Changes are coming to Iowa Medicaid

Contact Iowa Medicaid

that could impact your coverage.

Here’s what you need to know and how you can get prepared.

Starting December 1, 2026: If you are enrolled in the Iowa Health and Wellness Plan (also called Medicaid Expansion), you may need to complete 80 hours each month of work, school, job training, or volunteer activities to keep your Medicaid coverage.

Starting January 1, 2027: You will need to renew your Medicaid coverage every six months instead of once a year.

Start preparing for these changes now.

  • Make sure your contact information is up to date with Iowa Medicaid. This includes your mailing address, email address, and phone number.

    • Why? It is important to have updated contact information to receive the relevant information Iowa HHS is sending out regarding these updates.

  • Keep track of your activities.

    • Begin tracking your work, school, or volunteer activities.

    • Save important documents: Pay stubs, proof of school enrollment, records of volunteer activities, or other documents that show you meet the requirements.

To report a change call 1-877-347-5678 or by emailing IMCSC@hhs.iowa.gov 

What You Need to Know

You are not affected if you are:

  • Under age 19

  • Age 65 or older

  • Enrolled in or qualify for Medicare

  • Pregnant or were pregnant in the last 12 months

  • An American Indian or Alaska Native​

  • Enrolled in long-term care

Most Iowa Medicaid Members Are Not Impacted

Community Engagement Requirements

If the community engagement requirements apply to you, you can:

  • Earn $580 or more each month

  • Complete 80 hours of approved activities each month

  • Meet the requirement with a mix of income and approved activities

Approved activities include working, school, job training, a work program, community service, or volunteering.

The work requirements do not apply to everyone. Learn who may be exempt.

6-Month Renewals

Starting January 1, 2027, most adults on the Iowa Health and Wellness Plan will need to renew their Medicaid coverage every 6 months instead of once a year.

Watch for letters, emails, or other information from Iowa HHS about your renewal. Make sure Iowa HHS has your current address, phone number, and email so you do not miss important information about your coverage.

What is changing?

Am I covered by the IHAWP?

The Iowa Health and Wellness Plan (IHAWP) is administered by the health plans below. These plans provide Medicaid coverage to members in Iowa.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Beginning December 1, 2026, individuals on the Iowa Health and Wellness Plan (also known as Medicaid expansion or Obamacare) who are ages 19-64 will be required to meet community engagement requirements, also known as work requirements.

    • If you are on the Iowa Health and Wellness Plan, your insurance is through Wellpoint, Molina Healthcare, Iowa Total Care, DeltaDental, or DentaQuest.   

    • To keep Medicaid coverage, a member will need to have 80 hours a month of qualifying activities. If the person does not report 80 hours a month of community engagement, they will lose their Medicaid coverage.  

    Beginning January 1, 2027, Medicaid renewals will happen every six months instead of once a year. 

  • New Applicants

    If you apply for IHAWP on or after December 1, 2026, these requirements apply to you.

    You must meet the requirements during the month before you apply.

    Current IHAWP Members

    If your IHAWP renewal is February 2027 or later, these requirements apply to you.

    You must meet the requirements for at least two months between your last eligibility review or renewal and your next renewal.

  • Visit the Iowa HHS Self-Service Portal at https://hhsservices.iowa.gov/apspssp/ssp.portal and use Ellie, the virtual assistant, to check your situation.

    You can also: 

    • Call 1-877-347-5678 

  • Any combination of the following activities that totals 80 hours per month classify as qualifying activities:   

    Work, including in-kind services 

    • This means any type of paid labor including if you receive payment in non-cash forms, such as in reduced rent.

     Participation in a certified work program  

    • Find a certified work program here.

    Engaged in supervised volunteer work

    • Find volunteer opportunities in your community here.   

    Enrolled at least part time in certified educational program

    • This can be any form of higher education or trade school. Independent study does not count as a qualifying activity.   

    Household income of at least $580 per month

    Seasonal works: average of $580 over 6 months

    • Anyone who is pregnant or has had a baby in the last 12 months while on Iowa Medicaid  

    • A caretaker for a child under the age of 14  

    • A caretaker for a person with a disability  

    • A person who is currently incarcerated or was released from incarceration within the last four (4) months

    • A person currently participating in a work release program or left a work release program within the last four (4) months

    • A person who is in a drug or alcohol treatment program  

    • A person who has a disability is medically frail, or has a serious medical condition as defined by federal and state law  

    • A person who is meeting work requirements for SNAP or FIP  

    • A veteran with a total disability rating  

    • A person who is an American Indian or Alaskan Native  

    • A former foster youth up to age 26  

    • Individuals recently incarcerated

  • Iowa Health and Wellness Plan (Medicaid Expansion) members who meet certain criteria qualify for an exception from the community engagement requirements. With an exception, they are automatically counted as meeting the requirements for that six-month enrollment period and are not required to complete any community engagement activities.

    These include:  

    • Individuals enrolled or eligible for Medicare  

    • Individuals under the age of 19 at any point in the 6-month enrollment period  

  • IHAWP Community Engagement website

    • This website is where Iowa Medicaid is adding information about the upcoming changes.

    Iowa HHS Services Portal website

    • The Iowa HHS Services Portal includes Ellie, an online assistant that can answer questions about eligibility and requirements. 

    Iowa Medicaid beneficiary notice letter

    • This is the letter that Iowa Medicaid members are receiving if they must meet work requirements.

    Iowa Medicaid beneficiary notice letter (Spanish)

    • This is the letter that Iowa Medicaid members are receiving in Spanish.

  • The Iowa Health and Wellness Plan (IHAWP) provides low-cost or no-cost health coverage to Iowans ages 19 to 64. Whether you qualify depends on your household income.

    Check Your Requirements

    Not sure if these requirements apply to you? Visit the Self-Service Portal and chat with Ellie, the virtual assistant.

    Report a Change

    If something changes, such as your income, address, or household, you can report the change:

    • Call: 1-877-347-5678

    • Email: IMCSC@hhs.iowa.govription

  • If the new requirement applies to you and you do not meet it, you may not qualify for Medicaid coverage or your coverage may end.

    If you lose coverage:

    • You can apply for Medicaid again at any time. Visit Iowa’s Self-Service Portal to apply.

    • You may be able to get health insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace. You may not qualify for help paying your monthly cost. Visit HealthCare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 (TTY: 1-855-889-4325) to learn more or enroll in a plan.

HR1 Resources

Educational Flyers

Understanding Community Engagement Requirements

Other Resources

Questions?

Contact Iowa Medicaid Member Services:

  • Toll-Free: 1-800-338-8366

  • Email: IMEmember@hhs.iowa.gov

  • To report a change in contact information: 1-877-347-5678