDHHS office.

Beneficiary Help Line

For questions or problems, or help to translate, call the Beneficiary Help Line at 1-800-642-3195 (TTY 1-866-501-5656).

Refer to the link for additional information: Healthy Michigan Plan Work Requirements