12-month postpartum Medicaid in Wisconsin
The number
BadgerCare Plus still ends postpartum Medicaid at 60 days — one of a shrinking number of states that have not adopted the federal 12-month option.
What the 12-month postpartum extension covers
BadgerCare Plus has not extended postpartum Medicaid coverage beyond the federal minimum of 60 days. Pregnant-category Medicaid enrollment terminates 60 days after delivery unless you qualify under a different Medicaid category (parent caretaker, disability, expansion adult).
Why this matters: CDC data from the Pregnancy Mortality Surveillance System show roughly 33% of pregnancy-related deaths occur between 43 days and one year postpartum — the window the 60-day cutoff excludes. For Black women, the share of late-postpartum deaths is even higher. The 2021 American Rescue Plan Act (Section 9812) allowed states to extend postpartum coverage to 12 months through a State Plan Amendment, and the vast majority of states have adopted it.
Advocacy status: a 12-month extension legislative proposal is typically working through the state legislature; check the state Medicaid agency's website or the March of Dimes state report card at marchofdimes.org/report-card for current status.
Wisconsin covers childless adults up to 100% of the federal poverty line through BadgerCare Plus Core — the only non-expansion state with a direct adult benefit — but has declined the ACA's enhanced match. Wisconsin also has not adopted the federal 12-month postpartum option; coverage still ends at 60 days. ABC for Health and Wisconsin Alliance for Women's Health have pushed for both changes.
For Black families
Coverage ending at 60 days particularly affects Black birthing people: CDC data show roughly a third of Black pregnancy-related deaths occur between 43 days and one year postpartum, outside the 60-day window. Wisconsin covers childless adults up to 100% of the federal poverty line through BadgerCare Plus Core — the only non-expansion state with a direct adult benefit — but has declined the ACA's enhanced match. Wisconsin also has not adopted the federal 12-month postpartum option; coverage still ends at 60 days. ABC for Health and Wisconsin Alliance for Women's Health have pushed for both changes.
Where to get help in Wisconsin
- Federally Qualified Health Centers in Wisconsin: every FQHC accepts Medicaid, charges on a sliding scale for the uninsured, and has certified application counselors who can help you apply or renew. See our FQHC directory for this state at /clinics/wi/.
- Medicaid-accepting providers in Wisconsin: our provider directory lets you filter to providers in this state. See /providers/wi/.
- State health profile for Wisconsin: for state-level health outcomes context (maternal mortality, infant mortality, life expectancy, uninsured rate) by race, see /health/wisconsin/.
- BadgerCare Plus consumer help line: 1-800-362-3002 for application help, renewal questions, and general Medicaid inquiries. Ask for an interpreter if you need one; language access is required under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.
- Black Mamas Matter Alliance maintains a national directory of Black perinatal organizations at blackmamasmatter.org. Filter to programs serving Wisconsin.
- National Health Law Program (NHeLP) doula tracker: up-to-date Medicaid doula coverage map at healthlaw.org/doulamedicaidproject.
References & primary sources
- BadgerCare Plus, state Medicaid portal: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/badgercareplus/.
- KFF State Health Facts: kff.org/statedata. Medicaid income eligibility + enrollment.
- Medicaid.gov: medicaid.gov. Federal program guidance + state plan amendments.
- March of Dimes 12-month postpartum tracker: marchofdimes.org/report-card.
- CDC Pregnancy Mortality Surveillance System: cdc.gov/reproductivehealth.
Data refreshed: