Medicaid: News for Members

Featured stories

New federal Medicaid work requirement

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) passed July 4, 2025, added several new red-tape requirements, including new federal work requirements to Medicaid. Because of that, under federal law that Wisconsin is required to implement beginning in 2027, some adults enrolled in BadgerCare Plus will need to show that they work, go to school, or volunteer, in order to keep their coverage.

If you are enrolled in BadgerCare Plus and are between 19 and 64 years old, not pregnant, not disabled, and don’t have children under 19 living with you, then you may need to meet the federal work requirement. There are other reasons (work requirement exemptions) why you may not need to meet the work requirement.

What can I do now?

  • Watch your mail. We’ll send you a letter in August or September to explain what you need to know and what will happen next.
  • Use our screening tool to explore whether you may have to meet the new federal Medicaid work requirement.

Learn more and use the screening tool


Care4Kids is expanding

Care4Kids is part of Wisconsin Medicaid that offers full benefit coverage to children and youth who experience out-of-home care. Care4Kids is expanding its services and who can get them by opening up geographic boundaries, offering care coordination before enrollment, and extending eligibility to new populations.

Learn about the Care4Kids expansion


Latest news

Opt-in to get helpful text and email messages

Stay up to date—your way. Log in to ACCESS (ACCESS in Spanish) to select the types of messages you’d like to receive and by which communication methods. | August 5, 2026

Call 988 for mental health support

If you are having a suicidal, mental health, and/or substance use crisis, help is a phone call away. Call 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for free, confidential support. | February 2, 2026

If you get FoodShare, get FSET

FoodShare Employment and Training (FSET) is a free program for anyone 16 and older who gets FoodShare. Learn new skills, get access to training, and find a career path. | February 2, 2026

Get the facts about vaccines

Vaccines prevent serious illness, save lives, and protect communities. They teach the immune system to recognize and fight serious illnesses, like measles. | February 2, 2026

Current COVID-19 vaccine recommendation

We continue to recommend the current COVID-19 vaccine for anyone age 6 months or older. It's covered for all eligible Medicaid members. | July 15, 2025

Follow DHS on social media

DHS regularly posts on social media channels. Follow us to stay up to date on what happening with BadgerCare Plus and Medicaid, FoodShare, and more. | June 3, 2025


Wisconsin’s Medicaid programs

Wisconsin's Medicaid programs include BadgerCare Plus and many others that meet the needs of children, adults, pregnant people, older adults, and people with disabilities, including:

  • BadgerCare Plus
  • BadgerCare Plus Emergency Services
  • BadgerCare Plus Prenatal Services
  • Emergency Services Medicaid
  • Family Care
  • Family Care Partnership
  • Family Planning Only Services
  • Foster Care Medicaid
  • Institutional Medicaid
  • IRIS (Include, Respect, I Self-Direct)
  • Katie Beckett Medicaid
  • Medicaid Purchase Plan
  • Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)
  • SeniorCare
  • Supplemental Security Income Medicaid
  • Supplemental Security Income-Related Medicaid
  • Tuberculosis-Related Medicaid
  • Wisconsin Well Woman Medicaid

Most news items apply to all programs, but there may be some exceptions. You will be notified if your benefits are affected. Contact your agency if you have questions.

Glossary

 
Last revised August 7, 2026