BadgerCare Plus and Medicaid renewals are back! Learn more.

  • Keep your health insurance!

    Now that the emergency is over, BadgerCare Plus and Medicaid members will need to find their renewal date, and renew up to 45 days before their coverage ends.
    Learn More

  • Free, expert health insurance help.

    Get Started

  • When can I sign up?

    Learn about your options to get health insurance.
    Learn More

Finding affordable health insurance that works for you can be hard. We get it.

But no one should have to struggle to find the insurance that gets them the care they need when and where they need it.

The Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance built WisCovered.com to help connect you to free expert help in your community and around the state. Below you will find options to call and talk to a real person who can walk you through the complicated maze of health insurance. If you’re more the DIY type, you can find options to apply online right now.

We’ve also got common questions and answers that may help you find coverage or get help paying for your health insurance.

Your health is important.

Get Started
Common Questions
About WisCovered

BadgerCare Plus and Medicaid Renewals

A special rule was put in place during the COVID-19 emergency that kept BadgerCare Plus and Medicaid members enrolled in coverage without having to renew every year. Now that the emergency is over, BadgerCare Plus and Medicaid members will need to find their renewal date, and renew up to 45 days before their coverage ends. It’s important to wait for the 45-day window just before benefits end and not renew early. If you renew too soon and don’t qualify, you may lose your benefits early. Use the resources below to learn more.

Department of Health Services

✅ General renewal information

✅ Steps to take right now

✅ Staying in touch with DHS

✅ Frequently asked questions

TIP: Bookmark this webpage and check back often!

Visit the Department of Health Service's Website
Covering Wisconsin

Learn how to…

✅ Find your renewal date

✅ Complete your renewal and submit documents

✅ Find other types of coverage if you no longer qualify

✅ Live chat with an expert for free

Visit Covering Wisconsin's Website
ACCESS and MyACCESS

Go to access.wi.gov or use the companion MyACCESS smartphone app to submit your renewal and manage your benefits.

View step-by-step instructions for completing your renewal through the website or app.

View ACCESS and MyACCESS Flyer
For Our Partners

We created a digital media toolkit to connect Wisconsinites with experts who can help them renew their BadgerCare Plus or Medicaid or find other high-quality, affordable health care coverage. Thank you for utilizing the toolkit to promote the importance of health insurance.

Digital Media Toolkit

Speak to an Expert

A health insurance expert can help you find the best affordable plan for you. These experts work at organizations like Covering Wisconsin, community health centers, and other nonprofits. They have access to all health insurance options available to Wisconsinites from private insurance to BadgerCare Plus. Health insurance experts don’t make money by signing you up for a plan.
 
Call now and ask for help with health insurance.
Anywhere in Wisconsin
2-1-1
In Milwaukee
(414) 400-9489
In Madison
(608) 261-1455
Anywhere in Wisconsin
Call Now
In Milwaukee
Call Now
In Madison
Call Now
Are You 65 Years of Age or Older or Need Help with Medicare?
Call Now
Are You 65 Years of Age or Older or Need Help with Medicare?
1 (800) 242-1060
Board on Aging & Long Term Care

Common Questions and Answers

Your Health Insurance Options
  • You can stay on your parent’s plan if you’re under 26
    • If a parent’s health insurance plan covers dependents (from their job or a private plan), you usually can be added to their plan and stay on it until you turn 26.
    • If your parents count you as a dependent on their taxes, you can stay on their Healthcare.gov plan until you turn 26.
    • Learn more about staying (or getting on) a parent’s plan.
  • See if you qualify for BadgerCare
    • You may apply for BadgerCare Plus at any time. The best way to find out if you qualify is to apply. If you’re parents claim you on their taxes, you must include their income in your application.
    • Find out which program you may qualify for:
      • Answer two quick questions with this online tool.
      • Call the 2-1-1 helpline to find free, expert help.
      • Chat with an expert. Click the “Chat with us” button to get started.
    • If you want to apply on your own, go to access.wi.gov.
  • Ask your college about student health plans
  • If your school offers a student health plan, it can be an easy way to get basic insurance coverage.
  • Get your own plan on HealthCare.gov
    • At HealthCare.gov, you’ll find a variety of plans and prices available to you. Depending on your situation, you may be able to get savings based on your income. But if someone will claim you as a tax dependent on next year’s tax return, you must include their income in your application.
    • You can apply for a plan during Open Enrollment.

Depending on the time of the year or if you have certain life changes, you may be able to sign up!

All Wisconsinites can shop for health insurance from November 1 to January 15. This period is called Open Enrollment (learn more about Open Enrollment in the section below).

After January 15, you may still be able to sign up for health coverage with BadgerCare Plus (the State of Wisconsin’s health insurance program) or a Special Enrollment Period.

Special Enrollment Period on HealthCare.gov

  • If you have certain life changes you may be able to sign up for a plan outside of Open Enrollment. This is called a Special Enrollment Period. Tribal members and their families can enroll at any time.
  • Life changes include:
    • Losing health coverage
    • Getting married
    • Moving
    • Having a baby
    • Click here for more life changes that qualify.
    • If your household’s income is at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty level ($19,320/year for an individual, $39,750/year for a family of four), you’re able to sign up for a plan.
  • Find out if you qualify by getting free expert help:
  • If you want to apply on your own, you can do an application on HealthCare.gov. You can chat with an expert if you need help.

BadgerCare Plus

  • You may apply for BadgerCare Plus at any time. The best way to find out if you qualify is to apply.
  • Find out which program you may qualify for:
    • Answer two quick questions with this online tool.
    • Call the 2-1-1 helpline to find free, expert help.
    • Chat with an expert. Click the “Chat with us” button to get started.
  • If you want to apply on your own, go to access.wi.gov.

BadgerCare may be able to back-date your application to cover medical care you already got during the last 90 days. If you need to back-date your application, work with an expert or your local IM agency (find your IM agency).

  • You may apply for BadgerCare Plus at any time. The best way to find out if you qualify is to apply.
  • Find out which program you may qualify for:
    • Answer two quick questions with this online tool.
    • Call the 2-1-1 helpline to find free, expert help.
    • Chat with an expert. Click the “Chat with us” button to get started.
  • If you want to apply on your own, go to access.wi.gov.
  • BadgerCare may be able to back-date your application to cover medical care you already got during the last 90 days. If you need to back-date your application, work with an expert or your local IM agency (find your IM agency).

You may be able to save money on your health insurance. You may also be eligible for the State of Wisconsin’s health insurance program called BadgerCare Plus. 

  • Find out if you qualify by getting free, expert help:
    • Call the 2-1-1 helpline to find free, expert help
    • Chat with an expert. Click the “Chat with us” button to get started.
  • See if you qualify for health insurance savings: HealthCare.gov/see-plans.
  • You can also apply online for BadgerCare Plus to see if you qualify. Visit access.wi.gov to apply.

Yes! Check out some of your options below. 

Yes. If you want to purchase a health insurance plan, you can buy one directly from an insurance agent.  

Agents and brokers sometimes provide free, year-round help with Marketplace and other insurance like Medicare. They are contracted by insurance companies to help you. They should not charge you.

If you are not comfortable submitting your own application on HealthCare.gov, it’s safest to work with someone who is licensed and certified to submit Healthcare.gov applications: 

If you lose your health insurance plan from work, you can sometimes keep that insurance for up to 18 months. This option is called COBRA. With COBRA, you usually pay the full cost of the plan.

Get free, expert help to see if COBRA or a plan on HealthCare.gov is the best option for you.

ObamaCare is a common name for health insurance available for purchase on the federal marketplace. You might have also heard it called HealthCare.gov. 

You can apply for a plan on HealthCare.gov right now or you can get free expert help.  

You might even be able to get help paying for some or all of the costs of your premium.  

Health insurance is complicated. You don’t have to figure it out alone. Get help.

WisCovered.com

A health insurance expert is a person trained and registered with the state of Wisconsin. This includes: 

  • Navigators: provide free, year-round help with Medicaid, BadgerCare, and Marketplace plans. They also help to resolve problems with coverage and medical bills. Navigators are federally trained and certified. Learn more here.
  • Certified Application Counselors (CAC): provide free, year-round help with Medicaid, BadgerCare, and Marketplace. CACs are federally trained and certified.
  • Agents and brokers: sometimes provide free, year-round help with Marketplace and other insurance like Medicare. They are contracted by insurance companies to help you. They should not charge you.

Make sure you’re working with a licensed expert. Enter the experts name or license number at oci.wi.gov/Lookup.

Health insurance help should always be free.

Open Enrollment Questions and Answers

ObamaCare is a common name for health insurance that you can buy on the federal Marketplace (HealthCare.gov). Open Enrollment is the time of year when you can sign up for a health insurance plan. Open Enrollment is from November 1 to January 15.​

Getting sick or having an accident can be expensive. Every health insurance plan on HealthCare.gov covers: doctor visits, preventive care, hospital stays, prescription drugs, pregnancy and newborn care, children’s dental care, mental health services, and more. ​HealthCare.gov plans won’t deny claims or cancel your plan because of a pre-existing condition.  

To find out if you can save or get low-cost health insurance:

Yes! Free, expert help is available to help you start or finish an application.

Yes. Every year plan prices and options change. It’s important to update your information.

Make sure you update your:

  • Income
  • Household information
  • Contact information
  • Contact preferences

If your income goes down or you have a baby, you may qualify for additional financial help. If your income goes up, make sure to update it.

Be sure to check to see if your favorite doctors, hospitals, medications, and pharmacies are still available if you renew your plan – sometimes networks change from year to year.​​

Marketing Workgroup Participants

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield
ABC for Health
ABC for Health, Inc.
Common Ground Healthcare Cooperative
Common Ground Healthcare Cooperative
Covering Wisconsin
Covering Wisconsin
Dean Health Plan
Dean Health Plan
HealthWatch Wisconsin
HealthWatch Wisconsin
Milwaukee Enrollment Network
Milwaukee Enrollment Network
Milwaukee Health Care Partnership
Milwaukee Health Care Partnership
Next Step Insurance
Next Step Insurance
Quartz Health Benefits
Quartz Health Benefit Plans
Department of Health Services
Department of Health Services
Office of the Commissioner of Insurance
Office of the Commissioner of Insurance
The Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance is a resource for Wisconsinites who need help talking to their insurance company or have a complaint about their health insurance. File a complaint to get help from our experts.
File an Insurance Complaint