Banner advertising BadgerCare Plus, a Wisconsin Medicaid program, with text asking if viewers are worried about losing BadgerCare Plus or Medicaid.

How can we help?

Covering Wisconsin provides free help to Wisconsin residents to learn about, find, and enroll in health insurance and health benefit programs. We are a state and federally certified Navigator agency, contracted by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services to help people renew or reapply for Medicaid.

Find renewal date
How to renew
How to submit documents
What if I don't qualify?
Renewing late
Learn More

Find your renewal date

Go to the MyACCESS app. If you don’t have it, download it from the app store in your phone.

ForwardHealth Wisconsin card with insurance details and ID number.
Download for iOS
Download for Android

To sign in the first time, you will need one of these numbers:

  • Case number

  • Forward Health ID card number

  • Quest card number

Three screenshots of a mobile app interface displaying different screens. The first screen welcomes the user to MyACCESS with options to check benefits, get reminders, and submit documents. The second screen greets Elizabeth and shows her document case with an option to go to her documents and indicates she is enrolled in BadgerCare Plus. The third screen, titled BadgerCare Plus, shows the coverage status as enrolled, with the next renewal due in April 2024 and options to view contact information and benefits.
A promotional graphic offering free help from health insurance experts, with contact options including a phone number, website URL, and a QR code for online chat assistance.

When to renew

You have a 45 day window to renew. Your window opens 2 weeks before your renewal month. Make a plan to renew between the 1st and 15th of the month your renewal is due. You can renew until the last day of the month, but you may have a gap in coverage.

Set reminders to renew on the 1st of the month your renewal is due:

  • Use your phone’s calendar app

  • Enable notifications from the MyACCESS app

  • Circle the 1st on your household calendar

To find your exact renewal window dates, click the button below:

Click Here

You can also find your renewal date in your access.wi.gov account under “Benefits to Renew Now”.

Don’t renew if it says “Benefits to Renew Later” or you may lose your benefits early.

A medical prescription label showing medication details, instructions, and a checklist box.
Text graphic with the word 'Later' in red and black font, and some blurred background elements.

Missed your renewal deadline?

You can submit a late renewal up to 3 months after the end of the renewal month. If you got care after your benefits ended, you will have to submit extra paperwork to cover those bills. This is called retroactive coverage.

How to renew BadgerCare Plus or Medicaid

To get started, go to access.wi.gov and click “Log in”

  • If you have the MyACCESS app it is the same user ID and password.

  • To create an account, you will need one of the following:

    • Case number

    • ForwardHealth ID card number

    • Quest card number

It’s best to renew between the 1st and 15th of the month your renewal is due. You can renew until the last day of the month, but you may have a gap in coverage.

Use the “Next” and “Back” arrows at the bottom of the application:

Navigation buttons with a blue back arrow and gray 'Back' label, and a green next arrow with a gray 'Next' label.

Follow these steps after you sign into access.wi.gov:

Diagram illustrating a process with a green button labeled 'Renew My Benefits' at the top.
A section of a renewal form with a green box labeled 'Benefits to Renew Now' and a checkbox next to 'Health Care' selected. The section advises not to renew if it says 'Benefits to Renew Later' and provides a renewal date.
Screenshot of a financial or benefits management application with blue icons labeled People, Job Income, Bills, Other Benefits, Other Income, and Submit on the left. The main area shows a form titled 'Personal Info' with fields for Name, Address, Phone, and Email, and a 'Save' button. At the bottom, there are buttons for Edit, Erase, and Add.
A form with a green checkbox indicating agreement to electronic signing of a renewal, with fields for first name, middle initial, and last name filled with John E. Doe. Red text states that typing and clicking the box signifies agreement to the terms and swears the information is true.
A digital screen with instructions about submitting proof documents for renewal, including options to view and submit proof, upload documents via an app, and test log-in details, with a warning in red text stating that not submitting documents will result in losing benefits, and a note indicating that the renewal has been submitted.
A sign offering free expert help for health insurance questions, with contact options including a phone number, website, and QR code for online chat.

How to renew late:

1 - 30 days late: BadgerCare Plus will automatically backdate and cover your doctor visits and prescriptions.

61 - 90 days late: Call your local agency and ask them to “reopen your case” for backdating.

What is backdating?

Backdating means BadgerCare Plus will cover your doctor visits and prescriptions when you were not enrolled.

Flowchart outlining renewal date advice: Best time to renew is 15-45 days before, with options to renew in 1-30, 31-90, or 91+ days late. Renewal in 1-30 days late can still be done automatically. In 31-90 days late, renewal requires calling local agency or submitting additional pay stub; in 91+ days late, a new application is needed. Instructions at bottom to visit access.wi.gov or call 877-942-6837 for assistance.

You must submit proof of income for all the days your renewal was late.

You will need to submit proof of your income  for the time you didn’t have BadgerCare Plus.

Examples include: • Paycheck stubs • Letter from employer • Social Security Income statement

Watch for the “Next Steps” letter from the State of Wisconsin. It will be mailed to your house and you can find it in your access.wi.gov account. It will tell you what documents to send and the deadlines they are due.

You can upload documents on the MyACCESS app or mail them in.

Comparison of backdating examples for 1-30 days late and 61-90 days late, showing renewal and renewal dates, days late, and instructions for backdating.

How to submit documents

Use the MyACCESS app to take and send photos. You can also upload photos to the access.wi.gov website.

  1. In the MyACCESS app tap “Submit documents”

  2. Check what documents you need to submit

  3. Follow the directions in the app to take pictures of your documents

Mobile app screen titled 'Welcome to MyACCESS!' with options to check benefits, get reminders, and submit documents.

If you no longer qualify, check out these options

Ask if you have health insurance at your job:

  • Apply within 60 days of losing BadgerCare or Medicaid.

Apply for Medicare if you are 65 or older:

  • Apply within 6 months for Medicare Part A and B.

  • Apply within 3 months for Medicare Advantage Plan and Medicare Part D.

  • Call the Medigap Helpline (800) 242-1060.

Apply on HealthCare.gov (Federal Health Insurance Marketplace):

  • Financial help is available from HealthCare.gov.

  • Many people can find a plan for $10 per month or less.

  • If you live in Dane, La Crosse, or Monroe County you may be able to get help to pay for monthly premiums. Work with an expert to learn more.

Find a free or low-cost clinic:

  • Call the 2-1-1 Helpline to find a clinic near you.

A health insurance informational flyer with a cartoon character wearing a headset, offering free expert help via phone, website, or online chat, with a QR code for scanning.

Sign up 30 days before you lose benefits to avoid going without insurance.