# CMS Delays Medicaid Work Enforcement

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is allowing states to delay enforcement of Medicaid work requirements through June 30, 2027, while continuing to assess whether beneficiaries meet them. States seeking the flexibility must request it in their mitigation plans by December 11, 2026. The six-month period is intended to give states time to test and improve eligibility systems, verification, notifications, and support processes before enforcement begins.

- States and their contractors should use the extension to assess whether current eligibility and verification systems, notification workflows, and beneficiary support processes are ready for enforcement.
- **Key deadline:** States requesting the delay must include it in mitigation plans by December 11, 2026 (27 days from November 14, 2026).
- For procurement teams, the extension may affect schedules and deliverables for Medicaid system testing and related operational support; the signal does not identify specific procurements or contract awards.

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

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

### Sources
- [CMS lets states punt Medicaid work requirements by six months - Nextgov/FCW](https://www.nextgov.com/digital-government/2026/11/cms-lets-states-punt-medicaid-work-requirements-six-months/417227) - Nextgov/FCW