Health insurance when you’re pregnant
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Welcome to the Covering Wisconsin Maternal Health Page
This page is intended to help you learn more about health insurance when you’re pregnant, including resources for parents, and outreach resources for community partners.
Pregnant and need health insurance?
BadgerCare Plus is full healthcare coverage through Wisconsin Medicaid. For people who are pregnant or were pregnant in the last 60 days, it also pays for:
Doctor appointments and tests
Prenatal vitamins and prescriptions
Labor and delivery
Coverage benefits are available for 12 months after your pregnancy ends
What if I already have health insurance?
You may still qualify for BadgerCare Plus pregnancy and postpartum benefits even if you have other health insurance. Eligibility depends on income.
After your pregnancy:
Apply for BadgerCare Plus for your baby, and see if any other family members qualify.
Apply for BadgerCare Plus if:
You are pregnant or were pregnant in the last 60 days
You live in Wisconsin
Have a Social Security Number
Your monthly household income is equal to or lower than:
| Household Size: | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Income before taxes: | $0 - $5,518 | $0 - $6,967 | $0 - $8,415 | $0 - $9,863 | $0 - $11,312 |
To apply for BadgerCare Plus:
Apply online: access.wi.gov
In-Person: Call (877) 942-6837 and ask for local help near you.
By Phone: Visit the DHS website to find your local county office phone number
If you don’t qualify for BadgerCare Plus:
If you do not qualify for BadgerCare Plus because you are in prison or jail or because of your immigration status, apply for the BadgerCare Plus Prenatal Plan. You don’t need a Social Security Number to apply.
BadgerCare Plus Prenatal Plan is full healthcare coverage during your pregnancy and covers labor and delivery. You are covered until the end of your pregnancy.
You may qualify for BadgerCare Plus Prenatal Plan if:
You live in Wisconsin
Are not offered or covered by a full-benefit health insurance plan
You do not qualify for BadgerCare Plus due to immigration status OR because you are in jail or prison
Your monthly household income is equal to or lower than:
| Household Size: | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Income before taxes: | $0 - $5,518 | $0 - $6,967 | $0 - $8,415 | $0 - $9,863 | $0 - $11,312 |
After your pregnancy:
If you have a medical emergency within 60 days of the end of your pregnancy, you can get BadgerCare Plus Emergency Services Medicaid coverage.
BadgerCare Plus Emergency Services Medicaid:
Covers all services needed to treat the medical emergency
The benefits start the first day you get medical care for the emergency
The benefits end when your condition is no longer a medical emergency
Coverage for the new baby
If you qualify for BadgerCare Plus:
Get BadgerCare Plus for your baby and then see if other family members qualify.
1. Call 1-800-362-3002 and ask for your county agency phone number. Tell the county agency you had a baby.
2. Say you need BadgerCare Plus for the newborn and any other children in your household.
3. Ask if the adults in your household also qualify.
To sign up or learn more about BadgerCare Plus:
Go online:ACCESS.wi.gov
Get help from a local agency: Call the 2-1-1 helpline and ask for local help near you to sign up, or Click Here to find your county agency phone number.
If you qualify for HealthCare.gov:
HealthCare.gov is the federal Health Insurance Marketplace.
If anyone in your family does not qualify for BadgerCare Plus, they might qualify for help from the Marketplace.
Sign up within 60 days of the baby’s birth or during the Open Enrollment period from November 1st to January 15th.
To sign up or learn more about HealthCare.gov:
Go online:HealthCare.gov
Get help from a local agency: Call the 2-1-1 helpline and ask for local help near you to sign up.
If you can’t get insurance go to a free clinic or community health center near you. To find a clinic, call 2-1-1 and ask for help finding a local Community Health Center (CHC). They often have financial help to lower your bill.
You may qualify for BadgerCare plus if you are pregnant, or have a household income below a certain amount. Already have health insurance? You may still qualify based on income.
Check the tool on the right-hand side of the screen to find out what you might qualify for.
What if I can’t get insurance?
Other Resources for parents
The Well Badger Resource Center is Wisconsin’s health information and referral service, connecting you to the social, health, and government programs available in your community.
These programs can include food assistance, health care services, child health resources, and more.
WIC: The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children. WIC serves those who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or postpartum, as well as infants and children up to age five.
Foster parents and relatives may also apply on behalf of an infant or child in their care.
Outreach Resources for Community Partners
Check out our free-to-download toolkit of community resources including social media posts, printable outreach cards, and printable fliers. If you’d like to customize any of the material below with your logo and phone number, please reach out to Tina Marshalek at tina.marshalek@wisc.edu
For additional resources that support immigrant families, visit the Wisconsin Collaboration on Immigrants and Public Benefits.
Printable Outreach Cards and Fliers
Social Media Materials
