(MILWAUKEE, March 29) – The Milwaukee Enrollment Network (MKEN), with the support of the HealthyMKE community outreach and education initiative and Covering Wisconsin, announces the launch of a comprehensive community education campaign to promote the upcoming return to BadgerCare Plus and Medicaid re-enrollment requirements for all recipients. The campaign emphasizes the importance of Medicaid members staying informed and taking action on renewing health insurance benefits at the appropriate time over the next year.
After three years of continuous Medicaid eligibility due to the Public Health Emergency, residents have not needed to take any action to re-enroll in Medicaid and retain health insurance coverage. Continuous eligibility ends on March 31, 2023. Therefore, all people with Medicaid or BadgerCare Plus coverage will need to renew their benefits per their designated renewal period sometime between June 2023 and May 2024.
MKEN is committed to ensuring all current recipients have the information needed to navigate the process, re-enroll, or get connected to alternative affordable health insurance options. “Adequate, accessible, and affordable health insurance coverage is critical to improving the health and well-being of individuals and our community,” said Justin Rivas, Director of Community Health Initiatives at the Milwaukee Health Care Partnership and MKEN Manager. “The goal of this campaign is to ensure no one falls through the cracks and finds themselves without coverage – whether that means maintaining Medicaid coverage or enrolling in employer or Marketplace plans.”
The comprehensive campaign will strategically target zip codes with high numbers of Medicaid members and will leverage community influencers, informational videos, colorful, attention-grabbing social content, and grassroots person-to-person outreach. It will also support community and health care organizations by distributing printed informational materials and providing ready-made digital content such as flyers, social posts, and newsletter content in the form of a downloadable toolkit.
Medicaid and BadgerCare Plus recipients will be encouraged to follow these key steps as promoted by the campaign:
- Update your address and contact information: It is important that Medicaid has your correct information so you receive important updates and renewal date information. Update your information on the MyACCESS app, access.wi.gov, or by calling Milwaukee Enrollment Services at 888-947-6583.
- Know your renewal date: Recipients will be notified of their renewal dates through mail, text, or email. These dates can also be found in the ACCESS online portal or the MyACCESS Wisconsin app. Reapplication or renewal deadline dates will be between June 2023 and May 2024 and will differ among recipients. Pay close attention to the renewal year on your notice.
- Wait to renew until your renewal window: The renewal window starts 45 days before the renewal deadline date. It is important not to renew before the start of your specific window so your coverage lasts as long as possible.
- Download the MyACCESS app and turn on notifications: The MyACCESS app is an essential tool to keep recipients informed. The app can also be used to update personal information and upload verification documents during the renewal period.
“We want all Medicaid members to know they have free support. Your situation is unique – and you don’t have to understand it all yourself,” said Covering Wisconsin Director Allison Espeseth, and partner of the Milwaukee Enrollment Network. Covering Wisconsin is the state’s federally certified and state-licensed health insurance navigator agency. “Navigators – and other enrollment assisters around the state – are specially trained to help you understand your coverage options, enroll in a plan, and take next steps. This includes figuring out if you may still qualify for Medicaid, have an affordable option available from your job, or could get financial help for plans from HealthCare.gov.”
Consumers who are no longer eligible for BadgerCare Plus or Medicaid can find affordable plans on the Healthcare.gov Marketplace. Visit HealthyMKE.com or call Covering Wisconsin at 414-400-9489 with questions or for help renewing Medicaid coverage or signing up for Marketplace Coverage. Covering Wisconsin has health insurance navigators who are knowledgeable and available to provide free help with Medicaid or Marketplace coverage in person, over the phone, by chat, or by text. Residents may also get assistance from benefit counselors at their clinics or hospitals.
Enrollment assistance partners can download campaign resources by going to healthymke.com/medicaid-
The MKEN Medicaid re-enrollment and renewal campaign is supported by issuers, Covering Wisconsin, the City of Milwaukee Health Department, and the Milwaukee County Department of Health and Human Services.
