CMS Requires More Restrictive Definition of Medical Frailty in New Medicaid Work Requirements Rule Jennifer Tolbert Jennifer Tolbert Published: June 2, 2026

https://www.kff.org/quick-insights/cms-requires-more-restrictive-definition-of-medical-frailty-in-new-medicaid-work-requirements-rule/ On June 1, 2026, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued an interim final rule on Medicaid work requirements that adopts a restrictive definition of medical frailty—differing from states’ early expectations. The more restrictive definition of medical frailty adopted by the Trump Administration will be challenging for states to implement and could lead to more people falling through the cracks and losing coverage.