State of Wisconsin Department of Health Services

Release 24-03 December 18, 2024

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12.4 Migrant Worker Applications

 

12.4.1 Application Methods for Migrant Workers

Migrant workers may apply for BadgerCare Plus or Medicaid using any of the application methods described in section 25.2 Application Methods.

When an application is received from someone who has indicated that they are a migrant worker, the IM agency must determine whether they qualify for the simplified application processing procedure (see section 12.4.2 Simplified Application for Migrant Workers) or the regular application processing procedure (see section 12.4.3 Regular Application Procedure for Migrant Workers).

12.4.2 Simplified Application Procedure for Migrant Workers

Migrant workers and their families can have their eligibility for Medicaid or BadgerCare Plus determined using a simplified application procedure if either of the following conditions are met:

• All household members have current Medicaid eligibility in another state. "Current Medicaid eligibility" means they are eligible for Medicaid in another state for at least the month of their application and the following month. Current Medicaid eligibility can be verified with a copy of the out-of-state Medicaid card or by contacting the other state.
• For at least two consecutive months within the last 12 months, all household members were eligible for Wisconsin Medicaid or BadgerCare Plus, and their eligibility ended only because they no longer reside in Wisconsin.

For migrant worker households that qualify for the simplified application procedure, the IM agency must not collect financial information nor apply any financial tests at application. (see Section 12.3 Financial Eligibility for Migrant Workers). Otherwise, standard BadgerCare Plus and Medicaid application processing procedures apply (see Section 12.2 Nonfinancial Eligibility for Migrant Workers).

For information about renewal dates, see section 12.5.2 Renewal Dates for Migrant Workers.

Example 1

A migrant worker family consisting of a married couple and their three children comes to Wisconsin. On July 3, 2024, they apply for BadgerCare Plus. The family has current Medicaid eligibility in Texas, with a certification period ending on November 30, 2024. All five members of the household are listed on their Texas Medicaid card. The case must be processed using the simplified application procedure because all members of the household have current Medicaid eligibility in Texas. Their renewal month is November 2024 because that is when their annual renewal would have been due in Texas.

Example 2

The family from Example 1 renews their benefits in November 2024. In December 2024, they go back to Texas and BadgerCare Plus closes because they no longer reside in Wisconsin. In July 2025, the family returns to Wisconsin and again applies for BadgerCare Plus. There are no non-financial changes and no changes in household composition. Regardless of whether they have current Medicaid eligibility in Texas, their application must be processed using the simplified application procedure. Their next renewal will be due on the later of the following: If they have current Medicaid eligibility in Texas the month their eligibility in Texas ends. November 2025, which is 12 months after they completed their last renewal in Wisconsin.

12.4.3 Regular Application Procedure for Migrant Workers

For migrant worker households that do not qualify for the simplified application procedure, the standard BadgerCare Plus or Medicaid application procedures must be used, with one exception: annualized earned income must be used when determining their financial eligibility for BadgerCare Plus or Medicaid (see section 12.3 Financial Eligibility for Migrant Workers).

Example 1

A migrant worker applies for BadgerCare Plus on May 1, 2024. Their eligibility in their home state ends on May 31, 2024. Because they do not meet the definition of "current Medicaid eligibility" in another state, they must use the regular application process and provide any required verifications, including financial verification. However, the IM agency must use annualized earned income when determining their financial eligibility for BadgerCare Plus. Their renewal month is April 2025.

Example 2

A migrant worker household applies BadgerCare Plus on May 1, 2024. Their eligibility in their home state ends on July 31, 2024. However, the BadgerCare Plus household now includes the applicant's new spouse who was not eligible for Medicaid in their home state. Because their household now has additional members, they must use the regular application process and provide any required verifications, including financial verification. However, the IM agency must use annualized earned income when determining their financial eligibility for BadgerCare Plus. Their renewal month is April 2025.

 

 

 

 

 

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The information concerning the BadgerCare Plus program provided in this handbook release is published in accordance with: Titles XI, XIX and XXI of the Social Security Act; Parts 430 through 481 of Title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations; Chapter 49 of the Wisconsin Statutes; and Chapters HA 3, DHS 2 and 101 through 109 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code.

Notice: The content within this manual is the sole responsibility of the State of Wisconsin's Department of Health Services (DHS). This site will link to sites outside of DHS where appropriate. DHS is in no way responsible for the content of sites outside of DHS.

Publication Number: P-10171