Governor Doyle Unveils BadgerCare Plus Basic

[We have received the following press release and are pleased to publish it for our readers, especially if they have an insurance coverage need or know of someone who does.]

MADISON - Governor Jim Doyle unveiled a new self-funded health care plan today for adults without dependent children who are on the state health care waiting list. BadgerCare Plus Basic will provide enrollees with limited access to physicians, hospital services, generic prescriptions and catastrophic coverage, and will be paid for entirely through a monthly premium of $130. The Basic plan is not designed to be a long term health coverage plan, but instead will be a bridge plan to keep individuals healthy while they wait for space in the BadgerCare Plus Core Plan.

"With BadgerCare Plus, we've made Wisconsin America's health care leader," Governor Doyle said. "Because of BadgerCare, we've been able to help people get through this very difficult period without facing serious health consequences or financial ruin. Badger Care Basic will provide access to care for those waiting for a spot in the Core Plan, so they can get care when they are sick and don't go bankrupt in the process."

More than 64,000 individuals have enrolled in the state's BadgerCare Plus Core Plan, which suspended new enrollments in mid-October due to budget limits. Since that time, more than 20,000 individuals are on a waitlist for the program. The BadgerCare Plus Core Plan provides standard health benefits for low income adults without dependent children.

For a monthly premium of $130, plus reasonable co-pays, a BadgerCare Plus Basic member will have access to catastrophic coverage plus:

* Up to 10 physician visits each year;
* Limited hospitalization;
* Coverage for first inpatient hospital stay and five outpatient hospital visits;
* Subsequent stays after $7,500 deductible;
* Up to five emergency room visits each year;
* Some generic medications; and
* Badger Rx Gold discount drug membership.

"This will not be a Cadillac health plan," Governor Doyle said. "In fact, it will be just what the name suggests - it will be basic. But basic coverage can be the difference between a treatable condition and a trip to the emergency room. And basic coverage can be the difference between having protection while you try and get your feet back on the ground and going bankrupt trying to pay for medical care."

To be eligible for coverage, individuals must have incomes below 200 percent of the federal poverty level, have no dependent children, and be included on the waiting list for the BadgerCare Plus Core Plan. To find out more about the Core Plan or to apply for the waitlist, please visit: www.badgercareplus.orghttp://www.badgercareplus.org/.