WISCONSIN — Wisconsin will implement 12-month continuous health insurance coverage for kids, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) announced Thursday. 

The policy change applies to most new and existing members of Wisconsin’s BadgerCare Plus and other Medicaid programs who are under 19 years old. They can now keep their health insurance benefits for at least 12 months, regardless of their family’s changes in income or if they no longer meet program rules.

Wisconsin children who are enrolled in qualifying programs as of Jan. 1, 2024 will be covered for 12 months. Coverage starts at either their last application or renewal.

Any new members under 19 who enroll in a qualifying program on or after Jan. 1, 2024, will keep benefits for a full 12 months as well.

When the 12 months of coverage ends, if they wish to keep their benefits, participants will need to complete a renewal process. That process determines if they are eligible to continue coverage.

However, if a child receiving coverage turns 19 during that 12 month period, they would lose coverage. Coverage would also end if they moved out of Wisconsin or if their parents requested to disenroll their child in the plan.

The change is being made under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, which was passed by Congress in Dec. 2022. States were required to implement the change under the legislation.

Wisconsin DHS said the goal of the policy is “to improve health outcomes for children by stabilizing their access to care.”

“This policy change ensures Wisconsin children will continue to get the care they need when they need it,” said Wisconsin DHS secretary-designee Kirsten Johnson. “Families will have peace of mind knowing their kids can get wellness checks, vaccines, and more to stay healthy.”

The Wisconsin DHS said continuous coverage was a temporary policy during the COVID-19 pandemic; officials said it was successful and reduced the number of uninsured kids to “near historic lows.” This was a driving factor in creating the new, permanent policy.

“Families will have time to find new coverage if needed when they experience an income or other household change while having peace of mind that their children are still covered,” the Wisconsin DHS said in a statement.

Learn more Medicaid programs for kids in Wisconsin, here.