FAQs

Medicaid is changing due to two key pieces of legislation: New Hampshire's 2026-27 State Budget and the federal "One Big Beautiful Bill Act." These state and federal policy changes are introducing new requirements and costs to Medicaid programs in New Hampshire.

Medicaid is changing several rules, but not all at once. Each new rule - like charging monthly fees or requiring people to work or do community service - will start on a different date. To find out when each specific change begins, check the Medicaid changes page and timeline.

Yes, you are still covered by Medicaid right now. These changes have not yet taken effect, so your current coverage continues as usual. When the changes are implemented, you'll receive advanced notice and information about any new requirements or costs that may apply to your specific situation.

The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is responsible for implementing and administering these Medicaid changes. DHHS should provide information and support to help enrollees understand and comply with the new requirements.

You can contact the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (NH DHHS) through:

• The NH EASY online portal for benefits

• Your local DHHS District Office

• The main DHHS customer service line by calling 1-844-ASK-DHHS (1-844-275-3447)

All contact information can be found on the DHHS Medicaid website.

The monthly premiums only apply to a small group of folks on Medicaid:

• Individuals enrolled in the Granite Advantage Health Care Program (Medicaid Expansion) making 100% of the federal poverty line and above

• Families with children enrolled in the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) making at least 255% of the federal poverty line

Around 10% of families with children enrolled in CHIP are expected to have to pay the premium, and close to 20% of adults enrolled in the Granite Advantage Health Care Program.

If you are enrolled in any other Medicaid program, like traditional Medicaid programs, you should NOT have to pay premiums. Other Medicaid programs can be found on this page.

You can find a federal poverty level calculator to input your income (weekly, monthly, or yearly) and your household size to determine your FPL at povertylevelcalculator.com.

Premiums aren't expected to go in effect until July 1, 2026, so you will not be subjected to those costs until then. You should also be notified by the state if premiums will apply to you.

For individuals in the Granite Advantage Health Care Program (Medicaid expansion), with higher incomes, monthly premiums are expected to cost:

• $60 for a household of one

• $80 for a household of two

• $90 for a household of three

• $100 for a household of four or more

For families in the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), with higher incomes, monthly premiums are expected to cost:

• $190 for a household of two

• $230 for a household of three

• $270 for a household of four or more

For both of these groups, copays for prescription drugs will increase from $2 to $4.

Premiums aren't expected to go in effect until July 1, 2026, so you will not be subjected to those costs until then. You should also be notified by the state if premiums will apply to you.

The NH Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) will need to determine how to collect the premiums. It is not yet stated what will happen if you miss a premium payment. NH Medicaid Matters will advocate to add protections that ensure Granite Staters don't lose their coverage. Premiums aren't expected to go into effect until July 1, 2026, so DHHS has time to develop the process and notify affected individuals and families.

The federal government will provide detailed guidelines by the end of 2025 on what activities should qualify as "work," but current proposals go beyond traditional regular employment and will likely include community service and enrollment in school or training programs.

Yes, there are some exemptions from work and community engagement requirements, but it’s important to note that even those who qualify for an exemption will need to report their status to the state.

The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) will be working with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid to create exemptions that include people who are Medically Frail or have special medical needs. This covers individuals who are blind, have developmental, intellectual, or physical disabilities, substance use disorders, or “disabling mental disorders.” You would also be exempt if you have a disorder that impairs one or more "Activities of Daily Living" (like bathing, dressing, or eating) or if you have a serious and complex medical condition. There are also some exemptions for short-term hardship events.

Additionally, the federal government has proposed exemptions for other situations including parents or caregivers of children under 13 or children with disabilities, pregnant women and new mothers, young adults who aged out of foster care, veterans with disabilities, and individuals in substance use treatment programs.

The new federal law will require people to work or participate in other qualifying activities for at least 80 hours per month, which is about 20 hours per week. The new state law may require Medicaid expansion individuals to work or engage in other approved activities for at least 100 hours each month (about 25 hours per week). New Hamsphire still needs to determine its rules for work requirements and exemptions based on both the federal and state-level laws.

The specific rules for seasonal and irregular workers are still being determined. The federal government must provide guidance to New Hampshire on how to implement work requirements by the end of 2025. Additionally, New Hampshire's state legislature may have the authority to establish its own specific rules for how seasonal and irregular workers can meet work requirements. NH Medicaid Matters will provide updates as they become available.

Again, specific policies for people who lose their jobs are still being developed. Many of the work requirement details are awaiting federal guidance that must be issued by the end of 2025. NH Medicaid Matters will advocate to add protections into New Hampshire's law to ensure people don't lose their coverage due to job loss or other reasons.