Niagara Falls Memorial brings community partners together to prepare for Medicaid changes

Niagara Medicaid Collaborative focuses on education, resources & community support ahead of 2027 requirements

Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center press release & photos

Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center brought healthcare, insurance, workforce and nonprofit leaders together Wednesday to begin preparing the Niagara community for significant changes to Medicaid eligibility requirements scheduled to take effect in 2027.

The Niagara Medicaid Collaborative, hosted by Memorial, focused on the new federal Medicaid work and community engagement requirements and the role local organizations can play in helping Medicaid members understand and navigate the changes.

Under federal rules, beginning Jan. 1, 2027, certain adults enrolled in Medicaid will be required to demonstrate at least 80 hours per month of qualifying activities, which may include employment, community service, or participation in certain work programs. In Niagara County, it’s estimated more than 15,600 people could be impacted, although some may be able to prove they are exempt from the requirements.

“Changes of this magnitude require communication, coordination and collaboration across our community,” said Joseph A. Ruffolo, president and CEO of Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center. “By bringing organizations together now, we can begin identifying resources and building connections that will help Niagara County residents understand the new requirements and maintain access to the healthcare and services they need.”

The collaborative included representatives from Medicaid managed care plans, community organizations and workforce development agencies who discussed how the changes could affect Medicaid members and the organizations that serve them. Topics included the new work and community engagement requirements, the role of Medicaid managed care plans, volunteer opportunities that may help qualifying individuals meet community engagement requirements, workforce and training pathways, and methods for establishing and tracking volunteer opportunities. Participants included representatives from SNAPCAP, Univera, Highmark, Independent Health, MVP Health Plan, FeedMore WNY, WorkSource One, and Heart, Love & Soul.

The meeting also marked the beginning of a broader effort to strengthen coordination among organizations throughout Niagara County as implementation approaches.

“We want to build a network of support with community groups, church leaders – you name it – and make sure that as best as we can we protect Medicaid for families and individuals in Niagara County,” explained Sheila Kee, executive director of special initiatives at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center.

The Niagara Medicaid Collaborative plans to continue working with community partners in the months ahead to share information, identify resources and develop strategies to support Medicaid members throughout Niagara County.