Wisconsin’s BadgerCare Plus program operates through eight Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) that vary by county, and the state’s separate Family Care program for long-term care populations requires completely independent enrollment.
What Is the Wisconsin ForwardHealth Portal?
The ForwardHealth Portal is the centralized provider enrollment gateway operated by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS).
ForwardHealth serves as the single source of truth for Wisconsin's Medicaid programs, including BadgerCare Plus and Medicaid SSI. All provider credentials checks, revalidations, and fee-for-service transactions flow through this secure web portal.
Step-by-Step WI Medicaid Enrollment
Register on ForwardHealth
Create account with NPI, Tax ID, WI license, practice info.
Complete Application
Demographics, WI license, specialties, locations, ownership disclosures.
Upload Documents
WI license, NPI, W-9, EIN, liability insurance, DEA, voided check.
Complete Screening
OIG/SAM, WI DSPS verification, DOJ background for high-risk.
Submit
Processing: 30–45 days.
Credential with BadgerCare HMOs
After ForwardHealth approval, credential with HMOs serving your county.
BadgerCare Plus: Wisconsin's Managed Care HMOs
Wisconsin coordinates care for families, children, and pregnant women under the BadgerCare Plus program, utilizing a regional Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) model.
Unlike states with 2-3 plans, Wisconsin contracts with multiple regional HMOs. Key plans include:
| Managed Care Plan / HMO | Parent Company | Primary Service Areas |
|---|---|---|
| UnitedHealthcare Community Plan | UnitedHealth Group | Statewide coverage; highly standardized credentials process. |
| MHS Health Plan | Centene Corporation | Statewide; strong footprint in southern and eastern counties. |
| Dean Health Plan | SSM Health | Dominant presence in south-central Wisconsin/Madison area. |
| Security Health Plan | Marshfield Clinic | Strong network footprint in central and northern Wisconsin. |
| Network Health Plan | Froedtert & MCW | Strong coverage in northeastern Wisconsin and Fox Valley. |
✔ B2B Strategy: Wisconsin HMO availability is highly county-specific. You must cross-reference your service counties in the ForwardHealth directory to identify which regional plans are active. Prioritizing UnitedHealthcare and MHS provides the broadest baseline footprint.
Family Care: Separate LTSS Program
Family Care is Wisconsin’s separate managed long-term care program. Providers serving LTSS populations must enroll separately with Family Care MCOs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does WI enrollment take?
ForwardHealth: 30–45 days. HMO: 30–60 days. Total: 60–105 days.
Do HMOs vary by county?
Yes. Not all eight serve every county. Research your specific county.
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