Troy residents enrolled in the Healthy Michigan Plan may face new work requirements beginning Jan. 1, 2027. The state has launched an online tool to help them figure out what they need to do.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced the Michigan Work and Exemptions Screening Tool, or MI WEST, on Oct. 22. The tool walks users through a series of questions to identify whether they may qualify for an exemption, already meet the requirements or need to take additional steps.

MI WEST is an informational guide, not an official application, renewal or eligibility determination. It does not save or send user information to the state, according to the tool's disclosure page.

The work requirements stem from federal legislation known as H.R. 1, according to an MDHHS press release. They apply to certain Healthy Michigan Plan members ages 19 to 64.

About 625,000 Michigan residents are enrolled in HMP, the state said.

"We are committed to helping beneficiaries understand and comply with these new rules so we can keep as many eligible Michiganders covered as possible," Amy Epkey, acting MDHHS director, said in the press release.

Who is exempt

Several groups are excused from the new requirements, according to the state's work-requirements page. They include parents or caregivers of a child age 13 or under, people who are pregnant or recently gave birth, people with certain medical conditions or disabilities, disabled veterans and those in treatment for a substance use disorder.

People already subject to work requirements for food assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or meeting work requirements for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) also qualify for an exemption.

Other exemptions include certain caregivers of people with disabilities, former foster youth and people experiencing qualifying temporary hardships.

How to comply

Enrollees who are not exempt can satisfy the requirement in one of two ways, according to MDHHS.

They can earn at least $580 in one month during their review period. That amount is a work-requirement threshold, not an income limit for Medicaid eligibility.

Or they can complete at least 80 hours of approved activities in one month. Approved activities include paid or unpaid employment, volunteering, attending school or parti