Dear Student Legal Clinic,
I have been on the waiting list for Badger Care Core for two years.  Do you know how fast the list is moving?
Signed Karola

Dear Karola,
The new Health Care Reform Law is due to be implemented in January 2014.  Therefore, the State of Wisconsin will abolish Badger Care Core and all eligible participants will be on the same Badger Care Program which must meet Federal requirements.
If your income is less than $11,470 per year, you may be eligible for Badger Care beginning on Jan. 1.  You should receive a letter this fall advising you to apply for Badger Care at www.access.wisconsin.gov after Nov. 28.
If your income is over $11,470, you should apply for insurance on the new Health Care Marketplace Exchange starting on Oct. 1.
Wisconsin has opted to use the Federal Exchange.
You may be eligible to receive a subsidy to buy insurance on the Exchange and you will have to pay a tax penalty if you do not buy insurance.
You can get more information about the new Marketplace Exchange at HealthCare.gov where you can chat with a Marketplace Representative online.  Or you can call 1-800-318-2596.  TTY users should call 1-855-889-4325.

For other civil legal issues, please call Mary O’Leary at 297-6630, email [email protected], or stop in Room M346 at the downtown campus.

Federal poverty level guidelines
are available at the
Wisconsin Department of Health
Services website.