BadgerCare
BadgerCare is a health insurance program for low-income working families with children. It provides coverage for families with incomes too high for Medicaid who cannot access health insurance. BadgerCare is Wisconsin's response to the federal SCHIP initiative that began in 1997.
Who's Eligible?
All families with children who have income below 185% of the federal poverty level and who do not have health insurance are encouraged to apply. Additionally, prenatal benefits are also available to pregnant women who are either undocumented immigrants or prison on jail inmates. Once enrolled, individuals may remain in the program until the family income becomes greater than 200% of the federal poverty level.
Benefits
BadgerCare benefits are the same as those under Medicaid.
They include:
- doctor's visits
- prescription drugs
- immunizations
- family planning services and prenatal care
- mental health services
- vision care
- hearing services
- dental services
- lab tests and x-rays
- hospital care
- transportation to medical covered services
To apply:
You can go to your local county/tribal social or human services department, W-2 agency, or Medicaid outstation site. You can also call Recipient Services at 1-800-362-3002. Or if you are able to access the Internet, you can apply through the State of Wisconsin ACCESS web site.
Additional Resources
Official State of Wisconsin page outlines BadgerCare eligibility and benefit information. [more]
[more]
Back to school campaign, county pilot projects, outreach, public policy. [more]
This article addresses the unique challenges of insuring rural children. [more]
Topics include the number and percent without health insurance; current insurance status and insurance status over the past year; and kinds of health insurance coverage (public and private). [more]
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