Wisconsin Budget Project

During COVID-19, temporary rules meant that people could stay on BadgerCare/Medicaid w/o having to renew their coverage. This was good news. It meant less paperwork and less gaps in coverage for people that needed health care.

However, these rules are set to end in April, and people will have to once again renew their benefits to stay covered. This means more paperwork and more hurdles. Many people may lose their coverage even though they’re still eligible. These kinds of barriers disproportionately impact people of color.

Here at the Wisconsin Budget Project, we're closely monitoring this process and addressing disparities if we notice them.

Important: if you're on Medicaid or BadgerCare, you still have coverage and you shouldn't delay needed medical care.

If you are a service provider, community leader, or simply knows/loves someone who receives Badgercare/Medicaid, be sure to sign up for the state's email list on the topic (https://dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/unwindingtoolkit.htm), & like this post to keep our updates in your feed.

Read the full article from NPR at:
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/01/24/1150798086/6-8-million-expected-to-lose-medicaid-when-paperwork-hurdles-return.

Image credit to NPR: George Mink Jr. is a health care outreach worker in Delaware County, Pa. He worries about what will happen when vaccines are no longer paid for by the federal government. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)

6.8 million expected to lose Medicaid when paperwork hurdles return Since early in the pandemic, people on Medicaid have been able to stay enrolled without reapplying. That will change in April and millions of eligible people will lose the coverage.