Wisconsin Department of Health Services

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Consumer Guide to Health Care

Paying for Health Care in Wisconsin

Finding and choosing insurance

Questions and Answers about Health Insurance describes different kinds of health insurance plans and answers common questions. It was prepared by the federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (exit DHS).
The guide to finding and choosing insurance gives you information on what to consider as you search for an insurance plan.
Here is information about long-term care insurance and paying for long-term care.
The health plan quality page will help you find out how plans compare on a variety of quality measures.

Government programs

If you do not have access to private insurance, this section provides information about programs that might help you, including the following Wisconsin programs. (Specific eligibility requirements may vary in these programs. Please go to links for eligibility details.)

ACCESS is a tool to help you determine if you are eligible for Wisconsin’s health and nutrition assistance programs. You can check to see if you’re eligible, apply for benefits, and find answers to common questions.
BadgerCare Plus is a new health insurance program available to all Wisconsin children, regardless of income. Others who may be eligible include pregnant women, parents and caretakers, young adults who are leaving foster care when they turn 18, farmers and self-employed people, and low-income adults with no dependent children. Find out if you are eligible for BadgerCare Plus and other health and nutrition programs by visiting ACCESS (exit DHS), or call 1-800-362-3002.
Wisconsin Medicaid: A joint federal/state program that pays for medical services for residents of Wisconsin who are poor, aged, blind, or disabled.
SeniorCare: A Medicaid program that provides prescription drug assistance for those 65 or older.
Family Planning Waiver: A Medicaid program that covers family planning services and supplies for women between 15 and 44 years of age. This brochure (PDF, 149 KB) provides more detailed information.

Information on finding insurance and paying for care if you are:

Working in the arts: Healthcare and Health Insurance from the Actors Fund includes information to help you find health insurance and get health care. They also have a database of services and organizations that may be helpful for those in the entertainment industry.

A college student: Insurance 101: A Guide to Insurance Basics for College Students from OCI .
A young adult: Consult the Young Adults pages of Healthcare.gov, information from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
A farmer: Check A Guide to Health Insurance and Worker's Compensation Insurance for Farm Families from Wisconsin's Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI). Also see information about the Farmers' Health Cooperative of Wisconsin.
Medicare eligible or a senior: For those who are Medicare eligible, there are lots of things to consider such as buying supplemental insurance, joining a managed care plan, and how to get prescription drug coverage.
Looking for health insurance as an individual: This guide helps you find and buy health insurance on your own if you do not have employer-based insurance.
Unemployed or losing your group health insurance for other reasons: Turn here to find out what options and protections you have.
Unable to find adequate coverage due to a medical condition or have lost your employer-sponsored group insurance: HIRSP.
Considering a health spending account.
A small business owner.

A veteran: There are several health insurance and health benefit programs available to veterans and their families.

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Last Revised: August 29, 2011