ForwardHealth: Health Care Renewals
Complete your renewal to keep your benefits
When you first applied for BadgerCare Plus or another Wisconsin Medicaid program, you told 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 updates every year. This process is called a renewal.
What to expect at renewal time
- About two months before your renewal is due, we’ll see if we have current information on file for you. 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, you'll get a renewal packet in the mail about two weeks before your renewal month. It tells you what you need to do and the deadline. Renew as soon as you get your packet in case we have questions or need to verify your information—we don't want your benefits to stop due to a delay.
- You'll need to update the information we have on file, like your household details, income, assets, and insurance. We may ask you to submit documents that show proof of your answers.
- If you are renewing FoodShare benefits at the same time, you may need to interview with a worker. See FoodShare News and Updates for details.
- 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 changing.
- If you don't renew during your renewal month, your benefits will end. You may be able to do a late renewal for BadgerCare Plus and most Wisconsin Medicaid programs up to three months later. 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 for more information.
When do I renew?
Each member has been assigned a renewal date. To find yours:
- Check the letter mailed to you 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.
See What's the best time to renew? under frequently asked questions to learn more.
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.
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. You can also renew by phone or in person. Contact your local agency to make an appointment.
If you don’t have your renewal packet, you can still renew by mail. Download and fill out the form below for your specific program. Although these forms are designed for new applications, you can also use them for your renewal.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Your renewal window opens about two weeks before your renewal month. Once you get a notice from us, renew right away to make sure you don't have a gap in benefits. If you don't renew by the end of your renewal window, we'll let you know your benefits could be ending. You still have until the end of the month to renew on time.
| 2024 renewal months | "Just right" renewal window |
|---|---|
| January | December 11 – January 18, 2024 |
| February | January 15 – February 16, 2024 |
| March | February 12 – March 18, 2024 |
| April | March 11 – April 17, 2024 |
| May | April 15 – May 16, 2024 |
| June | May 13 – June 17, 2024 |
| July | June 10 –July 18, 2024 |
| August | July 15 – August 16, 2024 |
| September | August 12 – September 17, 2024 |
| October | September 16 – October 17, 2024 |
| November | October 14 – November 15, 2024 |
| December | November 11 – December 18, 2024 |
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.