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Unwinding Partner Toolkit

What's new

New renewal resources for Kids and Families are ready to download and share! Resources include an outreach card, flyer, and social media posts. Spanish and Hmong translations included. | August 29, 2023

Nineteen new translations have been added for the Renewals are Back outreach card and flyer. | August 15, 2023

Renewal resources for Older Adults are now available. These resources include a poster, flyer, outreach card, and handouts. Spanish and Hmong translations included. | July 13, 2023

 

Keeping members covered

Illustration of hands shaking, cell phone, gears, light bulb

Unwinding is the term used by our federal partners to describe the steps for state Medicaid agencies to replace temporary policies established during the COVID-19 emergency with regular eligibility, enrollment, and benefits management processes. Wisconsin’s Unwinding goals include:

  • Implementing a successful return to routine operations for our programs
  • Keeping Wisconsinites covered, whether through a state program, insurance from an employer, or a plan from HealthCare.gov

Using the toolkit

This toolkit is designed to give you communication tools to help members navigate the Unwinding process successfully. We encourage you to download and customize the materials and share our social media posts to help spread key messages. 

 Explore our partner toolkit for resources available in DHS versions and customizable versions. If you have challenges with customization or have other questions about toolkit materials, email DHSDMSCommunications@wi.gov.

 Follow DHS on social media and share our posts. Current social media posts are linked within each theme below for your convenience.

 Sign up for our Unwinding email list to stay informed about updates to the toolkit.

Update your address

Now is the time for members to update their address, mobile phone number, and email address so that we can contact them with important information about their benefits.

Let us know! BadgerCare Plus customizable outreach card

Download:

MyACCESS mobile app instructions, P-02297

MyACCESS Smartphone App Instructions. Slide 12 explains how members can update their addresses in the app.

Download:

MyACCESS flyer, P-02309

MyACCESS Mobile App Flyer

Download:

MyACCESS Mobile app poster P-02307

MyACCESS Mobile App Poster

Download:

MyAccess mobile app wallet card

MyACCESS Mobile App Wallet Card

Download:

MyACCESS Outreach Card, P-03328

MyACCESS Mobile App Outreach Card

Download:

Access poster, P-160844

ACCESS Poster

Download:

ACCESS tear-off sheets, P-16084A

ACCESS Poster Tear-Off Sheet

Download:

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Hmong

Spanish

English

Hmong

Spanish

Watch. Read. Act.

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Hmong

Spanish

English

Hmong

Spanish

Renewals are back

Renewals for BadgerCare Plus and Wisconsin Medicaid programs have begun again after having been suspended for the past three years. Members should make sure they renew at the just right time—not too early or too late. They can visit our renewal webpage for more information.

New! To help members quickly find information about Wisconsin Medicaid health care renewals, please add the following hashtags to your social media posts: #BadgerCarePlus, #WIMedicaid, #ForwardHealth, #Unwinding, #FoodShare.

Renewals are back for BadgerCare Plus and other Wisconsin Medicaid programs. What does that mean for you? You will need to give the state updated information about your household and income to see if you can keep your benefits.

Download:

What to expect at renewal time for Wisconsin Medicaid members

Download:

Right-click on the QR code to save it as an image and add it to materials to help members easily navigate to the DHS Medicaid News for Members webpage.

Important: Please do not add a border around the outside of the QR code. Doing so can interfere with the "quiet zone." The quiet zone is the empty white border around the outside of a QR code. Without this border, a QR reader will not be able to determine what is and is not contained within the QR code (due to interference from outside elements).

QR code for DHS medicaid news webpage

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Hmong

Spanish

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Hmong

Spanish

Each Instagram post contains a Spanish and Hmong translation. Within the post, simply swipe through or click the arrow to see each translation.

 

Kids and families

Renewal messaging has been created to help target the kids and families member audience. Resources help highlight the need for adults with children to renew their healthcare, even if they think they no longer qualify--their kids still might. 

Thumbnail Health Care Renewals for Adults with Children Outreach Card

Download:

Thumbnail Health Care Renewals for Adults with Children Fact Sheet

Download:

English

 

Hmong

 

Spanish

 

English

 

Hmong

 

Spanish

 

Each Instagram post contains a Spanish and Hmong translation. Within the post, simply swipe through or click the arrow to see each translation. 

 

Older Adults

These renewal resources have been created with older adults in mind and include features such as larger text and renewal instructions tailored to this specific audience.

Health care renewal information for older adults

Download:

Health care renewal flyer for older adults

Download:

Health care renewal outreach card for older adults

Download:

Health care renewal handouts for older adults

Download:

FoodShare

During the COVID-19 pandemic, a federal program let us give members extra benefits plus their regular amount. Due to recent federal law changes, the extra amounts ended as of February 2023. Qualifying families will continue to get their regular FoodShare amounts. Members can visit our Food Support Resources webpage to learn about food support other than FoodShare.

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Hmong

Spanish

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Spanish

You still have coverage

We've heard from partners that some members are concerned they may have lost their benefits. Members need to know they still have coverage and shouldn't delay needed medical care.

You Still Have Benefits Flyer, P-03175

Download:

Facebook

Twitter

Get ACCESS and MyACCESS

ACCESS is Wisconsin's secure online web portal where people can see if they qualify for programs and apply for benefits. Members can go to access.wi.gov or use the companion MyACCESS smartphone app to manage their benefits.

ACCESS Poster

Access poster, P-160844

Download:

ACCESS Poster Tear-Off Sheet

ACCESS tear-off sheets, P-16084A

Download:

MyACCESS QR Code

Right-click on the QR code to save it as an image and add it to materials to help members download the MyACCESS app from their mobile device's app store.

Important: Please do not add a border around the outside of the QR code. Doing so can interfere with the "quiet zone." The quiet zone is the empty white border around the outside of a QR code. Without this border, a QR reader will not be able to determine what is and is not contained within the QR code (due to interference from outside elements).

QR code for the MyACCESS mobile app

MyACCESS App Instructions

MyACCESS mobile app instructions, P-02297

Download:

MyACCESS App Flyer

MyACCESS flyer, P-02309

Download:

MyACCESS App Poster

MyACCESS Mobile app poster P-02307

Download:

MyACCESS App Wallet Card

MyAccess mobile app wallet card

Download:

MyACCESS App Outreach Card

MyACCESS Outreach Card, P-03328

Download:

Facebook - Part One

Facebook - Part Two

Twitter - Part One

Twitter - Part Two

Texts and emails from DHS

In late 2022, DHS added text and emails to our communication channels.

Keeping in touch your way, P-03330

Download:

Medical expense deductions

Members who are elderly, blind, or have a disability can submit certain medical expenses they pay for out-of-pocket and potentially increase their FoodShare monthly benefits.

FoodShare: medical expense deductions and impact, P-03315B

Download:

FoodShare and medical expenses, P-03315A

Download:

FoodShare and medical expenses, P-03315A

Download:

Medicare enrollment opportunities

This information outlines options for members looking to enroll in Medicare.

This information reminds members who may be eligible for Medicare about their special opportunity to enroll in or change Medicare plans, should they no longer meet the rules for Medicaid.

How to use: You can copy and paste articles provided here for distribution in a newsletter or email messaging.

Special Enrollment Details for Members Whose Medicaid Coverage Is Ending

Medicaid Members: Are you an older adult or an adult with a disability?

Since March 2020, Medicaid has been keeping everyone enrolled. Normal enrollment rules will start again soon. When that happens, you will get a letter from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services asking you to update your information and complete a renewal. Your health insurance could end if you no longer meet the rules for Medicaid.

If your Medicaid benefits end, you may be able to get Medicare if you:

  • Are age 65 or older
  • Have a qualifying disability
  • Have been getting disability benefits for two years

Special Enrollment Timing

After Medicaid ends, you have six months to enroll in Medicare. To get started, call Social Security at 800-772-1213 (TTY 800-325-0778) or visit ssa.gov/medicare/sign-up.

If you already have Medicare and your Medicaid benefits end, you will have a limited time to change your Medicare plan:

  • Three months for a Medicare Advantage health plan (Part C)
  • Three months for a Medicare Part D drug plan
  • Two months for Medicare Supplemental Insurance (Medigap), during which you cannot be denied coverage based on your health

Are you worried about Medicare late enrollment fees? You won’t have late enrollment fees if you enroll in Medicare within six months after your Medicaid ends. You may have late enrollment fees in the future if you miss this enrollment opportunity or go without drug coverage.

Free, expert help is available. If you have questions about Medicare, including how to pay for it, a benefits counselor can help. Contact the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) by calling:

Information on special enrollment period for Medicaid members who no longer qualify for Medicaid

Download:

Outreach card with information on Medicare special enrollment period for members who no longer qualify for Medicaid

Download:

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Hmong

Spanish

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Spanish

Last revised September 28, 2023