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Health Care Renewals

Complete your renewal to keep your benefits

May health care renewals - Renew by May 16, 2024. Log in at access.wi.gov

When you first apply for BadgerCare Plus or another Wisconsin Medicaid program, you tell us about things like your household, income, assets, and insurance. To see if you can keep your benefits, we need to check that information and get any updates every year. This process is called a renewal.

When do I renew? 

  • Find your renewal month
  • See the "just right" time for you to renew
  • Sign up to get email reminders when it's time for you to act

 Go to the renewal status page

 

What to expect at renewal time

  • About two months before your renewal is due, we’ll see if we have updated information on file for you through other state programs. If we do and you still meet the rules for getting benefits, we’ll send you a letter letting you know your benefits will be renewed. This is called an “administrative renewal.”
  • If we don’t have enough information on file, we’ll mail you a renewal packet about two weeks before your renewal month. It tells you what you need to do and when to submit. Taking action as soon as you get your renewal packet is recommended in case more information is needed.
  • You will need to update the information we have on file for you, if necessary. This may include your household details, income, assets, and insurance. We may ask you to submit proof of your answers.
  • If you are renewing FoodShare benefits at the same time, you may not need to interview with a worker for that program. Find more information on the FoodShare News and Updates webpage.
  • Your local agency will follow up if they need more information. When they have finished looking at your renewal, you will get a letter that tells you if your benefits are staying the same or if something is changing.
  • If you do not renew during your renewal month, your benefits will end. During the following three months, you can do a late renewal for BadgerCare Plus and most Wisconsin Medicaid programs. If you do a late renewal, however, you might have a gap in coverage. Starting four months after your renewal month, you will have to reapply.

Download the Wisconsin Medicaid - Enrollment Renewal Fact Sheet, P-10049 

How do I do my renewal?

The easiest way is through your ACCESS account. If you don't have an ACCESS account, you can create one now. Once you've logged in, look for the alert that says “Benefit Renewals Due For” and click the program name to get started. You can renew benefits for BadgerCare Plus and Family Planning Only Services online, but not Caretaker Supplement.

Complete my renewal online

For all programs, you can also renew by mail. Simply review, make changes, and return the prefilled renewal packet we sent you in the mail.

If you don’t have your renewal packet, you can still renew by mail with a little extra work. Download and fill out the form below for your specific program. Although these forms are usually for new applications, you can also use them for your renewal if needed.

You can also renew by phone or in person. Contact your local agency to make an appointment.

Questions and answers

When you first applied for benefits, you gave the state details about things like your household, income, and insurance. To see if you can keep your benefits, you need to update that information every year. This process is called a renewal.

Each member has been assigned a renewal date between June 2023 and May 2024. To find yours:

  • Check the letter mailed to you in March from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
  • Log in to your ACCESS account or use the MyACCESS app. If you don't have an account, create one on ACCESS to see your benefits information anytime, anywhere.

About two weeks before your renewal month, we'll send you a renewal packet in the mail. This packet will tell you what information you need to confirm or update so we can see if you still qualify for your program. A digital version of the packet will also be in your ACCESS account.

Renew as soon as you get your renewal packet, but not before. Under federal guidelines, you can keep your benefits until your next renewal. Once you get your packet in the mail or in your ACCESS account, complete your renewal right away to avoid delays or a gap in coverage.

If you don't renew during your renewal month, your benefits will end. However, depending on how long it has been since your due date, you may still be able to renew. Here’s what you need to know. 

  • If your due date was less than three months ago, simply send in your renewal information as if you were on time. The easiest way is on ACCESS. You can also mail or fax your completed packet. 
  • You might be able to get retroactive coverage back to your renewal date—check with your local agency.
  • If you wait longer than three months after your due date, you will have to start a new application. Select “Apply for benefits” on ACCESS or contact your agency.
  • If your application is denied, call 211 or visit WisCovered.com to get free help finding other coverage. You may qualify for a plan with low or no monthly premiums. 

We recommend that you complete your renewal and let us determine your eligibility. There are many positive reasons to go through the process.

  • If you're no longer eligible for your current health care program, you might qualify for a different one.
  • If you have access to employer coverage and you're no longer eligible for Medicaid, you'll get a 60-day special enrollment period to sign up with your employer.
  • If you are no longer eligible, you will be referred to the federal marketplace at HealthCare.gov. They will reach out to you with other options for health care coverage.
  • If you have children, they may still get benefits even if you don't qualify.

Don’t delay medical care! While your program membership continues, use your benefits. For example, if you have BadgerCare Plus, you can get vaccines, medical check-ups, and prescription refills. You can use mental health services, too.

Get free, expert help

If you need help completing your renewal or finding other health insurance, visit WisCovered.com or call 211 or 877-947-2211 to reach a local navigator. Learn more about health insurance navigators and how they can help you.

Last revised January 12, 2024