South Dakota announces work requirement program for Medicaid enrollees

South Dakota has joined the ranks of other states seeking to impose work requirements on some Medicaid beneficiaries. The SD Department of Social Services issued a public notice outlining the Career Connector program, a pilot project that will operate in Minnehaha and Pennington Counties.

Gov. Dennis Daugaard announced during his State of the State address in January his intention to pilot a work requirement program for some Medicaid enrollees in the stateā€™s two largest counties. As the governor indicated during his speech, the Career Connector program incorporates skills training and a requirement that individuals must complete certain milestones each month or work 80 hours or more a month.

A full description of the Career Connector program can be read here. The 30-day public comment period ends June 19. Comments can be submitted to: Division of Medical Services, Department of Social Services, 700 Governors Drive, Pierre, SD 57501.