Arkansas Begins Medicaid Work Requirement Testing Ahead of 2027 Rollout

The Arkansas Department of Human Services has begun testing new Medicaid work requirement checks but says no one will lose health coverage because of the policy until Jan. 1, 2027.

The requirements apply only to ARHOME, the state’s Medicaid expansion program for eligible adults ages 19 to 64 without a disability. Once the policy takes effect, recipients will be required to complete at least 80 hours per month of work, school, community service or approved job training unless they qualify for an exemption.

For the remainder of 2026, DHS will use Medicaid renewals to test its verification system and notify recipients whether they appear to meet the future requirements. Officials say eligibility will be verified using wage records and other state assistance data, not artificial intelligence.

State officials estimate about 42,000 ARHOME recipients could eventually lose coverage after the work requirements take effect next year. Supporters say the policy promotes employment, while critics argue it could result in eligible residents losing coverage because of administrative barriers.