Virginia Medicaid Recipients Get New Eligibility Support
Adults on Medicaid can now access outreach resources to prepare for new 80-hour monthly work requirements starting in 2027.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Eldercare
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The nonprofit Keep Your Care has launched an outreach campaign in Virginia to help Medicaid recipients prepare for new federal eligibility standards. These changes, which mandate monthly work or activity requirements, will go into effect on January 1, 2027.
Why it matters
The campaign aims to clarify upcoming federal mandates that will require Medicaid recipients to meet specific activity benchmarks to maintain their coverage. This helps households avoid potential gaps in care as the state begins more frequent eligibility reviews.
The new rules apply to Medicaid recipients ages 19 through 64. Participants must complete 80 hours a month of work, school, job training, or community service, with state eligibility reviews occurring every six months.
The players
Keep Your Care
An independent nonprofit organization focused on helping Medicaid recipients understand and navigate complex federal eligibility requirements.
The details
Recipients must engage in qualifying activities for 80 hours each month to meet the federal mandate. To minimize the administrative burden, the state plans to use existing information to verify eligibility whenever possible during its new six-month review cycle. The Keep Your Care website provides a portal to connect users with official state resources to help navigate these compliance steps.
Timeline
October 28, 2026: The Keep Your Care campaign launched in Virginia.
January 1, 2027: New federal Medicaid work and reporting requirements begin.
The Home Front
These updates mark a shift toward stricter, more frequent reporting under the federal Medicaid Expansion framework. Households should prepare for a transition from annual to semi-annual eligibility reviews beginning in 2027.
Medicaid recipients aged 19 to 64 should begin tracking their monthly work or job training hours now to ensure they meet the 80-hour requirement. Visit the Keep Your Care website to review state-specific resources as you prepare for the January 1, 2027 implementation date.
The takeaway
Understanding these new reporting requirements early is the best way to ensure continuous access to healthcare benefits. Start gathering documentation of your work, school, or community service activities to verify your eligibility during upcoming state reviews.
Further reading
Learn more about local support services on the Virginia Eldercare page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Henrico Citizen.
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