Arkansas will begin a soft launch of Medicaid work and community engagement requirements for enrollees in its Medicaid expansion program on July 1, with full enforcement set to begin Jan. 1, 2027.
State officials said in February that healthy adults enrolled in Arkansas Health and Opportunity for Me, or ARHOME, will be required to work, volunteer, or attend school for at least 80 hours per month. No penalties will be in effect during the soft launch period, but the state will run automated checks to determine whether beneficiaries are meeting, exempt from, or not meeting the requirement, and will notify them of their status.
About 217,000 people were enrolled in ARHOME as of Feb. 1. The requirement applies to enrollees ages 19 to 64 who are not exempt. Exempt categories include pregnant and postpartum women, disabled veterans, caregivers, and those with special medical needs…