Insurers Cut Home Care for Medically Complex Kids
A Concord Monitor investigation reports New Hampshire families are losing nursing hours that keep medically complex children at home.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Child Care
On November 9, 2026, the Concord Monitor published an investigation into insurers cutting home care hours for medically complex children in New Hampshire. The reductions followed federal Medicaid restrictions and the end of pandemic-era recertifications.
Why it matters
Families who lose home nursing or LNA hours face higher out-of-pocket costs, reduced household earnings, and the risk of institutionalization. Reinstated hours are only temporary extensions, leaving families uncertain about future care.
New Hampshire now requires 30 days' advance notice before insurers reduce care hours, according to the investigation. In some cases, families lose up to half of their earnings when home care hours are cut.
The players
Concord Monitor
A New Hampshire daily newspaper based in Concord that published the investigation into the care-hour reductions.
The details
Insurers eliminated home care hours for medically complex children without explanation, prompting state intervention. The cuts were triggered by Medicaid restrictions in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1) and the end of pandemic-era recertifications.
Timeline
Pandemic-era recertifications ended, after which insurers implemented cost controls.
November 9, 2026: Concord Monitor published its Fragile Futures investigation.
Policy Ripple
The reductions are a direct downstream effect of the Medicaid restrictions in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1). They show how federal changes to Medicaid can reach home-based family care in New Hampshire through private insurers.
Families whose children lose home nursing or LNA hours may need to cover more medical costs themselves or consider institutional care. Parents should ask their insurer about advance notice and review rights if their child's care hours are reduced.
The takeaway
Families of medically complex children in New Hampshire should document their current care hours and ask insurers for written notice before any reduction takes effect. The state's 30-day notice requirement gives families time to appeal.
Further reading
For more on this topic, see Child Care coverage across New Hampshire.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Concord Monitor.
