Key Facts

• The work requirements were scheduled to take effect in January.
• The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced the optional hold-harmless period.
• The period is intended to give states time to modernize systems, improve processes, and make applications and benefits easier to manage.
• State officials have warned that they are not ready to handle the rules.
• The requirements could put millions of people at risk of losing Medicaid coverage.
• Hospitals have started outreach efforts to help Medicaid beneficiaries prepare.
• People may lose coverage if they fail to understand or document how they meet reporting requirements.