Cancer Survivor Loses Medicaid Disability Coverage Amid New Work Requirements

State governments are working to determine who qualifies for exemptions from new Medicaid work requirements, and in the process, some families are finding that the criteria used to define a qualifying disability do not always account for serious illnesses such as cancer, according to a report by NPR Health.

The report describes the case of a cancer survivor who hoped to return to work after her treatment but instead lost her Medicaid coverage after state officials determined she no longer met the threshold for a disability exemption, NPR Health reported.

According to the report, the case illustrates a broader challenge facing states as they implement new Medicaid work requirements: distinguishing between individuals who are well enough to work and those whose past illnesses, ongoing health needs, or recovery status make employment difficult or unsafe.

NPR Health reported that families across the country are grappling with similar uncertainty, as the standards for what illnesses guarantee continued health coverage under a disability exemption vary and are still being clarified by state agencies.

The report did not specify which state the cancer survivor resides in or provide further details on the appeals process available to her, but noted that her situation reflects concerns raised by patient advocates about how work-requirement policies are being applied to people with serious medical histories.

NPR Health's reporting is part of ongoing coverage examining how states are rolling out Medicaid work requirements and the effects on beneficiaries with chronic or past serious illnesses.