Children and families enrolled in BadgerCare Plus Standard or Benchmak plans living in Milwaukee, Racine, Kenosha, Waukesha, Ozaukee and Washington counties will be asked to select an HMO as part of an initiative to help improve the quality of care.

"We expect the highest quality health care for children and families enrolled in the BadgerCare Plus Standard and Benchmark Plans," said Secretary Karen Timberlake. "We have new contracts in place with four HMOs in southeastern Wisconsin for providing services to our BadgerCare Plus members. As part of the new contracts, HMOs must meet certain quality standards, with the goal of improving care for our members. We encourage members to choose the HMO that will work best for them after looking at the materials they receive from us in the mail."

The Department of Health Services has contracted with CommunityConnect HealthPlan, UnitedHealthcare, Abri Health Plan, and Children's Community Health Plan. After they receive their enrollment packet, members can select an HMO online at access.wi.gov, by calling 1-800-291-2002, or by completing and returning the HMO Enrollment Choice form they will receive with their enrollment packet.

The Department of Health Services will mail enrollment materials to BadgerCare Plus Benchmark and Standard Plan members based on where they live beginning on the following dates:

• July 19 - Milwaukee County North
• August 19 - Milwaukee County South
• September 18 - Racine, Kenosha, Waukesha, Washington and Ozaukee counties

Members should wait until their designated enrollment period or after they have received their enrollment materials to select an HMO.

The change does NOT affect members who are enrolled in SSI Medicaid, Medicaid for the Elderly Blind or Disabled (EBD) or members enrolled in the BadgerCare Plus Core Plan. HMOs currently serving those members will not change.

For more information about the BadgerCare Plus HMO changes for Southeast Wisconsin, please visit www.badgercareplus.org or call 1-800-291-2002.