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.

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. 

  • 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 recently released  

    • 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 

    • Veterans with a total disability rating 

  • 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.

Resources for Community Based Organizations:

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