# CMS Clarifies Medicaid Work Exemptions

CMS guidance allows states to narrow exemptions from new Medicaid work requirements. A national survey found that likely voters disapprove of how the administration is implementing Medicaid changes. The signal identifies no contract, solicitation, or funding opportunity; for procurement professionals, the near-term relevance is potential state-level changes to Medicaid eligibility and compliance operations as states apply the guidance.

- State Medicaid agencies and their contractors supporting eligibility and compliance operations may need to account for state implementation decisions affecting work-requirement exemptions.
- The signal identifies no specific implementation dates or procurement actions. Contractors can use subsequent CMS guidance and state decisions, as they emerge, to assess whether their existing support needs may change.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Healthcare
**Topics:** Regulatory Compliance
**Published:** October 13, 2026

### Government Entities
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)