ODP UPDATE – Coming Soon: Medicaid Letters, Calls, and Texts
Coming Soon: Medicaid Letters, Calls, and Texts
Medicaid recipients who will be affected by changes to Medicaid that begin on January 1, 2027, will soon receive a letter from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (PA DHS) about these upcoming changes.
Throughout September, nearly 700,000 Medicaid recipients in Pennsylvania will receive a letter from PA DHS outlining new Medicaid work requirements and what they need to do to keep their coverage. The letter will be followed by automated calls and text messages starting in mid-September.
The major changes that will affect some Medicaid applicants and recipients are:
Renewing Medicaid Every Six Months
- Starting January 1, 2027, some adults ages 19-64 will need to have their Medicaid eligibility checked by completing a renewal every six months instead of every year.
Medicaid Work Requirements
- Starting January 1, 2027, some adults ages 19-64 who do not have a dependent child under 14 years old must show they are meeting work requirements or are exempt.
If a Medicaid applicant or recipient does not meet the work requirement and report it to PA DHS or report their exemption, they will not be eligible for or will lose Medicaid coverage.
These changes affect only Pennsylvanians who are eligible for Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act’s Medicaid expansion, which expanded coverage to adults ages 19-64 who are eligible based on their income, not based on disability or health status. Only adults who receive Medicaid because of Medicaid expansion will receive the letter outlining steps they must take to meet work requirements.
The first letter Medicaid recipients will receive is available online in English, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Russian, and Vietnamese. Automated phone calls will come from PA DHS 877-839-4782 and text messages will come from PA DHS 69217.
More information and samples of communications that Medicaid recipients will receive is available at dhs.pa.gov/MedicaidChanges and on the Medicaid Changes FAQ page.
Spread the Word
Important changes are coming to Medicaid (also known as Medical Assistance). Renewing Every Six Months: Some adults ages 19-64 will need to have their eligibility checked by completing a renewal every six months instead of every year. New Work Requirements: Some adults ages 19-64 (who do not have a child under age 14) must show that they are meeting work requirements OR that they are exempt from work requirements. This will be reviewed during application and renewals.
Changes are coming to Medicaid – also known as Medical Assistance in Pennsylvania – starting January 1, 2027! If you currently have Medicaid, watch your mailbox for a letter from PA DHS soon with more info!
Learn more and stay covered: dhs.pa.gov/MedicaidChanges
PA Human Services sends automated text messages with important information about your benefits to help you keep them. PA DHS will never ask you to provide personal information over text message! Text messages from PA DHS will come from the PA DHS 69217 number and recorded phone calls will come from the PA DHS 1-877-839-4782 number. If you got a text or recorded message about your benefits that doesn’t match these numbers, it is a scam! Report suspicious calls, emails, and texts to PA DHS at 1-844-DHS-TIPS (1-844-347-8477).