MassHealth to require work or education activity for many adults starting January 2027

MassHealth told a Brockton audience that work-and-education requirements for many non‑disabled adults 19–64 will begin with renewals in January 2027. The state framed the requirement as multiple pathways to compliance: 80 hours of work, volunteer activity or participation in an approved program in a month, or enrollment at least half‑time in an educational program. "You can either work or volunteer 80 or more hours in a month," MassHealth COO Elizabeth Tang said.

Officials emphasized several exemptions: pregnancy; being a parent, guardian or caregiver of a child under 14 or a person with a disability; meeting a definition of medical frailty; enrollment in substance use disorder treatment; or already being subject to work requirements through DTA or SNAP. For 2027, compliance and exemptions will generally rely on member self-attestation at renewal; the state expects to request additional information only when data cannot confirm eligibility. Tang said the state will use claims and other administrative data to auto-exempt or auto-verify when possible to reduce paperwork.