Nebraska Work Rules Deny 1,090 Medicaid Applications, Renewals

Nebraska’s early rollout of Medicaid work requirements has left recipients and advocates reporting confusion, administrative problems and loss of coverage. State data show 1,090 applications and renewals were denied from May through August, with 956 denials following recipients’ failure to respond to notices; advocates say unclear eligibility information and difficulty getting help may be contributing. The rules require most adults ages 19 to 64 to document 80 hours a month of work or another qualifying activity, unless exempt. At a community town hall, recipients described trouble navigating the system and warned that losing Medicaid can disrupt essential treatment. One Omaha man with kidney cancer, diabetes and other serious conditions said he lost coverage, canceled a CT scan and delayed a cancer appointment after being told he had not met the work requirement. Nebraska advocates are urging the state to improve its systems and communications as it enforces the rules ahead of most other states.