OHP Work and Activity Requirements for 2027

Received a notice from OHP?

Oregon is preparing for new federal Medicaid requirements that begin January 1, 2027. Some Oregon Health Plan (OHP) members ages 19–64 will need to meet a work or activity requirement or qualify for an exemption when they apply for or renew OHP.

Receiving an informational notice does not mean your OHP coverage is ending.

OHP sent notices to people who may be subject to the new requirements, including people who may qualify for an exemption. Before your renewal, OHP will send another notice explaining whether you need to provide information and when it is due.

What should I do now?

Read and keep the notice.
Make sure OHP has your current address and contact information.
Consider whether you already meet one of the requirements or qualify for an exemption.
Watch for your OHP renewal notice and follow the instructions it provides.

You generally do not need to start sending OHP work logs or other information simply because you received the initial informational notice.

What changes January 1, 2027?

Beginning January 1, some adults ages 19–64 will need to show that they meet a qualifying work or activity requirement or qualify for an exemption when applying for or renewing OHP.

There are several ways someone may meet the requirement. It is not simply a requirement to work at a job for 80 hours every month.

How can I meet the requirement?

Household income

Having more than $580 per month in household income before taxes and deductions may satisfy the requirement.

School

Being enrolled in school at least half-time may satisfy the requirement. This can include high school or a GED program.

Work or other qualifying activities

You may also meet the requirement by completing at least 80 hours per month of qualifying activities. Activities can be combined and may include employment, self-employment, seasonal work, school or education, job training or a work program, qualifying volunteer work, caregiving, and other activities recognized by OHP.

You do not necessarily need 80 hours from a single job or activity. Volunteer work generally needs to be through an organized public agency or nonprofit program that records and can verify your hours.

Who may qualify for an exemption?

Many people who receive the OHP informational notice may qualify for an exemption and therefore may not have to meet the work or activity requirement. Current OHP exemptions include circumstances such as:

Pregnancy or recent pregnancy
Regularly caring for a child under age 14
Caring for someone with a disability or serious health condition
Having certain serious or disabling health conditions or other qualifying disability circumstances
Receiving Medicare or SSI
Having a 100% VA disability rating
Receiving inpatient or residential care
Traveling for qualifying medical care
Current or recent treatment for a drug or alcohol use disorder
Recent release from jail or prison
Certain SNAP work-requirement circumstances
American Indian or Alaska Native status
Living in certain areas experiencing high unemployment
Living in an area covered by a qualifying federal disaster declaration

This list is a general summary, not an individual eligibility determination. OHP determines whether an exemption applies based on your circumstances.

You don't necessarily have to be legally disabled to qualify for a health-related exemption

OHP's health-related exemptions can apply to certain serious or disabling health conditions even when someone does not receive disability benefits. OHP gives examples including recovery from major surgery or serious injury, cancer treatment, dialysis, COPD, complicated diabetes, major depressive disorder, substance-use disorder, and other serious health conditions.

Do I need proof of an exemption in 2027?

Under OHP's current guidance, members can report that they qualify for an exemption in 2027 without providing proof of the exemption. OHP says documentation requirements will change for more exemptions beginning in 2028.

You may still be asked for information or documentation for other parts of your OHP eligibility review, so always follow the instructions in your individual notice.

What information might OHP ask for?

Depending on how you meet the requirement, OHP may be able to verify some information electronically or may ask you to provide information.

Income: Pay stubs, employer or bank statements, self-employment records, tax forms, or other monthly-income documentation.

School: Class schedules, financial-aid award letters, or statements from your school or program.

Work or activities: Timesheets, activity logs, or statements from an employer, school, training program, or qualifying volunteer organization.

Special rules can also apply to seasonal workers. Wait for instructions from OHP about what information is needed for your situation.

When will OHP check the requirement?

The new requirement begins January 1, 2027, but that does not mean every OHP member has to submit information on January 1. OHP will generally review the requirement when an affected person applies for OHP or reaches an OHP renewal.

For a new applicant, OHP generally checks the month immediately before the application month. For a renewal, OHP will look at at least one month during the six months before the renewal date. Your renewal notice should tell you what OHP needs and when it is due.

What happens if I don't meet the requirement?

If the requirement applies to you and you don't meet it or qualify for an exemption, your OHP coverage could end. This does not create a permanent ban from OHP. You can apply again, and OHP will determine whether you meet the eligibility requirements at that time.

What if my OHP coverage ends?

Losing OHP may allow you to enroll in individual health insurance through Oregon's Marketplace, Explore Health. Marketplace eligibility is different from OHP eligibility. Losing OHP because of the new work or activity requirements does not guarantee that you will qualify for Marketplace financial assistance.

If OHP tells you that your coverage is ending, I can help you understand your Marketplace options, work through the next steps in Explore Health, and compare available 2027 health plans.

Get Help With an OHP Transition

Other OHP changes are coming

The work and activity requirements are part of broader federal changes affecting OHP. Other changes have different effective dates, including changes to retroactive coverage and, later in 2027, renewal frequency for some adults.

Because implementation guidance can change, use Oregon Health Authority information and notices from OHP as the authoritative source for your individual OHP eligibility.

Official Oregon guidance: Federal changes to OHP. Last reviewed October 5, 2026.