HHS Secretary Dennis Smith
Thousands of BadgerCare enrollees can expect to learn how much their premiums will increase. Department of Health Services Secretary Dennis Smith expects the majority of those will decide to maintain coverage under the program. “We estimate about seventy percent,” Smith said following a Wednesday Madison luncheon sponsored by Wisconsin Health News. “That’s the number that’s been out there, based on solid assumptions.”
BadgerCare Plus enrollees will receive two notices regarding the premium increases which are due to take effect July 1st. The first went out this week. The second, more detailed, will be received 15 days before the premium increases take effect on July 1st.
Federal officials last week announced approval of plans by the Walker administration to cut Medicaid program costs. DHS estimate some 17,000 will choose to leave BadgerCare Plus, or will be turned away. Smith said the increased premiums are about fairness, and will bring premiums in line with what families will have to pay under the federal health care reforms.
READ: BadgerCare Plus premium chart (PDF)