Wis. ForwardHealth Online Handbook, Hospice, Topic #24343

Pregnant members enrolled in BadgerCare Plus keep their health care coverage for 12 months after the end of their pregnancy,

per 2025 Wisconsin Act 102. These members are eligible for all covered services during this postpartum period as part of their

care.

Eligibility

Most full-benefit BadgerCare Plus or Medicaid members enrolled on their last day of pregnancy are eligible for an estimated 365

days of postpartum BadgerCare Plus coverage (The window of coverage occurs for 365 days through the end of the month in

which the 365th day falls. For example, if the end of a qualifying member's pregnancy occurred on April 14, 2026, their

postpartum coverage period would be complete on April 30, 2027).

If someone is already enrolled in BadgerCare Plus or Medicaid but does not report a pregnancy until after it has ended, they may

still qualify for postpartum coverage, but they must be enrolled in the month in which the pregnancy ended.

If someone applies for coverage after their pregnancy has ended, they are eligible for 12-months of postpartum coverage if they

obtain retroactive coverage for the month in which the pregnancy ended.

Exceptions

Members will not qualify for the 12-month BadgerCare Plus postpartum coverage period if any of these statements are true:

• They were enrolled in the BadgerCare Prenatal Program.

• They were only enrolled in BadgerCare through presumptive eligibility, also known as Express Enrollment.

• Their pregnancy ended before January 1, 2026.

Circumstances when coverage may end

The 12-month postpartum coverage period can end prior to the 12 months only if the member:

• Gained eligibility based on incorrect information or agency error.

• Asks to be disenrolled from coverage.

• Moves outside of Wisconsin.

• Dies.