• Home
  • News
    • Politics / Govt
    • Legislature
    • Crime / Courts
    • Health / Medicine
    • Archives
  • Sports
    • Badgers
    • Packers
      • Titletown Report
    • Brewers
  • Contact Us
    • Reporters
  • Affiliates
    • Affiliate Support

Wisconsin Radio Network

Wisconsin News and Sports

You are here: Home / Health / Medicine / State freezes BadgerCare Basic

State freezes BadgerCare Basic

March 18, 2011 By Andrew Beckett

Only nine months after it started, the Department of Health Services says expenditures for the BadgerCare Basic program have outgrown premium revenues by nearly $2 million. To help control those costs, the Department says it is putting a freeze on new enrollments, effective today.

DHS Secretary Dennis Smith says the move is unfortunate, but the design of the program is unsustainable and the freeze will keep costs from being shifted to taxpayers. Smith says the program is a prime example of “good intentions that created unrealistic expectations.”

BadgerCare Basic was designed to be a self-funded health care program for adults without dependent children who are unable to enroll in the BadgerCare Core plan. Through February of this year, Smith says it has taken in $4.18 million in premium revenue and paid out $5.83 million in claims.

However, Smith warns the program’s deficit could end up being much larger because of a three month delay in claims being filed. He says DHS believes the deficit could actually be closer to $5.7 million when all claims are in.

Smith says DHS will work to maintain coverage for those already enrolled and help new applicants find alternatives. The Department is also indicating that premium increases could on the way in the coming months.

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Filed Under: Health / Medicine



Featured Stories

Wisconsin veterans cheer passage of PACT Act

Lasry leaves U.S. Senate race and endorses Barnes

Trump will host Waukesha campaign rally for Tim Michels

U.S. House passes Respect for Marriage Act

Former UW Chancellor Blank’s cancer diagnosis means she will not take Northwestern job

TwitterFacebook

Sports Headlines

Giannis breaks franchise scoring record, Bucks beat Nets in OT

Wisconsin’s Davis declares for NBA Draft

Badgers to face Arizona State in Las Vegas Bowl

Williams likely out for the season with broken hand

Packers releasing TE Jace Sternberger

More Sports

Tweets by @WRN

Get our news delivered to your inbox:

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Copyright © 2022 · Learfield News & Ag, LLC