Tuberculosis Dispensary Program
The Wisconsin Tuberculosis (TB) Dispensary Program ensures that all persons in Wisconsin with suspected or confirmed tuberculosis infection or disease can receive appropriate evaluation, treatment, and monitoring, regardless of insurance availability.
The Wisconsin TB Dispensary Program uses state tax revenue funds to reimburse local health departments for medical care of patients with active TB, patients being evaluated for TB, patients with latent TB infection (LTBI), and patients exposed to TB.
Local health departments must have a contract in place with the Wisconsin TB Dispensary Program before reimbursement can occur.
For nonmedical financial aid, see the Wisconsin TB Treatment Assistance Program webpage.
Services not covered by the Wisconsin TB Dispensary Program
By Wisconsin statute, the Wisconsin TB Dispensary Program is the payer of last resort. The following persons and services are not covered by the Wisconsin TB Dispensary Program:
- Persons with private or public insurance
- Hospitalizations
- Testing for employment or admission to a correctional or long-term care facility
- Testing or evaluation of TB Class B status refugees (refugees receive Medicaid upon arrival)
Wisconsin local health departments can receive Wisconsin TB Dispensary Program reimbursement once a TB Dispensary contract is in place.
Every year (approximately May), the Wisconsin TB program sends dispensary contracts out to qualified local health departments.
Representatives from the local health department must:
- Read TB Dispensary program Policies and Procedures (Attachment F).
- Complete the contract, including the Clinical Services Plan (Attachment B) and the Pharmacy Services Plan (Attachment D).
- Return the signed contract through DocuSign.
Reimbursable services include:
- Medications for TB disease or latent TB infection (LTBI)
- Diagnostic testing
- Laboratory tests
- Chest radiography
- Sputum collection
- Medical evaluation by providers
See Covered Clinical Services (Attachment A) in your local health department's Wisconsin TB Dispensary Program contract for list of covered services.
If seeking coverage for a service not listed on Attachment A, the local health department must fill out and submit a pre-authorization request in the TB Ordering and Billing Interface (TOBI).
Department of Health Services resources
- Financial Assistance for TB or LTBI - Fact Sheet, P-03549: (PDF) A fact sheet to spread awareness of financial resources available to TB / LTBI clients, with a spot for LTHD contact information.
- TOBI: A webpage containing information on the Tuberculosis Ordering & Billing Interface (TOBI).
- Wisconsin TB Treatment Assistance Program: A webpage containing information for local health departments.
- Tuberculosis INFECTION Initial Request for Medication, F-00905: Use this to order medications for latent TB infection (LTBI).
- Tuberculosis DISEASE Initial Request for Medication, F-44000: Use this to order medications for active TB disease.
- Medication Refill Request, F-44126: Use this to order refills for active TB Disease.
- Ordering Latent Tuberculosis Infection (LTBI) Medications though the Wisconsin Tuberculosis Dispensary Program, P-02404: (PDF) Instructions for ordering LTBI medications through the Wisconsin TB Dispensary Program
- Ordering Active Tuberculosis Medications through the Wisconsin TB Dispensary Program, P-02404A: (PDF) Instructions for order medications for active TB disease through the Wisconsin Dispensary Program.
Questions about TB? Contact
Phone: 608-261-6319 | Fax: 608-266-0049