BadgerCare Plus is Wisconsin's health care program for low-income adults, pregnant women, and children. Eligibility is primarily based on household income relative to the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) and household size. This calculator provides an *estimate* of eligibility for the main BadgerCare Plus Core-Newborn and BadgerCare Plus Prenatal Care programs.
How BadgerCare Plus Works:
BadgerCare Plus uses Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) to determine eligibility. The program has different income limits for various groups, including pregnant women, children, and adults without dependent children.
Key Eligibility Factors:
Household Income: Your total annual income after certain deductions.
Household Size: The number of people who live together and share financial resources.
Pregnancy Status: Pregnant individuals often have different eligibility rules.
Dependent Children: The presence of dependent children can affect eligibility for certain adults.
The Calculation Logic (Simplified):
This calculator uses simplified income thresholds based on the most recent Federal Poverty Level (FPL) guidelines. These guidelines are updated annually. The exact FPL percentages for BadgerCare eligibility can change, so this calculator is an approximation.
General Guidelines:
Adults (without dependent children, not pregnant): Typically eligible if household income is at or below 100% of the FPL for their household size.
Pregnant Women: Often eligible if household income is at or below 185% of the FPL for their household size.
Children: Eligibility for children can extend to higher FPL percentages, often up to 300% or more, depending on the specific CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Program) guidelines in Wisconsin.
Adults with Dependent Children: Eligibility rules can be complex and depend on the children's eligibility status and the adults' circumstances.
Disclaimer: This calculator is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a guarantee of eligibility. For official determination, please apply through the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) or your local county social services agency. Income verification and other factors will be assessed during the official application process.
Example Calculation:
For a household of 3 with an annual income of $30,000, the income per person is approximately $10,000. If the FPL for a household of 3 is $27,750 (this is an example number, actual FPL varies), then $30,000 is roughly 108% of the FPL.
If the individual is pregnant, and the limit is 185% FPL, they would likely be eligible.
If the individual is an adult without dependent children, and the limit is 100% FPL, they would likely be ineligible.
If the household has dependent children, and the children's eligibility extends to 200% FPL, the children would likely be eligible.
function calculateEligibility() {
var householdIncome = parseFloat(document.getElementById("householdIncome").value);
var householdSize = parseInt(document.getElementById("householdSize").value);
var isPregnant = document.getElementById("pregnant").value;
var hasChildren = document.getElementById("children").value;
var resultDiv = document.getElementById("result");
resultDiv.textContent = ""; // Clear previous result
resultDiv.className = "result"; // Reset class
// Basic validation
if (isNaN(householdIncome) || isNaN(householdSize) || householdSize 8
var incomePercentageOfFPL = (householdIncome / fplForSize) * 100;
var eligible = false;
var message = "";
// Eligibility rules are complex and have nuances. This is a simplified model.
// Rule 1: Children generally have the highest eligibility limits.
// Rule 2: Pregnant women have higher limits than non-pregnant adults.
// Rule 3: Adults without dependent children have the lowest limits.
if (hasChildren === "yes") {
// Children can often be covered up to 300% FPL (or higher through ACA premium subsidies if not eligible for BadgerCare)
// This simplified calculator assumes BadgerCare coverage extends up to 300% FPL for children.
if (incomePercentageOfFPL <= 300) {
eligible = true;
message = "Likely Eligible (Children)";
} else {
message = "Likely Ineligible (Income too high for children's coverage)";
}
} else if (isPregnant === "yes") {
// Pregnant women often eligible up to 185% FPL
if (incomePercentageOfFPL <= 185) {
eligible = true;
message = "Likely Eligible (Pregnant)";
} else {
message = "Likely Ineligible (Income too high for pregnant coverage)";
}
} else {
// Adults without dependent children and not pregnant typically eligible up to 100% FPL
if (incomePercentageOfFPL <= 100) {
eligible = true;
message = "Likely Eligible (Adult)";
} else {
message = "Likely Ineligible (Income too high for adult coverage)";
}
}
if (eligible) {
resultDiv.textContent = "Estimated Eligibility: " + message;
resultDiv.className = "result eligible";
} else {
resultDiv.textContent = "Estimated Eligibility: Not Eligible";
resultDiv.className = "result ineligible";
}
}