Wisconsin

What You Need To Know

Wisconsin has set up Medicaid to safeguard the health of its residents. It provides health coverage to a large number of people who are unable to pay for their medical treatments. Wisconsin Medicaid aims to help people with disabilities and people who are above 65 years old. It achieves its objective by proving free or low-cost health coverage to people. The limited funds of Medicaid make it impossible for it to help everyone. Therefore, most deserving families receive the greatest benefits.

This joint federal and state program has been successful in providing for over one million residents. It is overlooked by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. The services included in the Medicaid plan are:

• Doctor visits
• Dental and vision care services
• Specialty care in case of a referral from the primary care doctor
• Family planning services
• Behavioral health and substance abuse treatment services.

The Medicaid plan is divided into a simple Medicaid program and a Medicaid Deductible Plan. The former is one that provides free health coverage to its qualified members. The latter requires people to meet their deductible requirements before the full benefits are provided.

Prescriptions are also provided under the Wisconsin Medicaid benefit program. However, the type and cost of the prescription drug can lead to certain changes in the package. These factors are dependent upon the plan the individuals are receiving.

Are You Eligible?

An eligibility criterion has been set to ensure that the neediest families are catered to first. Therefore, the program authority makes sure to see that the applicant fulfills the requirements. In order to enroll, the person must be

• A resident of the state of Wisconsin
• Above the age of 65; or blind or disabled.
• Characterized to have income and assets below the program limit
• A United States citizen or qualifying immigrant.

Wisconsin Medicaid has been set up to help those individuals who are unable to acquire health care. Therefore, their income is taken into account. To qualify for the program, the annual earnings of the applicant before tax deductions should be in line with guidelines. The amount should not surpass the figures listed below. The table takes into account both the members of the household as well as income level.

An additional amount of $5,878 should be added if the household has more than eight members. This amount is on a per-person basis. Accurate guidelines can be followed by people who keep in touch with their managing agency. These agencies prove to be helpful in providing the necessary guidance and assistance.

There are three different Medicaid Long-term care programs available for the elderly of Wisconsin. Their eligibility differs at certain points. The differentiated plans help to ensure that each and every individual receives treatment that is best suited to their needs. These programs include:

1. Institutional / Nursing Home Medicaid. This is an entitled program only provided in nursing homes.
2. Medicaid Waivers / Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS). This program has a limited number of participants. Among the benefits, they enjoy there is home adult day care, adult family home or in assisted living.
3. Regular Medicaid / Elderly, Blind, or Disabled. This is an entitled program that has benefits that are availed in-home or adult daycare.

How To Apply

The application process for Wisconsin Medicaid can be approached in various ways. This allows the residents to choose their favored method so they feel comfortable whilst applying. They can gain access to the application through the online portal on Wisconsin.gov Access. You can also get the application or through the Forward Health Program Resources Page or by calling their telephone number. Once you have the form, you will be expected to complete the Wisconsin Medicaid Application Packet and mail it. The number that can be contacted for these purposes is:

1-800-362-3002

The Medicaid Application requires the applicant to list certain information. This helps to determine their eligibility. The data required includes information about household members. This means their names, birth dates, and social security numbers. It also requires information about the household’s monthly income and assets. Through the help of these, they verify whether the income is in line with the guidelines outlined or not.

For Further Information

Wisconsin Medicaid has set up its webpage to give detailed information about the program and its application. This allows interested individuals to make informed decisions regarding the whole process.

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What You Need To Know

Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) has been established to provide low-income families and their children with proper healthcare. These families have an income that is too high to qualify for Medicaid. However, it is not high enough for private coverage. CHIP provides them with the medical services they require. It has successfully helped almost eight million children and families.

In Wisconsin, the CHIP program is known as the BadgerCare Plus program. It covers both children and pregnant women. The Badger Plus program achieves its goal but collaborating with the state Medicaid program. The benefits enjoyed by the qualified members of this benefit program include:

• Emergency services
• Routine check-ups
• Laboratory and X-ray services
• Inpatient and outpatient hospital care
• Immunizations
• Doctor visits
• Dental and vision care
• Prescriptions

These benefits of BadgerCare Plus can be enjoyed by various people in Wisconsin. Along with children and pregnant women, adults can also apply for it. These adults must be between the ages of 18 and 25 who spent their childhood in foster care. An eligible individual will be able to have BadgerCare Plus for 12 months. This is valid if there are no changes in his or her eligibility factors. If the person wishes to maintain this health coverage after the 12-month period, renewal is vital. A notice about renewing the benefits is sent one month before the end.

Are You Eligible?

BadgerCare Plus ensures that children below the age of 19 are provided for concerning their healthcare. They make sure the most deserving individuals receive these benefits by listing out an eligibility criterion. This states that the child must be:

• A U.S. national, citizen, legal alien or permanent resident.
• Characterized to have low income
• A resident of the state of Wisconsin

This benefit program provides for those families whose income level falls at a middle ground between Medicaid and private coverage. This means that the annual household income, before any tax deductions of the applicant must be considered. It should be in line with the guidelines put forward by the authorities involved in the program. Therefore, the earnings of the individual must either be less than or equal to the below-mentioned amounts. These figures have been decided by keeping both the household size and income level in mind.

There may be more than eight residents in a household. An additional amount of $13,260 is added per extra person in these cases. It is advised that interested individuals check in with their managing agencies. This allows them to gain the assistance they require as well as keep them up-to-date with the appropriate guidelines.

A pre-screening tool is available for the purposes of potentially eligible people. They can make use of the tool through the website and determine their chances. However, it should be kept in mind that the tool is not the final application. Therefore, it should not be treated as such. It is also encouraged that a person applies for the program even if the tool provides negative results.

How To Apply

The Wisconsin.gov Access portal has been set up to make it easier for Wisconsin residents to apply for the program. They can start up their application process from the comfort of their home. Additional information regarding the application is also present on the website. It caters to any queries or confusion the person may have. The How to Apply also outlines the location of service centers near you. It enables interested individuals to visit the office and gain the assistance they require.

Any applicant of BadgerCare Plus must have certain documents ready. They are required for verification purposes and determine the eligibility of the person. Therefore, the person applying must have the following information ready:

• Social Security number
• Date of birth
• Marital status
• Address
• S. Citizenship or immigration status
• Job information such as the name, address and phone number of employer.
• Job income
• Other sources of income. This can be Social Security or unemployment compensation.
• Names and relations of people in the household
• Health insurance information that you may have through your employer.

For Further Information

The BadgerCare Plus page has been set up to clarify any confusion people may have. It has in-depth information about the benefits program which can prove helpful for interested individuals. Additional details are even available on the Medicaid & CHIP Policies page. By entering Wisconsin in the state selection, you can find the appropriate information.

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