West Virginia lawmakers told Medicaid work requirements on track for January 1 start

West Virginia officials confirmed the state is on schedule to implement Medicaid work requirements starting January 1, 2027. The policy, authorized under a federal waiver, will require certain non-disabled, non-pregnant adult enrollees to meet monthly work or community engagement hours to maintain coverage. This follows CMS's controversial final rule on work requirements published earlier this year, which Brookings researchers have criticized for flawed assumptions. For practices with a significant Medicaid patient base in West Virginia, this means preparing for potential coverage churn and patient confusion as the rules take effect. Track the state Medicaid agency's implementation announcements and educate front-office staff on the coming changes to help patients navigate the new requirements.