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Just Released
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The Implementation
of Work Requirements in Arkansas Has Been Complex and Many
Medicaid Enrollees Are Not Aware of New Rules or Face Obstacles in
Complying
The implementation of
Medicaid work requirements in Arkansas has been complex, with many Medicaid
enrollees still not aware of program changes despite substantial
outreach. In addition, an online reporting requirement is proving
difficult for many enrollees due to limited knowledge of the requirements as
well as lack of computer literacy and internet access, according to a new analysis from
KFF (the Kaiser Family Foundation).
Since Arkansas became the first state to implement
Medicaid work requirements in June, more than 4,300 residents have lost
coverage due to the work and reporting requirements and another 5,000 are at
risk of losing their insurance should they fail to report for another month.
Additional follow-up is needed to understand the circumstances leading to
coverage loss. The analysis of the state’s early experience with work
and reporting requirements is based on publicly available data and
information as well as interviews conducted in August and September with
state officials, health plans, providers, and beneficiary advocates.
The analysis finds that telephone calls, emails,
social media and online videos may have a limited reach as accurate phone
numbers are often not available and enrollees may not have access to
computers or internet. Low literacy levels and the complexity of the
process are also factors making outreach and education difficult.
Arkansas’ requirement that enrollees set up an online account and report work
activities or exemptions monthly is a barrier for many enrollees who have low
computer literacy and lack computers, email or internet access.
Interviewees noted additional obstacles to work such as transportation and
lack of jobs for people with low educational levels.
The early experience in Arkansas can show other
states considering similar policies the challenges and implications.
New Hampshire and Indiana have approved waivers for Medicaid work
requirements, and 10 other states have waivers pending at the Centers for
Medicare and Medicaid Services. A federal court blocked Kentucky’s Medicaid
work requirements waiver and sent it back to the U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services.
Monitor developments with our Medicaid waiver tracker. For more quantitative data on
implementation of the new requirements in Arkansas, see An
Early Look at State Data for Medicaid Work Requirements in Arkansas,
released by KFF last month.
Filling
the need for trusted information on national health issues,
the Kaiser Family Foundation is a nonprofit organization based in San
Francisco, California.
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Tuesday, October 9, 2018
The Implementation of Work Requirements in Arkansas Has Been Complex and Many Medicaid Enrollees Are Not Aware of New Rules or Face Obstacles in Complying
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