Wisconsin Medicaid: 2026 Income Limits and Moving In or Out
Moving TO Wisconsin
BadgerCare Plus (Wisconsin's Medicaid program) does not accept transferred cases from other states: every new Wisconsin resident applies fresh through Wisconsin Department of Health Services. There is no waiting period tied to how recently you arrived — eligibility is decided on Wisconsin's own income and household rules from the day you become a resident.
Leaving Wisconsin
Leaving Wisconsin ends your BadgerCare Plus (Wisconsin's Medicaid program) case — no state will take it over. Close the case with Wisconsin Department of Health Services effective your move month, then apply in your destination state immediately after arriving.
Official agency: Wisconsin Department of Health Services ↗ (application page)
Wisconsin Medicaid at a glance
| Program name | BadgerCare Plus |
|---|---|
| ACA Medicaid expansion | No — but adults are covered on income up to 100% FPL |
| Adult income limit | 100% of the federal poverty level |
| Processing | Federal 45-day standard (90 days for disability determinations) |
Wisconsin Medicaid income limits for adults (2026)
Wisconsin did not adopt the ACA expansion, but it covers adults on income up to 100% of the federal poverty level without requiring a category such as disability or pregnancy. Federal law (Public Law 119-21) may also add a work condition for adults covered this way from January 1, 2027 (earlier in some states, and later only in a state granted an extension, which cannot run past 2028): 80 hours a month of work, school, job training, or community service, unless they are exempt (for example, parents of a child 13 or under, pregnant people, and people with a disability).
| Household size | Monthly income limit | Yearly income limit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $1,330 | $15,960 |
| 2 people | $1,804 | $21,640 |
| 3 people | $2,277 | $27,320 |
| 4 people | $2,750 | $33,000 |
| 5 people | $3,224 | $38,680 |
| 6 people | $3,697 | $44,360 |
| 7 people | $4,170 | $50,040 |
| 8 people | $4,644 | $55,720 |
| Each additional person | +$474 | +$5,680 |
- Computed as 100% of the 2026 HHS poverty guidelines (48 contiguous states and DC), rounded up to the dollar. Wisconsin's own chart controls, and states often switch to the new year's guidelines partway through the year — so the agency's chart may still show lower 2025 figures.
- The adult limit counts income under MAGI (modified adjusted gross income) rules. Children and pregnant people usually have higher limits; people 65+ or with a disability are assessed under different, non-MAGI rules that often include an asset test — ask the agency below.
Federal source: HHS 2026 Poverty Guidelines (91 FR 1797) (published 2026-01-15)
How to apply for Medicaid in Wisconsin
Apply with Wisconsin Department of Health Services online at access.wisconsin.gov, which runs the program as BadgerCare Plus. Go to the official application page ↗
Processing time: Federal 45-day standard (90 days for disability determinations).
Common questions
What is the Medicaid income limit in Wisconsin for 2026?
For adults, 100% of the federal poverty level: about $1,330 a month for one person and $2,750 a month for a family of four in 2026. Children, pregnant people, and people 65+ or with a disability have separate limits.
Can I keep Wisconsin Medicaid if I move to another state?
No. Medicaid covers residents only, so Wisconsin coverage ends once you live elsewhere. Report the move to Wisconsin Department of Health Services and apply in your new state right away; eligibility there is decided on that state's own rules.
How do I apply for Medicaid in Wisconsin?
Apply with Wisconsin Department of Health Services online at access.wisconsin.gov, which runs the program as BadgerCare Plus. Processing time: federal 45-day standard (90 days for disability determinations).
Who runs Medicaid in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin Department of Health Services, which runs the program as BadgerCare Plus. The official page and application link are cited below — always act through them.
Does Wisconsin make new residents wait for Medicaid?
No state may impose a residency waiting period for Medicaid. You apply as soon as you live in Wisconsin; eligibility is decided on Wisconsin's own rules.
Where do I report that I'm leaving Wisconsin?
Contact Wisconsin Department of Health Services (official link below) to report the move and close your case effective your move month.
Every move involving Wisconsin
From Wisconsin to…
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
To Wisconsin from…
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
Other benefits in Wisconsin
- SNAP in Wisconsin
- WIC in Wisconsin
- Unemployment in Wisconsin
- TANF in Wisconsin
- Medicaid in every state
- State benefits statistics
Terms on this page: Federal poverty level (FPL) · Medicaid expansion · Retroactive Medicaid coverage
Official sources
Every fact above was checked against these official pages. Last verified .
- Wisconsin DHS — BadgerCare Plus — accessed 2026-08-08
- Wisconsin BadgerCare Plus Eligibility Handbook — 16.1 Income — accessed 2026-08-08