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Updates for local agencies, community-based organizations, and providers who provide assistance to members of Wisconsin's health and nutrition public assistance programs.
No Premiums for BadgerCare Plus Parents and Caretakers Starting January 1, 2019
Effective January 1, 2019, BadgerCare Plus parents and caretakers currently enrolled in an extension no longer have to pay premiums for their BadgerCare Plus benefits. For more about what an extension is, see below. Currently, these extension members are either paying a monthly premium or were told they may need to pay a premium in the future.
There are no other changes to benefits and health care coverage for BadgerCare Plus extension members.
This policy change has two additional effects:
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Member with a child who has BadgerCare Plus benefits: Currently, if a parent or caretaker in BadgerCare Plus is required to pay a premium, then their child who is not in an extension is exempt from paying a premium. Effective January 1, 2019, children will no longer be exempt from paying a premium if one is owed. Households with income higher than 201 percent of the federal poverty level will be required to pay the child’s premium for the child to be eligible for BadgerCare Plus (unless the child is exempt for another reason, like being under age 1 or being a tribal member).
Note: Most children are in the extension with their parent or caretaker and do not owe premiums when they are eligible under an extension, so this change will only apply to a small number of families.
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Possible re-enrollment for members who did not pay premiums: Parents and caretakers who were eligible for an extension for their BadgerCare Plus benefits but did not pay required premiums may be able to re-enroll in BadgerCare Plus starting on January 1, 2019, provided that their extensions have not yet expired and all other requirements are met.
- The member will not need to pay old premiums if they enroll for coverage in 2019.
- The member may be able to get up to three months of health care coverage for 2018 but would have to pay the overdue premiums for months in 2018.
- Members interested in re-enrolling must contact their agency.
Impacted members will be receiving letters with information about premiums and possible re-enrollment at the end of November.
More About BadgerCare Plus Extensions
Under an extension, full BadgerCare Plus health care coverage is provided to a member who is a parent or caretaker for a period of 12 months if their household income went over 100 percent of the federal poverty level because of an increase in earned income. If a member’s income went over 100 percent of the federal poverty level because of an increase in spousal support or alimony, the extension is available for four months.
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