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BadgerCare Plus Frequently Asked Questions

  • BadgerCare Plus provides health coverage to children, parents, caretakers, pregnant members, and childless adults in low-income households.
  • BadgerCare Plus members use their health care coverage to access primary and acute care services, such as physician services, inpatient and outpatient hospital care services, pharmacy, non-emergency medical transportation, vision and dental care.
  • UnitedHealthcare provides all medically necessary covered services under the BadgerCare Plus Standard Plan. Some services may require a prior authorization.

UnitedHealthcare members receive the following benefits directly through the State of Wisconsin:

  • Chiropractic Care,
  • Pharmacy Dispensed Medication,
  • Dental for members who live in counties other than Kenosha, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Washington or Waukesha Counties and
  • Non-Emergency Medical Transportation.

Populations eligible for BadgerCare Plus include:

  • Children younger than 19 years old with income at or below 300% of the federal poverty level (FPL)*.
  • Pregnant women with incomes up to 300% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL)*
  • Parents and caretakers of children younger than 18 years old and dependent 18-year-olds with incomes at or below 100% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL)*.
  • Parents and caretaker relatives whose children have been removed from the home and placed in out-of-home care
  • Former Foster Care Youth younger than 26 years old who were in out-of-home care when they turned 18
  • Adults ages 19–64 who are not receiving Medicare, do not have dependent children and have incomes at or below 100% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL)

*Federal Poverty Levels and related monthly income levels can be found HERE

  • You must live in Wisconsin.
  • You must provide proof of citizenship and identity.
  • If you are currently insured, you might still be eligible. In some cases, the state may pay your monthly premium so you can keep your other insurance.

Individuals who are interested in applying for BadgerCare Plus coverage have multiple ways of gaining health coverage:

In addition to applying for health coverage through BadgerCare Plus, individuals can also apply for other services and supports through either www.Access.wi.gov or your local income maintenance office. These benefits include assistance in paying for food, paying for childcare and finding a job.

Having important information available when you apply for BadgerCare Plus or other benefits will help the process go smoother. It is recommended that you have the following information available when you apply for benefits:

  • Birthdate
  • Address
  • Social Security number
  • U.S. citizenship or immigration status
  • Marital status
  • Names of people living in your home and how they are related
  • Job income
  • Job information, including employer's name, address, and phone number
  • Other income (for example, Social Security or Unemployment Compensation)

Learn more

BadgerCare Plus


Individual & Family ACA Marketplace Plans Disclaimer
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The benefits described may not be offered in all plans or in all states. Some plans may require copayments, deductibles and/or coinsurance for these benefits. This policy has exclusions, limitations, reductions of benefits, and terms under which the policy may be continued in force or discontinued. For costs and complete details of the coverage, review your plan documents, call or write your insurance agent or the company, whichever is applicable. Plan specifics and benefits vary by coverage area and by plan category. Please review plan details to learn more.

UnitedHealthcare Individual & Family plans medical plan coverage offered by: UnitedHealthcare of Arizona, Inc.; Rocky Mountain Health Maintenance Organization Incorporated in CO; UnitedHealthcare of Florida, Inc.; UnitedHealthcare of Georgia, Inc; UnitedHealthcare of Illinois, Inc.; UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company in AL, KS, LA, MO, NJ, and TN; Optimum Choice, Inc. in MD and VA; UnitedHealthcare Community Plan, Inc. in MI; UnitedHealthcare of Mississippi, Inc.; UnitedHealthcare of New Mexico, Inc.; UnitedHealthcare of North Carolina, Inc.; UnitedHealthcare of Ohio, Inc.; UnitedHealthcare of Oklahoma, Inc.; UnitedHealthcare of South Carolina, Inc.; UnitedHealthcare of Texas, Inc.; UnitedHealthcare of Oregon, Inc. in WA; and UnitedHealthcare of Wisconsin, Inc.  Administrative services provided by United HealthCare Services, Inc. or its affiliates.

This policy has exclusions, limitations, reduction of benefits, and terms under which the policy may be continued in force or discontinued. For costs and complete details of the coverage, call or write your insurance agent or the company, whichever is applicable. By responding to this offer, you agree that a representative may contact you.

*To qualify for a $0 monthly premium, you must meet household income requirements for Advanced Premium Tax Credits.

**$0 cost-share for network periodic oral evaluation 2 times per consecutive 12 months. Adult dental benefit coverage is limited to a $1,000 benefit maximum per plan year. Coverage for routine vision exam and eyewear is limited to once every 12 months. If you opt to receive vision care services or vision care materials that are not covered benefits under this plan, a participating vision care provider may charge you their normal fee for such services or materials. Coverage may not be available on all plans or in all states. For costs and complete details of coverage, contact your insurance agent or the company, as applicable.

Last Updated: 09.19.2024 at 11:35 PM CDT

Disclaimer information
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Looking for the federal government’s Medicaid website? Look here at Medicaid.gov.

UnitedHealthcare Dual Complete plans

Plans are insured through UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company or one of its affiliated companies, a Medicare Advantage organization with a Medicare contract and a contract with the State Medicaid Program. Enrollment in the plan depends on the plan’s contract renewal with Medicare. This plan is available to anyone who has both Medical Assistance from the State and Medicare. Benefits, features and/or devices vary by plan/area. Limitations, exclusions and/or network restrictions may apply. Benefits, premiums and/or co-payments/co-insurance may change on January 1 of each year.

Premium disclaimer

Dual Special Needs plans have a $0 premium for members with Extra Help (Low Income Subsidy).

Benefit disclaimer

Benefits, features, and/or devices vary by plan/area. Limitations, exclusions and/or network restrictions may apply.

Nurse Hotline disclaimer

This service should not be used for emergency or urgent care needs. In an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. The information provided through this service is for informational purposes only. The nurses cannot diagnose problems or recommend treatment and are not a substitute for your provider's care. Your health information is kept confidential in accordance with the law. The service is not an insurance program and may be discontinued at any time. Nurse Hotline not for use in emergencies, for informational purposes only.

UnitedHealthcare Connected® for MyCare Ohio (Medicare-Medicaid plan)

UnitedHealthcare Connected® for MyCare Ohio (Medicare-Medicaid plan) is a health plan that contracts with both Medicare and Ohio Medicaid to provide benefits of both programs to enrollees. 

UnitedHealthcare Connected® (Medicare-Medicaid plan)

UnitedHealthcare Connected® (Medicare-Medicaid plan) is a health plan that contracts with both Medicare and Texas Medicaid to provide benefits of both programs to enrollees.

UnitedHealthcare Connected® for One Care (Medicare-Medicaid plan)

UnitedHealthcare Connected® for One Care (Medicare-Medicaid plan) is a health plan that contracts with both Medicare and MassHealth (Medicaid) to provide benefits of both programs to enrollees. 

UnitedHealthcare Connected® general benefit disclaimer

This is not a complete list. The benefit information is a brief summary, not a complete description of benefits. For more information contact the plan or read the member handbook. Limitations, copays and restrictions may apply. For more information, call UnitedHealthcare Connected® Member Services or read the UnitedHealthcare Connected® member handbook. 

UnitedHealthcare Senior Care Options (HMO SNP) plan

UnitedHealthcare Senior Care Options (SCO) is a Coordinated Care plan with a Medicare contract and a contract with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Medicaid program. Enrollment in the plan depends on the plan’s contract renewal with Medicare. This plan is a voluntary program that is available to anyone 65 and older who qualifies for MassHealth Standard and Original Medicare and does not have any other comprehensive health Insurance, except Medicare. If you have MassHealth Standard, but you do not qualify for Original Medicare, you may still be eligible to enroll in our MassHealth Senior Care Option plan and receive all of your MassHealth benefits through our Senior Care Options (SCO) program.

Star ratings disclaimer

Every year, Medicare evaluates plans based on a 5-Star rating system. The 5-Star rating applies to plan year 2024.

Important provider information

The choice is yours

We will provide you with information to help you make informed choices, such as physicians' and health care professionals' credentials. This information, however, is not an endorsement of a particular physician or health care professional's suitability for your needs.

The providers available through this application may not necessarily reflect the full extent of UnitedHealthcare's network of contracted providers. There may be providers or certain specialties that are not included in this application that are part of our network. If you don't find the provider you are searching for, you may contact the provider directly to verify participation status with UnitedHealthcare's network, or contact Customer Care at the toll-free number shown on your UnitedHealthcare ID card. We also recommend that, prior to seeing any physician, including any specialists, you call the physician's office to verify their participation status and availability.

Some network providers may have been added or removed from our network after this directory was updated. We do not guarantee that each provider is still accepting new members.

Out-of-network/non-contracted providers are under no obligation to treat UnitedHealthcare plan members, except in emergency situations. Please call our customer service number or see your Evidence of Coverage for more information, including the cost- sharing that applies to out-of-network services.

American Disabilities Act notice

In accordance with the requirements of the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 ("ADA"), UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company provides full and equal access to covered services and does not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities on the basis of disability in its services, programs, or activities.

Referrals

Network providers help you and your covered family members get the care needed. Access to specialists may be coordinated by your primary care physician.

Paper directory requests

Paper copies of the network provider directory are available at no cost to members by calling the customer service number on the back of your ID card. Non-members may download and print search results from the online directory.

Inaccurate information

To report incorrect information, email provider_directory_invalid_issues@uhc.com. This email box is for members to report potential inaccuracies for demographic (address, phone, etc.) information in the online or paper directories. Reporting issues via this mail box will result in an outreach to the provider’s office to verify all directory demographic data, which can take approximately 30 days. Individuals can also report potential inaccuracies via phone. UnitedHealthcare Members should call the number on the back of their ID card, and non-UnitedHealthcare members can call 1-888-638-6613 / TTY 711, or use your preferred relay service.

Declaration of disaster or emergency

If you’re affected by a disaster or emergency declaration by the President or a governor, or an announcement of a public health emergency by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, there is certain additional support available to you.

  • Part A, Part B, and supplemental Part C plan benefits are to be provided at specified non-contracted facilities (note that Part A and Part B benefits must be obtained at Medicare certified facilities);
  • Where applicable, requirements for gatekeeper referrals are waived in full;
  • Plan-approved out-of-network cost-sharing to network cost-sharing amounts are temporarily reduced; and
  • The 30-day notification requirement to members is waived, as long as all the changes (such as reduction of cost-sharing and waiving authorization) benefit the member.

If CMS hasn’t provided an end date for the disaster or emergency, plans will resume normal operation 30 days after the initial declaration.