Medicaid Work Requirements 2026: Nebraska Day 1 — Will You Lose Coverage?

# Medicaid Work Requirements 2026: Nebraska Day 1 — Will You Lose Coverage?

> **Quick answer:** As of May 1, 2026, Nebraska became the first state to enforce Medicaid work requirements under federal law signed in 2025. Enrollees in the Medicaid expansion group must document 80 hours per month of qualifying work, school, job training, or volunteer activities — or lose coverage. Broad exemptions exist for pregnant women, parents of young children, and those who are medically frail. Every state must comply by January 1, 2027.

Medicaid work requirements 2026 are now live, and the question most of the 90 million Americans on Medicaid are searching is simple: does this apply to me? May 1 was Day 1 in Nebraska, where up to 40,000 people risk losing health insurance. Montana follows on July 1. Iowa on December 1. Every expansion state hits the federal deadline on January 1, 2027. Here is exactly what you need to know to protect your coverage.

> **This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical or legal advice. If you receive a notice about your Medicaid coverage, contact your state Medicaid agency or a certified enrollment counselor immediately.**

## What Happened on May 1, 2026 — and Why It Matters Now

Nebraska became the first state in the country to enforce federal Medicaid community engagement requirements, implementing the policy eight months ahead of the January 2027 national deadline. The state's Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) sent notices to expansion enrollees — adults ages 19 to 64 who gained coverage under the Affordable Care Act's Medicaid expansion — informing them of the new 80-hours-per-month threshold.