Managing Director Michael Heifetz Featured in Stateline
Tracking Medicaid Patients’ Work Status May Prove Challenging for States
By the end of next year, 40 Medicaid expansion states and Washington, D.C., must begin verifying the monthly work status of millions of enrollees. Under the new federal law, states must ensure participants are working or volunteering at least 80 hours per month or attending school part-time.
While $200 million in funding has been allocated for 2026, experts warn it may not be sufficient. Previous attempts to implement work requirements have resulted in high administrative costs and coverage losses, such as in Arkansas, where more than 18,000 residents lost Medicaid during a short-lived mandate.
Michael Heifetz, Managing Director, recently emphasized the operational hurdles in Stateline:
“Each state’s technology, timeline, and budget will differ, but success will depend on collaboration. Meeting these requirements will involve data sharing with agencies that traditionally aren’t part of the Medicaid ecosystem. With the right strategy and tools, including artificial intelligence, states can streamline these processes and reduce the burden on both staff and enrollees.”
How A&M Can Help
At Alvarez & Marsal, we leverage our deep experience with state governments to design solutions that balance compliance, accessibility, and equity, helping ensure vulnerable populations retain critical coverage.
