How to Renew Wisconsin Medicaid
Updated August 2026
Wisconsin reviews BadgerCare Plus eligibility every 12 months through a redetermination. Like all states, Wisconsin first tries ex parte renewal — checking income data, quarterly wage records, and other available sources to verify continued eligibility automatically without requiring action from the member. If Wisconsin can confirm your continued eligibility through ex parte data, your coverage renews automatically and you receive a renewal confirmation notice with no action required.
12 months
Renewal frequency
ACCESS (access.wi.gov)
Online renewal portal
30 days
Deadline to respond to a renewal notice
BadgerCare Plus renews annually — respond within 30 days of your renewal notice
Wisconsin requires BadgerCare Plus members to respond to their annual renewal notice within 30 days — a shorter window than Indiana (60 days) or Missouri (90 days). If you do not respond, Wisconsin will attempt to contact you, but coverage will eventually be terminated. Renew online at access.wi.gov or call 800-362-3002.
How Wisconsin renews Medicaid coverage
If Wisconsin cannot verify your eligibility automatically, you receive a renewal notice asking you to confirm or update your information. Wisconsin's response window is 30 days, so respond promptly.
How to complete your BadgerCare Plus renewal
Wisconsin offers several ways to complete your renewal.
- Online (ACCESS portal) — log into your account at access.wi.gov. This is the fastest method; renewals submitted online typically process within a few business days.
- MyACCESS mobile app — Wisconsin's MyACCESS mobile app (iOS and Android) allows you to complete your renewal from your smartphone and scan and upload documents directly from the app.
- By phone — call ForwardHealth at 800-362-3002 (TTY: 888-701-1252) to complete your renewal by phone with a representative.
- In person — visit your local county human services department. Bring your renewal notice, a photo ID, and any supporting documents.
Documents you may need for renewal
ForwardHealth may ask you to verify current information at renewal.
- Proof of income — recent pay stubs (last 4 weeks), employer letter, or tax records
- Proof of Wisconsin residency — utility bill, bank statement, or lease with current address
- Social Security numbers for all household members
- Changes in household composition — new household members, people who have moved out
- Any changes in other health insurance (gaining employer coverage, Medicare changes)
Adults above 100% FPL: marketplace coverage at renewal
Wisconsin did not expand Medicaid under the ACA, so adults above 100% FPL cannot get BadgerCare Plus coverage. If your income increases above the 100% FPL limit at renewal, you become ineligible for BadgerCare Plus. However, adults between 100% and 400% FPL can get heavily subsidized coverage through the federal marketplace at healthcare.gov. A BadgerCare Plus termination notice qualifies as a Special Enrollment Period — you have 60 days from the termination to enroll in a marketplace plan.
If your coverage is terminated
If Wisconsin terminates your BadgerCare Plus coverage, you have the right to request a fair hearing. Appeals should be filed within 45 days of the termination notice. Wisconsin Legal Aid at legalaction.org and Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee at lasmilwaukee.com can assist with Medicaid appeals. If your coverage was terminated in error, contact ForwardHealth immediately with your case number.
During the COVID-19 public health emergency, federal law prohibited states from removing people from Medicaid. When that protection ended, states conducted a mass redetermination known as the "unwinding." If you lost Wisconsin Medicaid during that period without receiving a renewal notice, you may still be eligible — contact ForwardHealth to reapply.
Keeping your account information up to date
The most effective way to avoid renewal problems is to report changes promptly. Changes to report include a new job or income change, a move to a new address, a change in household size (new baby, someone moves in or out), and gaining or losing other health coverage.
Contact ForwardHealth or update your information through the online portal at dhs.wisconsin.gov/medicaid.
Wisconsin Medicaid (ForwardHealth)
- ACCESS online portal: access.wi.gov
- ForwardHealth member services: 800-362-3002 (TTY 888-701-1252)
- Wisconsin Department of Health Services Medicaid: dhs.wisconsin.gov/medicaid
- Wisconsin Legal Aid: legalaction.org