Renewing your Medicaid coverage
Tips for your yearly DHS eligibility check to keep your
BadgerCare Plus or Medicaid SSI coverage.
Each year, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) requires BadgerCare Plus and Medicaid SSI members to verify their eligibility. When your renewal time nears, DHS will mail materials to help get you started. Your renewal timeline and due dates can also be found in your MyACCESS account.
How to prepare: Confirm your address
Log in to your ACCESS account or onto the MyACCESS app to make sure your address and contact information are correct. DHS will send your renewal materials to the address listed in your ACCESS account. You can expect to get these materials about 45 days before your renewal due date. Keeping your address updated in ACCESS ensures you will be alerted in a timely manner and avoid delays.
Avoid delays: Submit your renewal on time
Once you receive your renewal materials, confirm your renewal due date in your renewal materials. Follow the instructions provided by DHS to submit your renewal prior to your due date.
Important: DO NOT submit a renewal until you receive your renewal materials. Renewing early could cause you to lose coverage earlier than necessary.
If you have any questions about the renewal process, please visit the DHS website or contact your local income maintenance agency.
Renewal FAQs: Key details to help you stay covered
Stay informed on what you need to do and when you need to do it. Below are details about the steps you need to take toward keeping coverage.
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Why and when to renew your coverage
Why do I need to renew my coverage?
Answer:
Annual coverage renewals are required by Wisconsin DHS to see if you still qualify for Medicaid coverage. It’s important to take action to avoid a delay or gap in coverage.
When do I need to renew my coverage?
Answer:
Wisconsin DHS will send you renewal materials in the mail approximately 45 days before your renewal deadline. Once you receive these materials, you should complete and submit your renewal online, via mail, phone, or in-person at your local income maintenance agency.
Important: DO NOT submit a renewal until you receive your renewal materials. Renewing early could cause you to lose coverage earlier than necessary.
What is the deadline for me to submit a renewal?
Answer:
Your renewal due date will be in the materials you receive from Wisconsin DHS and also in your ACCESS account. Renew before your deadline to avoid a delay or gap in coverage, but do not renew early.
What if I don’t know the date of my renewal deadline?
Answer:
If you don’t know the date of your renewal deadline, visit the DHS website or contact your local income maintenance agency.
What if I miss the renewal deadline?
Answer:
If you miss your renewal deadline, your benefits will end. You have three options depending on your renewal timeline:
Option 1: During the three months following your deadline, you can do a late renewal for BadgerCare Plus and most Wisconsin Medicaid programs. With a late renewal you may still have a gap in coverage.
Option 2: Starting four months after your renewal deadline, you can no longer submit a late renewal. You will have to re-apply for Medicaid.
Option 3: You can decide to switch from Medicaid to an Individual & Family plan. To do this, you must enroll in an Individual & Family plan within 60 days of your Medicaid or SSI plan’s end date.
Who should I contact with questions about renewing my coverage?
Answer:
If you have any questions about the renewal process, please visit the DHS website or contact your local income maintenance agency. Wisconsin DHS determines your BadgerCare Plus or Medicaid SSI eligibility status. Your local agent can provide the best support for the renewal process.
Who can I contact with questions about my current Quartz BadgerCare Plus or Medicaid SSI coverage?
Answer:
Quartz is here to help with BadgerCare Plus or Medicaid SSI questions. Please contact our Customer Success team at (800) 362-3310 (TTY: 711), Monday – Thursday, 7 a.m. – 6 p.m., or Friday, 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
I already submitted my renewal packet. How do I know the status of my application?
Answer:
Wisconsin DHS will reach out to you once your renewal status is determined.
If you have questions about your current BadgerCare Plus or Medicaid SSI coverage, contact Quartz Customer Success at (800) 362-3310 (TTY: 711), Monday – Thursday, 7 a.m. – 6 p.m., or Friday, 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
What happens if I no longer qualify for Medicaid. What do I do?
Answer:
If you no longer qualify for Medicaid, we have several affordable options that can provide you with health care coverage that’s right for you.
- Explore Quartz Individual & Family plans. We may have an Individual & Family plan that’s right for you. To learn more, visit our Individual & Family page or call our local Quartz experts at (866) 996-5080 (TTY: 711).
- Explore other health coverage options. To learn more about other health coverage options, visit Healthcare.gov or WisCovered.com.
Note: When you enroll in coverage directly through the Healthcare Marketplace, you can apply for cost-savings like financial assistance and subsidies (whether a Quartz plan or non-Quartz plan). Quartz is also proud to partner with the United Way HealthConnect Premium Assistance Program for Quartz Members in Dane, La Crosse, or Monroe counties. Eligible members can apply for extra assistance after enrolling in select Quartz plans.
How to renew or re-apply to Medicaid
How do I renew my Medicaid online?
Answer:
Use your ACCESS account to apply online.
Once you’ve logged in, look for the alert that says “Benefit Renewals Due For” and click the program name to get started.
If you need to create an ACCESS account, you will provide your name, create a user ID and password, and choose secret questions.
How do I renew my Medicaid by mail or fax?
Answer:
To renew or re-apply by mail or fax, complete your application, and submit all required documents to the appropriate location below:
| If you live in Milwaukee County | If you do not live in Milwaukee County | ||
| MDPU PO Box 05676 Milwaukee, WI 53205 Fax: (855) 293-1822 |
CDPU PO Box 5234 Janesville, WI 53547 Fax: (855) 293-1822 |
How do I renew my Medicaid by phone or in-person?
Answer:
To renew or re-apply by phone or in-person, contact or visit your local agency (or Income Maintenance agency). It is best to call and set up an appointment to apply by phone or in-person.
How do I re-apply for Medicaid online?
Answer:
Use your ACCESS account to apply online.
Once you’ve logged in, look for the alert that says “Benefit Renewals Due For” and click the program name to get started.
If you need to create an ACCESS account, you will provide your name, create a user ID and password, and choose secret questions.
How do I re-apply for Medicaid by mail or fax?
Answer:
To re-apply by mail or fax, complete your application, and submit all required documents fax to the appropriate location below:
| If you live in Milwaukee County | If you do not live in Milwaukee County | |
|---|---|---|
| MDPU PO Box 05676 Milwaukee, WI 53205 Fax: (855) 293-1822 |
CDPU PO Box 5234 Janesville, WI 53547 Fax: (855) 293-1822 |
How do I re-apply for Medicaid by phone or in-person?
Answer:
To re-apply by phone or in-person, contact or visit your local agency (or Income Maintenance agency). It is best to call and set up an appointment to apply by phone or in-person.
Who should I contact with questions about re-applying for Medicaid?
Answer:
If you have any questions about re-applying, please visit the DHS website or contact your local income maintenance agency. You can find your local agency’s contact details online.
Wisconsin DHS determines your BadgerCare Plus or Medicaid SSI eligibility status. Your local agent can provide the best support for the renewal process.
Who can I contact with questions about my current Quartz BadgerCare Plus or Medicaid SSI coverage?
Answer:
Quartz is here to help with BadgerCare Plus or Medicaid SSI questions. Please contact our Customer Success team at (800) 362-3310 (TTY: 711), Monday – Thursday, 7 a.m. – 6 p.m., or Friday, 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
I already re-applied to Medicaid. How do I know the status of my application?
Answer:
Wisconsin DHS determines your renewal status and will reach out to you once your status is determined.
If you have any questions about your current BadgerCare Plus or Medicaid SSI coverage, contact Quartz Customer Success at (800) 362-3310 (TTY: 711), Monday – Thursday, 7 a.m. – 6 p.m., or Friday, 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
What happens if I no longer qualify for Medicaid. What do I do?
Answer:
If you no longer qualify for Medicaid, you have other coverage opportunities to consider:
- Explore Quartz Individual & Family plans. We may have an Individual & Family plan that’s right for you. To learn more, visit our Individual & Family page or call our local Quartz experts at (866) 996-5080 (TTY: 711).
- Explore other health coverage options. To learn more about other health coverage options, visit Healthcare.gov or Wiscovered.com.
Note: When you enroll in coverage directly through the Healthcare Marketplace, you can apply for cost-savings like financial assistance and subsidies (whether a Quartz plan or non-Quartz plan). Quartz is also proud to partner with the United Way HealthConnect Premium Assistance Program for Quartz Members in Dane, La Crosse, or Monroe counties. Eligible members can apply for extra assistance after enrolling in select Quartz plans.
Medicaid update FAQs
What are ACCESS and MyACCESS?
Answer:
ACCESS is an online account that you can set up to self-manage your benefits. You can set up your account at access.wi.gov or access.wi.gov/es (Spanish). Once your account is set up, you can see digital copies of letters mailed to you. You can also submit required documents, update contact details, and more.
MyACCESS is a free smartphone app you can download from the App Store or Google Play and use on the go. MyACCESS has many of the same features as access.wi.gov, however, you can only apply for or renew benefits through the website version.
What types of communications will I receive from DHS?
Answer:
Throughout the renewal process, DHS will reach out to you about next steps. They will contact you through mailed letters, texts, emails, and notifications in your ACCESS or MyACCESS accounts.
Text messages will be sent from 94347 (WI DHS) and emails will come from [email protected].
Important: Be alert for possible SPAM messages. Official DHS notifications will never:
- Ask for personal information, like your birthday or Social Security Number
- Ask for financial information, like a bank account or credit card number
- Offer a prize or money for responding
If you receive a text message that you think is SPAM, do not respond to the text or click on any links within the text.
What types of communications will I receive from Quartz?
Answer:
Quartz may send you letters and emails as follow-ups to DHS communications. We will be checking in with you to make sure you are receiving the information you need and completing the steps needed to help keep you covered.