Survey Offers Early Look at States’ Differing Approaches to Implementing Medicaid Work Requirements Amid Cost and Time Constraints and Uncertainty from Delayed Federal Guidance Many States Seek Less Restrictive Policies and Automated Verification Where Possible, While Seven States Plan for More Restrictive Verification or Early Implementation Published: Apr 30, 2026

https://www.kff.org/medicaid/survey-offers-early-look-at-states-differing-approaches-to-implementing-medicaid-work-requirements-amid-cost-and-time-constraints-and-uncertainty-from-delayed-federal-guidance/ A new KFF survey of state Medicaid officials and focus groups in eight states captures the different choices states are making about how to implement Medicaid work requirements, with seven states planning for a more restrictive approach to verifying work or exemption status or to implement work requirements early. These implementation plans are taking shape as states encounter time, cost, and other constraints as well as uncertainty about how to define and verify certain exemptions due to delayed federal guidance.