Montana Medicaid Community Engagement Resource Website Launch

MT Dept of Public Health News

Published March 31st, 2026

Detected April 6th, 2026

Summary

DPHHS launched a new website at medicaidchanges.mt.gov to help Montana Medicaid Expansion members understand upcoming community engagement requirements effective July 1, 2026. Under H.R. 1 (enacted July 4, 2025), non-exempt adults aged 19-64 must complete 80 hours of qualifying activities per month to maintain coverage. DPHHS is conducting outreach via mail to affected members.

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What changed

Montana DPHHS has created a centralized resource website for Medicaid members to understand new community engagement requirements mandated under H.R. 1 and the state's Medicaid Expansion reauthorization. Beginning July 1, 2026, non-exempt adults aged 19-64 enrolled in Medicaid Expansion must document 80 hours monthly of employment, community service, workforce training, apprenticeships, or education. The website details qualifying activities and exemptions including American Indians/Alaska Natives, parents of young children, pregnant individuals, the medically frail, and veterans with total disabilities.

Medicaid members should verify their contact information at apply.mt.gov to receive upcoming mail communications and determine if they qualify for an exemption. Healthcare providers administering Medicaid Expansion coverage should inform patients of these upcoming requirements and direct them to medicaidchanges.mt.gov for complete information. DPHHS will continue updating the website as additional federal guidance becomes available.

What to do next

Verify contact information at apply.mt.gov to ensure receipt of mail communications about Medicaid changes
Review exemption criteria at medicaidchanges.mt.gov to determine eligibility for the 80-hour requirement
Inform Medicaid Expansion patients of upcoming community engagement requirements and direct them to the new resource website

Source document (simplified)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: March 31 2026

Contact:
Jon Ebelt, Communications Director,
DPHHS, (406) 444-0936, (406) 461-3757
jebelt@mt.gov

DPHHS Launches New Online Resource for Medicaid Community Engagement Requirements

HELENA, MT — The Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) today announced the launch of a new, comprehensive website designed to help Montanans navigate upcoming changes to the state’s Medicaid program.

Following the Montana Legislature’s reauthorization of the Medicaid Expansion program and congressional passage of H.R. 1, a federal law that was enacted on July 4, 2025, DPHHS is preparing to implement new community engagement requirements for certain Medicaid Expansion participants beginning July 1, 2026.

The new website serves as a central hub for information, providing clarity on how these changes affect current and future Medicaid members.

“Our priority is to ensure that Montanans covered by Medicaid Expansion have the information they need to make decisions about their health care,” DPHHS Director Charlie Brereton said. “This new website serves as a single source of truth for our members as we begin requiring them to engage in work or work-related activities to be eligible for health coverage.”

Key Changes Coming July 2026

Under the new federal law, non-exempt adults aged 19–64 who receive coverage through the Medicaid Expansion program will be required to complete 80 hours of community engagement activities per month to remain eligible for coverage.

These activities include employment, community service, workforce training or state-sponsored work readiness programs, internships or registered apprenticeships, and educational programs (college or vocational training).

DPHHS officials emphasize that these new requirements for able-bodied adults are intended to encourage self-sufficiency, drive workforce participation, and reduce reliance on public assistance programs.

Exempted Populations

DPHHS officials emphasize that these requirements for able-bodied adults are intended to encourage self-sufficiency, drive workforce participation, and reduce reliance on public assistance programs.

The website details exemptions for individuals who may be unable to meet the 80-hour work requirement. Some, but not all, of the exemptions include:

American Indian/Alaska Natives
Adults aged 65 or older
Parents or caregivers of dependent children under age 13
Parents or caregivers of individuals with disabilities
Pregnant and postpartum individuals (up to 12 months)
Individuals eligible for Medicare
Those who are medically frail
Veterans with disabilities rated as total
Individuals currently or recently incarcerated DPHHS to Conduct Outreach to Medicaid Members

DPHHS is reaching out to all Medicaid members via mail to explain the new community engagement requirements. To avoid missing critical communications with upcoming deadlines, members are encouraged to verify their contact information at apply.mt.gov.

For more information on community engagement requirements and exemptions, visit medicaidchanges.mt.gov. DPHHS will continue to update the website as new federal guidance becomes available.