BadgerCare Plus and Medicaid Phone Applications Available at Three Facilities Operated by DHS Starting September 29

Wisconsin Department of Health Services

ForwardHealth Community Partners

ForwardHealth

Updates for local agencies, community-based organizations, and providers who provide assistance to members of Wisconsin's health and nutrition public assistance programs.


BadgerCare Plus and Medicaid Phone Applications Available at Three Facilities Operated by DHS Starting September 29

In many cases, BadgerCare Plus and Medicaid eligibility ends when an adult is admitted to an institution for mental disease (IMD). If these members want to get BadgerCare Plus or Medicaid health care benefits after leaving the IMD they must reapply for them upon discharge from the facility.

Starting September 29, a new phone application process will be available for people who are leaving three facilities operated by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS):

  • Mendota Mental Health Institute (MMHI)
  • Winnebago Mental Health Institute (WMHI)
  • Sand Ridge Secure Treatment Center (SRSTC)

Residents of these three facilities, who have a confirmed discharge date, can apply for health care benefits by calling their agency on or after the 20th day of the month prior to the month they will be discharged. Their application must be processed by an agency at the time of the initial call and the applicant can sign their application over the phone.

If the applicant meets the program rules for BadgerCare Plus or Medicaid, they will have these health care benefits starting on the first day of the month when they are leaving the facility. They can also get a new or replacement ForwardHealth card mailed to them. More information about ForwardHealth cards can be found on the DHS website.

DHS understands that some people may not know where they will be living after they are discharged from a facility or may move around before they have a permanent address. We encourage all applicants and members to report address changes as soon as possible to their agency or in ACCESS. Applicants can also use their local agency’s address to get mail.