Unwinding Partner Toolkit
What's new on this page
FoodShare members can apply for replacement benefits if they lost food during a power outage caused by recent storms. Social media post available in English, Spanish, and Hmong. | April 8, 2024
New content for young adults in the Kids and families section! Check out the new flyer, posters, and social media posts with messaging on how young adults turning 19 can get health care coverage once they age out of coverage under their family's BadgerCare Plus plan. | February 28, 2024
Children can now keep their BadgerCare Plus and other Wisconsin Medicaid coverage for a full year, even if their family’s situation changes. See the Kids and families section for a new fact sheet and social media posts. | February 19, 2024
Keeping members covered
Unwinding is the term used by our federal partners to describe the steps for state Medicaid agencies to replace temporary policies established during the COVID-19 emergency with regular eligibility, enrollment, and benefits management processes. Wisconsin’s Unwinding goals include:
- Implementing a successful return to routine operations for our programs
- Keeping Wisconsinites covered, whether through a state program, insurance from an employer, or a plan from HealthCare.gov
Using the toolkit
This toolkit is designed to give you communication tools to help members navigate the Unwinding process successfully. We encourage you to download and customize the materials and share our social media posts to help spread key messages.
Explore our partner toolkit for resources available in DHS versions and customizable versions. If you have challenges with customization or have other questions about toolkit materials, email DHSDMSCommunications@wi.gov.
Follow DHS on social media and share our posts. Current social media posts are linked within each theme below for your convenience.
Sign up for our Unwinding email list to stay informed about updates to the toolkit.
Update your address
Now is the time for members to update their address, mobile phone number, and email address so that we can contact them with important information about their benefits.
DHS Update Your Account Outreach Card, P-03218 (All versions)
Available for download in Amharic, Arabic, Burmese, Dari, English, Farsi, French, Hindi, Hmong, Indonesian, Karen, Malay, Pashto, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Swahili, Thai, Ukrainian, and Urdu.
Renewals are back
Renewals for BadgerCare Plus and Wisconsin Medicaid programs have begun again after having been suspended for the past three years. Members should make sure they renew at the just right time—not too early or too late. They can visit our renewal webpage for more information.
To help members quickly find information about Wisconsin Medicaid health care renewals, please add the following hashtags to your social media posts: #BadgerCarePlus, #WIMedicaid, #ForwardHealth, #Unwinding, #FoodShare.
Renewal Outreach Card, P-03402 (All versions)
Available for download in Amharic, Arabic, Burmese, Dari, English, Farsi, French, Hindi, Hmong, Indonesian, Karen, Malay, Pashto, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Swahili, Thai, Ukrainian, and Urdu.
Medicaid - Enrollment Renewal Fact Sheet, P-10049 (All versions)
Available for download in Amharic, Arabic, Burmese, Dari, English, Farsi, French, Hindi, Hmong, Indonesian, Karen, Malay, Pashto, Rundi (Kirundi), Russian, Somali, Spanish, Swahili, Thai, Ukrainian, and Urdu.
Right-click on the QR code to save it as an image and add it to materials to help members easily navigate to the DHS Medicaid News for Members webpage.
Important: Please do not add a border around the outside of the QR code. Doing so can interfere with the "quiet zone." The quiet zone is the empty white border around the outside of a QR code. Without this border, a QR reader will not be able to determine what is and is not contained within the QR code (due to interference from outside elements).
Each post plays as a video or a "reel" and contains English, Spanish, and Hmong translations.
#BadgerCarePlus and Wisconsin #Medicaid members:
Miembros de BadgerCare Plus y Medicaid de Wisconsin:
BadgerCare Plus thiab Wisconsin Medicaid cov tswv cuab:
✔️ https://t.co/def5XtRvJy
✔️ https://t.co/TSVo6Y0AeD pic.twitter.com/rfwT1vHrlA— WIDeptHealthServices (@DHSWI) April 18, 2024
Each Instagram post contains English, Spanish, and Hmong translations.
Kids and families
The resources below contain the following messaging for kids and families:
- Adults with children are encouraged to renew their health care, even if they think they no longer qualify--their kids still might.
- Information on what Katie Beckett Medicaid members can expect during their renewal time.
- Information on how to get health care coverage for young adults turning 19 who will no longer be covered under their family's BadgerCare Plus plan.
Download:
- P-03498a (All versions)
- P-03498a (PDF) English
- P-03498ah (PDF) Hmong
- P-03498as (PDF) Spanish
Health Care Renewals for Adults with Children, P-03498 (All versions)
Available for download in:
- English
- Hmong
- Spanish
Katie Beckett Renewal Flyer for Members, P-03553 (All versions)
Available for download in:
- English
- Hmong
- Spanish
BadgerCare Plus and Wisconsin Medicaid - Turning 19? Get covered., P-03579 (All versions)
Available for download in:
- English
- Hmong
- Spanish
12-Months Continuous Coverage for Children, P-03555 (All versions)
Available for download in:
- English
- Spanish
- Hmong
Download (8.5 x 11):
Download (8.5 x 11):
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Download (8.5 x 11):
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Download (8.5 x 11):
Download (8.5 x 11):
Click on the links to share to your own social media accounts. Each post plays as a video or a "reel" and contains English, Spanish, and Hmong translations.
FoodShare
Older Adults
These renewal resources have been created with older adults in mind and include features such as larger text and renewal instructions tailored to this specific audience.
Medicaid Purchase Plan (MAPP) and Health and Employment Counseling (HEC)
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services temporarily changed program rules to help protect the health and safety of Medicaid Purchase Plan (MAPP) members. Now that the COVID-19 pandemic has ended, some of these temporary policies are ending. We've updated our materials to reflect the January 1, 2024 reinstatement of the MAPP work requirement and upcoming changes to MAPP premium payments.
Wisconsin Medicaid Purchase Plan (MAPP) Consumer Guide, P-00181 (All versions)
Available for download in:
- English
- Hmong
- Spanish
Wisconsin Medicaid Purchase Plan (MAPP) Fact Sheet, P-10071 (All versions)
Available for download in:
- English
- Hmong
- Spanish
Wisconsin Medicaid Purchase Plan (MAPP) Overview and Eligibility Flyer, P-03554 (All versions)
Available for download in:
- English
- Hmong
- Spanish
Health and Employment Counseling (HEC) Consumer Guide, P-20220a (All versions)
Available for download in:
- English
- Hmong
- Spanish
You still have coverage
We've heard from partners that some members are concerned they may have lost their benefits. Members need to know they still have coverage and shouldn't delay needed medical care.
BadgerCare Plus - Use Your Benefits to Stay Healthy, P-03175a (All versions)
Available for download in Amharic, Arabic, Burmese, Dari, English, Farsi, French, Hindi, Hmong, Indonesian, Karen, Malay, Pashto, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Swahili, Thai, Ukrainian, and Urdu.
Get ACCESS and MyACCESS
ACCESS is Wisconsin's secure online web portal where people can see if they qualify for programs and apply for benefits. Members can go to access.wi.gov or use the companion MyACCESS smartphone app to manage their benefits.
ACCESS Poster
Download:
ACCESS Poster Tear-Off Sheet
MyACCESS QR Code
Right-click on the QR code to save it as an image and add it to materials to help members download the MyACCESS app from their mobile device's app store.
Important: Please do not add a border around the outside of the QR code. Doing so can interfere with the "quiet zone." The quiet zone is the empty white border around the outside of a QR code. Without this border, a QR reader will not be able to determine what is and is not contained within the QR code (due to interference from outside elements).
MyACCESS App Instructions
MyACCESS App Flyer
MyACCESS App Poster
MyACCESS App Wallet Card
MyACCESS App Outreach Card
Texts and emails from DHS
In late 2022, DHS added text and emails to our communication channels.
Download:
Medical expense deductions
Members who are elderly, blind, or have a disability can submit certain medical expenses they pay for out-of-pocket and potentially increase their FoodShare monthly benefits.
Medical Expense Deductions and How They Impact FoodShare Benefits, P-03315B (All versions)
Available for download in:
- English
- Hmong
- Spanish
FoodShare Medical Expense Flyer, P-03315 (All versions)
Available for download in Amharic, Arabic, Burmese, Dari, English, Farsi, French, Hindi, Hmong, Indonesian, Karen, Malay, Pashto, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Swahili, Thai, Ukrainian, and Urdu.
FoodShare Medical Expense Poster, P-03315A (All versions)
Available for download in Amharic, Arabic, Burmese, Dari, English, Farsi, French, Hindi, Hmong, Indonesian, Karen, Malay, Pashto, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Swahili, Thai, Ukrainian, and Urdu.
Medicare enrollment opportunities
This information outlines options for members looking to enroll in Medicare.
This information reminds members who may be eligible for Medicare about their special opportunity to enroll in or change Medicare plans, should they no longer meet the rules for Medicaid.
How to use: You can copy and paste articles provided here for distribution in a newsletter or email messaging.
Special Enrollment Details for Members Whose Medicaid Coverage Is Ending
Medicaid Members: Are you an older adult or an adult with a disability?
Since March 2020, Medicaid has been keeping everyone enrolled. Normal enrollment rules will start again soon. When that happens, you will get a letter from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services asking you to update your information and complete a renewal. Your health insurance could end if you no longer meet the rules for Medicaid.
If your Medicaid benefits end, you may be able to get Medicare if you:
- Are age 65 or older
- Have a qualifying disability
- Have been getting disability benefits for two years
Special Enrollment Timing
After Medicaid ends, you have six months to enroll in Medicare. To get started, call Social Security at 800-772-1213 (TTY 800-325-0778) or visit ssa.gov/medicare/sign-up.
If you already have Medicare and your Medicaid benefits end, you will have a limited time to change your Medicare plan:
- Three months for a Medicare Advantage health plan (Part C)
- Three months for a Medicare Part D drug plan
- Two months for Medicare Supplemental Insurance (Medigap), during which you cannot be denied coverage based on your health
Are you worried about Medicare late enrollment fees? You won’t have late enrollment fees if you enroll in Medicare within six months after your Medicaid ends. You may have late enrollment fees in the future if you miss this enrollment opportunity or go without drug coverage.
Free, expert help is available. If you have questions about Medicare, including how to pay for it, a benefits counselor can help. Contact the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) by calling:
- Wisconsin’s Medigap Helpline: 800-242-1060
- Disability Rights Wisconsin Part D Helpline: 800-926-4862
- Your local aging and disability resource center (ADRC)
Medicare Special Enrollment Period Flyer, P-03440 (All versions)
Available for download in:
- English
- Hmong
- Spanish
Medicare Special Enrollment Period Outreach Card, P-03439 (All versions)
Available for download in:
- English
- Hmong
- Spanish