Healthcare.gov, BadgerCare & Medicaid Updates
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With permission, Parsley is reproducing important healthcare policy updates from Covering Wisconsin in our blog. Read on to stay up to date on the latest regarding BadgerCare, Medicaid and ACA Healthcare.gov.
Extra Financial Help on Healthcare.gov Continues through 2025
On August 16, 2022, President Biden signed into law the Inflation Reduction Act. This law extends through Plan Year 2025 the extra Healthcare.gov subsidies that were originally added as part of the American Rescue Plan Act in 2021.
What does this mean?
- More financial help--lower premiums--will continue for all income groups next year and through December 2025.
- $0 monthly plans will be available for people with income up to 150% of the federal poverty level, or about $32,940 per year for a family of 3.
- No matter a consumer's income, they may qualify for financial help if plans in their area cost more than 8.5% of their income.
Remember: Plans and prices change every year. Even with this extension, consumers should check out new plan choices when Healthcare.gov Open Enrollment begins on November 1st--they may find a better plan for less money!
Find free, local help from a Navigator at Covering Wisconsin. Call 608-261-1455, schedule online, or text COVER to 920-507-5295.
Pause on BadgerCare and Medicaid Renewals Continues
During the COVID-19 public health emergency, special rules have been in place pausing BadgerCare Plus and Medicaid renewals and terminations. This has allowed members to keep their health insurance even if there is a change to their situation--like their household size or income--that would normally make them lose their insurance.
When the emergency ends, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) will "unwind" these special rules. The federal government has promised states they will provide 60 days notice before ending the emergency.
What has changed?
- The state did not receive notice from the federal government by the mid-August deadline that the public health emergency will end in October.
- This means the special rules for BadgerCare and Medicaid members will likely remain in place until at least mid-January 2023.
What will happen when the emergency ends?
- When the emergency ends, DHS will send letters to all BadgerCare and Medicaid members telling them when & how to take action.
- Not all members will need to take action at the same time. Each member will have a date assigned to them for when they need to take action.
- Most members will need to submit a renewal. A limited number of members will need to submit a new application.
If someone no longer qualifies for BadgerCare or Medicaid, there are other free or low-cost health insurance options available (especially thanks to the extra Healthcare.gov subsidies mentioned above!)--and free, local help throughout the state to help members through this transition.
What can we do right now?
Partners can still help consumers prepare by sharing these reminders:
- Keep their address, phone and email address updated with the State, by logging in at ACCESS.wi.gov or calling their local agency.
- Download the MyACCESS app and sign up for push notifications to get an alert when it is time to take action.
- Check for and open mail from the WI Department of Health Services to be sure you get updates and know when & how to take action.
Remember: Use the DHS partner toolkit, or Covering Wisconsin's customized versions, to help spread these reminders--and to refer consumers to your organization or health insurance enrollment assisters for help if they need it. Contact Covering Wisconsin to add your local enrollment assister contact information.
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Wishing you had gotten these updates directly? Join Covering Wisconsin's email list! Contact Courtney Harris, CWI's Outreach & Partner Relations Manager: charris2@wisc.edu.
Covering Wisconsin is a non-profit that connects Wisconsin residents with health insurance and other programs that support health.