OKLAHOMA CITY – Many enrollees in the state’s SoonerCare (Medicaid) program have received yellow letters from the Oklahoma Health Care Authority informing them about new work requirements starting Jan. 1, 2027.
Mandated in the One Big Beautiful Bill, the work requirement applies to expansion adults ages 19 to 64 who are not otherwise exempt.
The OHCA mailed the letter Aug. 31 to all SoonerCare members who likely will have to meet the work requirements unless an exception applies, according to Rebecca Sheppard, spokesperson for the OHCA.
Before hitting the panic button, “The only action needed for now” is for SoonerCare recipients to “update their personal information,” including telephone number, mailing address, and email address, in the MySoonerCare.org portal, Sheppard said. “They will be notified if they need to provide additional information.”
The new federal law requires some SoonerCare members to work or help in their community in order to keep their health coverage. The new federal law requires 80 hours of work per month via employment, community service/work programs and/ or educational programs.
The work requirement can be met in at least one of the following ways:
•Have a monthly income of at least $580 or be a seasonal worker and have an average monthly income over the previous six months that was at least $580, which amounts to $7.25/hour for 80 hours.
•Work a minimum of 80 hours per month.
•Perform at least 80 hours of community service.
•Participate in a work program for at least 80 hours in a month.
•Be actively enrolled in an educational program at least half-time.
•Engage in any combination of work, community service, a work program or education for at least 80 hours in a month.
Volunteering means unpaid work for community benefit. To meet work requirements, volunteer hours must be through a structured program managed by a public or nonprofit organization.
To track and document volunteer hours, “Ask the organization you volunteered with for paperwork that verifies your volunteer hours,” Sheppard advised. “If we need more information from you, we will contact you with instructions about what documents you need to submit.”
School programs include at least half-time enrollment in a college or university, a CareerTech education program, a high school or high school equivalency program. The institution determines what counts as “half-time” based on enrollment status.
Work programs consist of certain federal or state-recognized employment and training programs.
Anyone needing help finding a job or enrolling in school should view resources on the Work Requirements page at oklahoma.gov/ohca/ workrequirements.
The work requirements do not apply to many people. Those include: Oklahomans who are enrolled in or entitled to Medicare; children 18 or younger; adults 65 or older; American Indian/Alaskan Native individuals; military veterans who have a disability rated total/100%; foster and former foster youths 25 and younger; pregnant and postpartum women; parents or caretakers of children 13 years of age and younger; parents or caretakers of individuals with disabilities; people who have a health condition that makes it difficult to meet the work requirements; people who are blind or disabled; individuals who have a substance use disorder or disabling mental disorder; people who have a serious or complex medical condition; participants in a qualifying addiction or alcohol treatment program; individuals who meet Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) work requirements, or receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and are subject to SNAP work requirements; and individuals currently incarcerated or who have been incarcerated within the last three months.
SoonerCare members may request short-term exceptions. The Health Care Authority will provide additional information on the process to request an exception. Short-term hardship exceptions are:
•Individuals receiving inpatient hospital, nursing facility ICF/IID, inpatient psychiatric, or other similar inpatient or outpatient services.
•Individuals who must travel outside their community for an extended period to receive necessary medical treatment for a serious or complex medical condition. This also applies when the person’s dependent must travel for such treatment.
•People residing in a county where an emergency or disaster has been declared by the President. OHCA must obtain federal approval before this specific exception can be utilized.
•People who live in a county that has an unemployment rate that is at or above the lesser of 8% or 1.5 times the national unemployment rate. OHCA must obtain federal approval before this specific exception can be utilized.
Mike W. Ray is afifth-generation, award-winning journalist who has more than 55years’ experience covering municipal, county, state and federal government in Oklahoma and Texas. He can be reached at mike.ray@swoknews.com. mailto:mike.ray@swoknews.com