Getting care in Wisconsin without insurance

BadgerCare Plus covers many adults

BadgerCare Plus is the name of Medicaid in Wisconsin for people ages 0 to 64. The state describes it as full coverage that includes doctor visits, prescriptions, urgent and emergency care and lab tests.

Wisconsin has not expanded Medicaid in the way the Affordable Care Act describes, according to KFF, a health policy research group. Even so, KFF's January 2026 table shows Wisconsin covers other adults up to 100 percent of the federal poverty level. The federal poverty level is a yearly dollar amount that the government uses to measure poverty.

This sets Wisconsin apart from the other states that have not expanded Medicaid. In most of them, an adult with no children at home can earn very little and still get no Medicaid. In Wisconsin, adults at or below the poverty line can apply for BadgerCare Plus.

What are the income limits?

For 2026 and early 2027, the state lists these monthly income limits for adults. They are based on the poverty level, and the table runs from February 1, 2026 to January 31, 2027.

• One person can earn up to $1,330 a month.
• A household of two can earn up to $1,803 a month.
• A household of three can earn up to $2,277 a month.
• A household of four can earn up to $2,750 a month.

The state says the only way to know if you can enroll is to apply. The limits for children and pregnant people are higher than the limits for other adults, so a family can have members on different coverage.

How do I apply for BadgerCare Plus?

There is no open enrollment period, so you can apply at any time of year. The fastest way is online through ACCESS, the state's website for benefits. You can also apply in person, by phone or by mail through your local agency.

If you want to talk with someone first, ForwardHealth Member Services is at 800-362-3002. After you apply, you should answer only the state or your agency about your case. Hang up if a caller you do not know asks for your details.

One application can also check whether you qualify for help with food and child care costs.

What if I earn more than the limit?

Once your income passes the poverty line, you may be able to buy a plan on HealthCare.gov and get help with the monthly cost. Our guide on what to do after losing insurance explains your sign-up window if you lost a job. Our guide on high-deductible plans helps if your plan has a large deductible. A deductible is what you pay yourself each year before your plan begins to pay.

Free and low-cost clinics in Wisconsin

The state Department of Health Services keeps a page called free or low-cost health clinics. It is meant for people with little or no health insurance. You can find it by searching for Wisconsin DHS free or low-cost health clinics.

The Wisconsin Primary Health Care Association is the group that represents the state's community health centers, which charge by income and family size. To find a center near you, use the free Find a Health Center tool from the federal Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and enter your zip code. Our guide to community health centers explains what to expect at a visit.

How can I check that a Wisconsin doctor is licensed?

The Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services handles professional licenses, including medical doctors and osteopathic doctors. Its website has a credential verification page with a license lookup. You can find it by searching for Wisconsin DSPS license verification.

The lookup takes only a few minutes and costs nothing.

Direct primary care in Wisconsin

Wisconsin does not have a direct primary care law that we could find. In 2025 the legislature passed a bill on these agreements, but the governor vetoed it in August. The legislature did not override the veto, so it did not become law.

A missing law does not stop a doctor from offering a monthly plan. That only means you should read the agreement closely and ask what it covers. Our directory shows cash-pay doctors by location. A monthly membership is not insurance, so it does not pay for the emergency room or a hospital stay. Our guide on whether it counts as insurance explains more.

Emergencies in Wisconsin

For chest pain, trouble breathing or signs of a stroke, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. A federal law named EMTALA requires every emergency room to examine and stabilize you, insured or not.

Our guides on emergency room care without insurance and hospital financial assistance cover the bill afterward.