“What are the requirements for Medicaid in Wisconsin?” is a question many individuals and families in the state ask when applying for health care coverage. However, Wisconsin Medicaid eligibility requirements vary between each available program. To find out what the Medicaid application guidelines in Wisconsin are, petitioners should review general requirements as well as those specific to certain programs.

Medicaid benefits eligibility in Wisconsin typically focuses on the applicant’s financial need, personal circumstances or a combination of the aforementioned. Many of these requirements are the same for multiple Medicaid programs and a petitioner who is eligible for Medicaid may fit into a few subprograms. Before submitting an application, Medicaid applicants should know what the income requirements are for Medicaid in WI.

Who meets the requirements for Medicaid in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin Medicaid benefits eligibility is a combination of personal and household factors. The Wisconsin Medicaid eligibility requirements vary between each program, as the state divides health care coverage into group options. To find out what the requirements for Medicaid programs are, the applicants must look at each available benefit opportunity.

Before determining how to qualify for Medicaid in WI, interested applicants should determine if their health care coverage need is financially or non-financially based. Financial-based requests are subject to income restrictions, while non-financial needs include personal components.

Medicaid options not based on financial eligibility have individual prerequisites. For instance, only female residents diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer can apply for the Wisconsin Well Women Medicaid program.

The state government reserves Wisconsin Medicaid for residents who are disabled, elderly or have a financial need in addition to fulfilling the application guidelines. Generally, Wisconsin Medicaid eligibility requirements include applicants being U.S. citizens or legal immigrants and residents of the state.

Senior applicants applying for Medicaid programs for the elderly must be 65 years of age and older. Physically and mentally disabled petitioners should be 18 years of age and older but parents of a disabled minor may apply on his or her behalf prior to maturation. However, disabled minors are subject to financial restrictions.

Learn more about Medicaid requirements by downloading our comprehensive guide.

What are the Income Requirements for Medicaid in Wisconsin?

Financial Medicaid eligibility requirements in Wisconsin help the state determine which low-income households qualify for health care coverage assistance. An applicant who is eligible for Medicaid based on personal factors may not qualify for benefits due to earning limits. Knowing what the requirements are for Medicaid include determining the petitioners’ household income.

While not all Medicaid programs have income requirements, the financially based health care coverage options are available for low-income applicants that do not fulfill the personal requirements such as age or disability. WI Medicaid benefits eligibility calculates the earning of the applicant’s household, not just their personal income. These calculations reflect the federal poverty level guidelines in relation to the family size.

For example, the annual household income for a family of four to be at the federal poverty level is $24,300, while a family of two reaches the threshold with $16,020. Many Medicaid programs require that a family income must be a percentage of the federal poverty level to meet the Medicaid eligibility requirements in Wisconsin. If a Medicaid program requires an applicant’s household to make less than 250 percent of federal poverty level, the income for a family of four must be less than $60,750 annually.

Medicaid petitioners who want to know what the income requirements for Medicaid are must be aware of how the state defines “households” according to the program. By means of example, applicants for Medicaid for the elderly, blind, and disabled must include the individual and the person responsible for taking care of him or her as part of a household. However, if the applying petitioner lives with a spouse receiving supplemental security income, he or she would not include the spouse’s earning as part of the household income.

You can download our guide to learn more about Medicaid requirements.

What are the Medicaid Applications Guidelines for Wisconsin Programs?

To find out what are the requirements for Medicaid in WI, interested applicants can review the program highlights below. Details include who is eligible for Medicaid and plan coverage. Medicaid benefits eligibility is subject to change with adjustments to the law and program.

• Family Care and Partnership Program is available for the elderly and adult residents with physical and mental disabilities. Both programs provide eligible applicants with long-term care for health conditions expected to last longer than 90 days.
• ForwardHealth is a possible option for the elderly and low-income families at or below the monthly program limit. ForwardHealth is a culmination of many health care, nutrition and other subsidy programs.
• IRIS (Include, Respect, I Self-Direct) is a Medicaid option for adult Wisconsin residents with long-term health care needs. Disabled and elderly applicants determined financially eligible and require nursing home level of care who also lives in a county where IRIS is available may apply.
• Wisconsin Medicaid Purchase Program offers working adult residents with disabilities free to low cost health care coverage. Applicants of this Medicaid program must have an adjusted family income less than 250 percent of the federal poverty level.
• Wisconsin Medicaid BadgerCare Plus Deductible Plans are available for applicants who do not meet the income limit but have a high medical bill. Eligible applicants include pregnant women, minor children, elderly and disabled residents.