Conservatively Speaking
State Senator Mary Lazich (R-New Berlin) represents parts of four counties: Milwaukee, Waukesha, Racine, and Walworth. Her Senate District 28 includes New Berlin, Franklin, Greendale, Hales Corners, Muskego, Waterford, Big Bend, the town of Vernon and parts of Greenfield, East Troy, and Mukwonago. Senator Lazich has been in the Legislature for more than a decade. She considers herself a tireless crusader for lower taxes, reduced spending and smaller government.
BadgerCare Plus Core Plan to be suspended
Earlier this week, I received the following e-mail from Department of Health Services Secretary Karen Timberlake about the BadgerCare Plus Core Plan.
Good morning:
I wanted to take this opportunity to share with you a major announcement that Governor Jim Doyle will be making regarding the BadgerCare Plus Core Plan.
A little more than three months ago we expanded BadgerCare Plus to low-income adults without dependent children. This plan offers basic health care to
Therefore, on Friday, October 9, 2009 at 12:00 p.m. (noon) we are suspending the BadgerCare Plus Core Plan enrollment process. We will no longer be enrolling new members in the Core Plan after 12:00 p.m. on Friday, October 9, 2009 because the total number of applications we have received is greater than the number of slots available. We will process all applications that were submitted by 12:00 p.m. on Friday, October 9, 2009.
Effective at 12:00 p.m. on October 9, 2009 we will create a waiting list for the Core Plan and people on the waitlist will be able to enroll in the Core Plan as space becomes available. Individuals will not have to pay the $60 non-refundable application processing fee to be placed on the waitlist. We will have more information regarding when individuals will be able to move off the waiting list and enroll in the Core Plan once we have processed all pending applications over the next several months.
This change does not affect those individuals who wish to apply for FoodShare benefits and Family Planning services. Those individuals should continue to apply online at www.Access.wi.gov or by calling 1-800-291-2002.
Governor Doyle has directed the Department to design a low-premium health care plan to help those on the Core Plan waiting list to have some minimal form of coverage while they wait for space to become available in the BadgerCare Plus Core Plan. Details will be presented to the Governor in the coming months.
We anticipate that many individuals will try to apply for the Core Plan between today and Oct. 9th. We expect that the hold times on the phone will be very long so we encourage individuals to apply online through ACCESS or through a community partner.
You may receive calls to your offices regarding this issue. If a constituent calls your office about the status of their application, please know that given the high case volume we are expecting this week, DHS will not be able to check on the status of applications as our priority will be to take new applications through the week. Application processing is currently taking between 30-60 days.
Please encourage your constituents to apply online through ACCESS or through a community partner and follow-up regarding the status of their applications by calling 1-800-291-2002.
Attached is a copy of a fact sheet and an FAQ document to assist in answering constituent calls.
I appreciate your ongoing assistance and commitment to serving the residents of
Sincerely,
Karen E. Timberlake
Secretary
BADGERCARE +
Core Plan – Health Care For Adults With No Dependent Children
WAITLIST At 12:00 P.M. (noon) on October 9, 2009, we will suspend the BadgerCare Plus Core Plan enrollment process. We will no longer be enrolling new members in the Core Plan after 12:00 P.M. (noon) October 9, 2009 because the total number of applications we have received is greater than the number of slots available. We will create a waitlist and people on the waitlist will be able to enroll in the Core Plan as space becomes available.
After that deadline, we will still accept applications for the FoodShare and Family Planning Waiver programs and we encourage you to apply for these programs.
If you do not apply for the Core Plan before 12:00 P.M (noon), October 9, 2009 and wish to enroll as space becomes available, go to ACCESS.wi.gov or call the
If your name is added to the Core Plan waitlist, we will let you know when there is an opening and tell you what you have to do to get signed up. While you are on the waitlist, you should let us know if you have any changes in your contact information such as address and phone number so that we can reach you when there is an opening in the program.
State of
If your name is added to the waitlist, please contact the Enrollment Services Center if you:
• Become disabled,
• Turn age 65,
• Move out of
• Become eligible for Medicare or Medicaid,
• Obtain health insurance,
• Start a job that offers health insurance coverage, or
• Have a related child under age 19 move into your home
If one of these things changes, you may be eligible for another health care plan that does not have a waitlist.
For people who apply for the BadgerCare Plus Core Plan before 12:00 P.M. (noon) October 9, 2009:
• If you submit an application and pay your fee before 12:00 P.M. (noon) October 9, 2009, your application will be processed and you will be enrolled if you meet the program rules.
• If you submit your application before 12:00 P.M. (noon) October 9, 2009, but you have not yet paid your fee, you must pay it within 30 days from the date you applied. If your fee is not paid on time, your application will expire and you will have to add your name to the waitlist.
For more information about the BadgerCare Plus Core Plan or to find a list of free or low cost clinics, visit: www.badgercareplus.org
BADGERCARE +
Core Plan Waitlist Frequently Asked Questions Last update: 10/2/09
New Applicants
Q. I have heard that you’re closing the BadgerCare Plus Core Plan, is this true?
A. The Core Plan is not going to “close”, but as of 12:00 P.M. (noon) October 9, 2009, we will be suspending the BadgerCare Plus Core Plan enrollment process. People may apply on ACCESS.wi.gov or over the phone at 1-800-291-2002 until noon October 9, 2009 to be considered for enrollment in the Core Plan. After that time, we will not be accepting any new applications to the program. We will be creating a waitlist for people who do not apply before the deadline.
Q. Why are you suspending the BadgerCare Plus Core Plan?
A. We will no longer be enrolling new members in the Core Plan because the total number of applications we have received is greater than the number of slots available. We will create a waitlist for the BadgerCare Plus Core Plan. FoodShare, the Family Planning Waiver and BadgerCare Plus for children and families are still accepting members. You can still apply for those programs online or by phone.
Q. What if I’ve already applied, does the deadline affect my application?
A. All applications will be processed that are received before 12:00 P.M. (noon) October 9, 2009. If you call in prior to the deadline, we will take your contact information, but may call you back after the deadline to complete an application in order to assist as many people as possible prior to the deadline. You will still be considered for enrollment in the program if you call before 12:00 P.M. (noon) October 9, 2009 even if someone does not contact you until after the deadline.
Q. I can’t get through on the 1-800 number. What do I do? A. We are encouraging as many people as possible to apply online at Access.wi.gov. Community partners and county/tribal agencies may also be assist people with applying. To find a Community Access Point in your area visit, BadgerCarePlus.org.
APPLIED BEFORE 12:00 P.M. (noon) 10/9/09 WHO HAVE PAID FEE
Q. Will I be put on the waiting list?
A. If you apply before 12:00 P.M. October 9, 2009, and pay your fee within 30 days from the date you apply, your application will be processed and you will be enrolled if you meet the program rules.
Q. When will I be able to go to the doctor?
A. Once your application has been processed, you will receive a ForwardHealth card in the mail within 3-5 business days.
Q. When it is time for me to renew in a year, will I be able to automatically renew or will I have to go on the waiting list?
A. We will send you a reminder letter when it is time for you to renew your benefits. If you complete your renewal before the deadline printed on the letter, you will not have to go on the wait list.
APPLIED BEFORE 12:00 P.M. (noon) 10/9/09 BUT NO FEE PAID
Q. Will I be put on the waiting list?
A. If you submit your application before 12:00 P.M. (noon) October 9, 2009, and you meet the program rules, you will receive coverage on the BadgerCare Plus Core Plan and will NOT be put on the waitlist.
Q. How long do I have to make my payment?
A. You have 30 days from the date you apply to pay the $60 application processing fee. If you do not pay it within that time, your application will expire and you will have to add your name to the waitlist.
Q. What if I paid my $60 fee, but it was late?
A. If you apply before 12:00 P.M. (noon) October 9, 2009, but pay your fee late, your application will expire and you will need to add your name to the wait list. We will refund your $60 fee.
WAITLIST
Q. After 12:00 P.M. (noon) October 9, 2009 how do I get on the waitlist?
A. To add your name to the waitlist, go to ACCESS.wi.gov. You will need to answer most of the questions on the application (online or by phone) to make sure you meet the program rules for Core Plan. If you do, you will be added to the waitlist for the Core Plan. You will not be asked to pay the $60 application fee until you are able to enroll. FoodShare, the Family Planning Waiver and BadgerCare Plus for children and families are still accepting new members. You can still apply for those programs online or by phone.
Q. How long will I be on the waitlist?
A. We don’t know at this time when slots will become available. Once we have processed all the applications received before 12:00 p.m. October 9, we will have a better idea. As space becomes available, people on the waitlist will be invited to apply.
Q. What will happen once space opens up and I am able to apply?
A. You will get a letter with your security code. The letter will tell you to go online or call to complete a new application using the security code. You will have to apply using the code within 30 days or after that, the code will expire and you will need to add your name to the waitlist again.
Q. Will I have to apply over the phone or can I apply at home or with a community partner?
A. You can apply over the phone, at home online or with a community partner.
Q. What are my options while I’m on the waiting list (I need to go to the doctor now!)
A. A list of free or low cost clinics can be found at: BadgerCarePlus.org.
Governor Doyle has directed the Department of Health Services to design a low-premium health care plan to help those on the Core Plan waiting list to have some minimal form of coverage while they wait for space to become available in the BadgerCare Plus Core Plan. The program would require enrollees to pay for premiums on their own, but it would be coverage that individuals can choose to take while they wait.
Within the next 45 days the Department will present to the Governor and to the legislature a plan to provide you with a health insurance coverage option.
Q. I tried to apply for the Core Plan, but was told I needed to wait 12 months since I had coverage in the last year. Can I get on the waitlist while I am waiting for the 12 months to pass.
A. If you are in a 12-month waiting period because you had health insurance coverage, you need to wait until the end of that waiting period before applying to get your name on the waitlist.
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