Badgercare Eligibility Calculator

BadgerCare Plus Eligibility Estimator

Your estimated eligibility will appear here.

function calculateBadgerCareEligibility() { var householdSize = parseFloat(document.getElementById('householdSize').value); var monthlyGrossIncome = parseFloat(document.getElementById('monthlyGrossIncome').value); var isPregnant = document.getElementById('isPregnant').checked; var hasChildrenUnder19 = document.getElementById('hasChildrenUnder19').checked; var isParentCaretaker = document.getElementById('isParentCaretaker').checked; var isAdultOnly = document.getElementById('isAdultOnly').checked; var resultDiv = document.getElementById('eligibilityResult'); if (isNaN(householdSize) || householdSize < 1) { resultDiv.innerHTML = 'Please enter a valid household size (1 or more).'; return; } if (isNaN(monthlyGrossIncome) || monthlyGrossIncome < 0) { resultDiv.innerHTML = 'Please enter a valid monthly gross income (0 or more).'; return; } // Example Federal Poverty Level (FPL) guidelines for 2023, monthly amounts // These are illustrative and should be verified with official sources for current year. var fplMonthly = { 1: 1215, 2: 1643, 3: 2072, 4: 2500, 5: 2928, 6: 3357, 7: 3785, 8: 4213 }; var baseFPL; if (householdSize <= 8) { baseFPL = fplMonthly[householdSize]; } else { // For household sizes greater than 8, add $428 for each additional person baseFPL = fplMonthly[8] + (householdSize – 8) * 428; } if (baseFPL === undefined) { resultDiv.innerHTML = 'Could not determine FPL for the given household size. Please check inputs.'; return; } var incomeAsFPLPercentage = (monthlyGrossIncome / baseFPL) * 100; var eligibilityMessage = ''; var eligible = false; // BadgerCare Plus eligibility thresholds (illustrative, based on common categories) // These percentages can vary and are subject to change. var pregnantChildFPL = 300; // Up to 300% FPL for pregnant individuals and children var adultParentFPL = 100; // Up to 100% FPL for adults and parents/caretakers (often with a 5% disregard, but simplified here) if (isPregnant && incomeAsFPLPercentage <= pregnantChildFPL) { eligible = true; eligibilityMessage = 'Based on your household income and pregnancy status, you may be eligible for BadgerCare Plus (up to ' + pregnantChildFPL + '% FPL for pregnant individuals).'; } else if (hasChildrenUnder19 && incomeAsFPLPercentage <= pregnantChildFPL) { eligible = true; eligibilityMessage = 'Based on your household income and the presence of children under 19, your children may be eligible for BadgerCare Plus (up to ' + pregnantChildFPL + '% FPL for children).'; } else if (isParentCaretaker && incomeAsFPLPercentage <= adultParentFPL) { eligible = true; eligibilityMessage = 'Based on your household income and your role as a parent/caretaker, you may be eligible for BadgerCare Plus (up to ' + adultParentFPL + '% FPL for parents/caretakers).'; } else if (isAdultOnly && incomeAsFPLPercentage <= adultParentFPL) { eligible = true; eligibilityMessage = 'Based on your household income as an adult without dependent children, you may be eligible for BadgerCare Plus (up to ' + adultParentFPL + '% FPL for adults).'; } else { eligible = false; eligibilityMessage = 'Based on the information provided, your household income of $' + monthlyGrossIncome.toFixed(2) + ' (' + incomeAsFPLPercentage.toFixed(1) + '% of FPL) appears to be above the general BadgerCare Plus eligibility limits for the categories selected. However, specific circumstances can vary.'; } var resultColor = eligible ? '#28a745' : '#dc3545'; var resultHeader = eligible ? 'Likely Eligible!' : 'Likely Not Eligible'; resultDiv.innerHTML = `

${resultHeader}

Your Estimated FPL Percentage: ${incomeAsFPLPercentage.toFixed(1)}% ${eligibilityMessage} Disclaimer: This is an estimate based on simplified FPL guidelines and common BadgerCare Plus categories. Actual eligibility depends on many factors, including specific income calculations (Modified Adjusted Gross Income – MAGI), assets, residency, and current program rules. Always apply through official channels (e.g., ACCESS Wisconsin) for a definitive determination. `; }

Understanding BadgerCare Plus Eligibility in Wisconsin

BadgerCare Plus is a Wisconsin health care program for low-income individuals and families. It provides comprehensive health coverage, including doctor visits, hospital stays, prescription drugs, and more. Eligibility for BadgerCare Plus is primarily based on your household's Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) compared to the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) for your household size.

Key Factors for Eligibility

While the rules can be complex, the main factors determining BadgerCare Plus eligibility include:

• Household Size: The total number of people in your household, including yourself, your spouse, and dependents.
• Monthly Gross Income: Your total household income before taxes and other deductions. BadgerCare Plus uses a specific calculation called Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI), which may differ slightly from your gross income.
• Household Composition: Eligibility thresholds vary significantly based on whether your household includes pregnant individuals, children under 19, parents/caretaker relatives, or adults without dependent children.
• Federal Poverty Level (FPL): This is a set of income thresholds determined annually by the federal government. BadgerCare Plus uses percentages of the FPL to set income limits for different groups. For example, children and pregnant individuals often have higher FPL limits (e.g., up to 300% FPL) than non-parent adults (e.g., up to 100% FPL).

How the Calculator Works

Our BadgerCare Plus Eligibility Estimator helps you get a quick idea of whether you might qualify. Here's what it considers:

1. Household Size: You input the total number of people in your household.
2. Monthly Gross Income: You provide your total monthly income before deductions.
3. Household Composition: You indicate if your household includes pregnant individuals, children under 19, parents/caretaker relatives, or if the primary applicant is an adult without dependent children.

The calculator then compares your income to the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) for your household size, applying the typical FPL percentage thresholds for different BadgerCare Plus categories. It will then provide an estimated eligibility status.

Important Considerations and Examples

It's crucial to remember that this calculator provides an estimate. Actual eligibility is determined by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) through the ACCESS Wisconsin website or local agencies. Here are some examples of how eligibility might vary:

Example 1: Family with Children

• Household Size: 3 (2 adults, 1 child under 19)
• Monthly Gross Income: $3,000
• FPL for 3 people (approx.): $2,072/month
• Income as % of FPL: ($3,000 / $2,072) * 100 = ~144.8%
• Calculator Result: Likely Eligible for children (up to 300% FPL for children). Parents might also be eligible if their income is within the parent/caretaker limits (e.g., up to 100% FPL).

Example 2: Pregnant Individual

• Household Size: 1 (pregnant individual)
• Monthly Gross Income: $2,500
• FPL for 1 person (approx.): $1,215/month
• Income as % of FPL: ($2,500 / $1,215) * 100 = ~205.8%
• Calculator Result: Likely Eligible (up to 300% FPL for pregnant individuals).

Example 3: Single Adult (Non-Parent)

• Household Size: 1
• Monthly Gross Income: $1,500
• FPL for 1 person (approx.): $1,215/month
• Income as % of FPL: ($1,500 / $1,215) * 100 = ~123.4%
• Calculator Result: Likely Not Eligible (typically up to 100% FPL for adults without dependent children).

Always apply through official channels to get a definitive eligibility determination. The FPL numbers used in this calculator are examples and may not reflect the most current guidelines. Please refer to the official Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) website for the most up-to-date information.