The Wisconsin Department of Health Services today announced that more than 80,000 childless adults have gained BadgerCare Plus coverage, and more than 60,000 with income above the federal poverty level have lost BadgerCare Plus eligibility.
Among the many changes to come from the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, the State of Wisconsin removed a cap on the number of “childless adults” eligible to enroll in BadgerCare Plus.
This resulted in 81,731 childless adults enrolling in April, according to DHS.
In addition, the state changed eligibility for BadgerCare Plus, removing individuals with incomes above the poverty level from the state program. This has resulted in 62,776 people losing eligibility.
According to DHS, “Individuals above the poverty level are able to access federal subsidies and can choose to purchase plans through the federal exchange or in the private market.”
Of those no longer eligible for BadgerCare Plus, 55,749 are “parents/caretakers” with incomes above the federal poverty level, according to DHS.
In Milwaukee County, 26,932 childless adults have newly enrolled for coverage, and 10,245 people have lost eligibility.
The federal poverty level for an individual is a yearly income of $11,490. More information on the federal poverty level, also referred to as “poverty guidelines,” can be found here.
DHS said “According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, Wisconsin is the only state to not take the Medicaid expansion that has no gap in coverage. The report can be found here.”
“Our entitlement reforms make sure Medicaid is a safety net for our state’s neediest citizens and protect Wisconsin’s taxpayers from the uncertainty surrounding the federal government’s implementation of the Affordable Care Act,” said Gov. Scott Walker. “Due to our reforms, 81,731 people living in poverty now have health care through Medicaid, and Wisconsin is the only state to not take the expansion with no health coverage gap.”
