Keeping you informed:
Updates on your Medicaid coverage
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) announced in March and April 2023 that all BadgerCare Plus members must take action toward keeping coverage.
What do I need to do right now?
- Make sure your contact information is updated in your MyACCESS app or access.wi.gov account. DHS will be sending letters, emails, and text messages throughout the process. Keep your contact information up-to-date so they can reach you.
- Review your letter from DHS. According to DHS, you will be required to complete ONE of the two steps below (not both!). The step you should take is stated in your letter from DHS:
- Fully re-apply to Medicaid; or,
- Renew your coverage to confirm Medicaid eligibility
You should have received an initial letter from DHS in mid-March or early April of 2023 that tells you when you will need to re-apply or renew. If you are instructed to re-apply, you may begin that process immediately. If you are instructed to renew, you must wait to renew closer to your renewal date. You can find your renewal date in the initial DHS letter or in your MyACCESS account.
If you misplaced your initial DHS letter, you can view an electronic copy of the letter in the MyACCESS app or by visiting access.wi.gov. If you did not receive a letter, please contact your local agency or visit Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
Next steps
Stay informed on what you need to do and when you need to do it. Listed below are details regarding the specific steps you need to take toward keeping coverage. Find the category related to you and expand the content for more information. (Remember: You need to either renew your coverage or re-apply for Medicaid. One or the other, but not both.)
Close All
Renew your coverage
Why do I need to renew my coverage?
Answer:
Coverage renewals are completed each year to see if you still qualify for Medicaid coverage. Even though you may have not had to do this in the past few years, you must take action now toward keeping coverage.
When do I need to renew my coverage?
Answer:
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 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:
Renewal packet deadlines will vary between June 30, 2023 and March 31, 2024 (dependent on your individual renewal timeline). The deadline will be stated in the renewal packet you receive from DHS.
What if I miss the deadline renewal deadline?
Answer:
If you miss your renewal deadline, you can submit a new application within 90 days of losing coverage in order to prevent a gap in coverage. If you decide to switch to an individual or family plan, you must enroll in the new plan within 60 days.
Who should I contact with questions about renewing my coverage?
Answer:
For questions about renewing your coverage, please contact your local agency directly. Wisconsin DHS determines your BadgerCare Plus eligibility status. Your local agent can provide the best support. If you have questions about your current BadgerCare Plus coverage, Quartz can help.
Who can I contact with questions about my current BadgerCare Plus coverage?
Answer:
We can help with BadgerCare Plus questions. Please 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.
I already submitted my renewal packet. How do I know the status of my application?
Answer:
DHS will reach out to you once your renewal status is determined. In the meantime, we are here for you while you wait. If you have questions about your current BadgerCare Plus 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 or BadgerCare Plus. What do I do?
Answer:
If you no longer qualify for Medicaid, you will lose your BadgerCare Plus coverage, but that is where we can help. Quartz has a variety of individual and family plans that could be right for you. Contact our Sales team at (800) 926-8227 or review our individual and family plan options here.
Re-apply to Medicaid
Why do I need to re-apply to Medicaid?
Answer:
Even though you may not have had to re-apply to Medicaid the past few years, DHS is requiring you to re-apply this year in order to confirm that you still qualify for Medicaid coverage.
What is the deadline for me to re-apply to Medicaid?
Answer:
If you miss the May 31, 2023 deadline to re-apply to Medicaid, you can still re-apply within 90 days of losing coverage to avoid a gap in your care. If you decide to switch from a BadgerCare Plus plan to an individual or family plan, you must switch within 60 days.
How do I re-apply for Medicaid online?
Answer:
To re-apply online, you will use your ACCESS account. If you have an ACCESS account, you can login here to get started. To create an ACCESS account, you will need to provide your name, create a user ID and password, and choose secret questions. Click here to apply online using your MyACCESS account.
How do I re-apply for Medicaid by mail?
Answer:
To re-apply by mail, complete your application, and submit all required documents by mail or 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. Find your local agency and contact information here.
Who should I contact with questions about re-applying for Medicaid?
Answer:
For questions about re-applying for Medicaid, please contact your local agency directly. Wisconsin DHS determines your BadgerCare Plus eligibility status. Your local agent can provide the best support. If you have questions about your current BadgerCare Plus coverage, Quartz can help
Who can I contact with questions about my current BadgerCare Plus coverage?
Answer:
We can help with BadgerCare Plus questions. Please 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.
I already re-applied to Medicaid. How do I know the status of my application?
Answer:
DHS will reach out to you once your status is finalized. In the meantime, we are here for you while you wait. If you have questions about your current BadgerCare Plus 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 coverage, you will lose your BadgerCare Plus coverage, but that is where we can help. Quartz has a variety of individual and family plans that could be right for you. Contact our Sales team at (800) 926-8227 or review our individual and family plan options here.
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, submit required documents, update contact details, and more.
MyACCESS is a free smartphone app that 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 process, DHS will reach out to you about next steps through mailed letters, text messages, 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, text messages, 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.