State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)
Free, unbiased Medicare counseling in Wisconsin. Trained counselors go through your costs and choices with you, and they don't sell plans.
Medicare and health costs
Wisconsin Medicaid in Wisconsin
Wisconsin covers people 65 and older through Medicaid for the Elderly, Blind, or Disabled (EBD), which can pay health costs Medicare doesn't.
You may qualify with income up to the poverty level ($1,330 a month for one person) and savings up to $2,000, and people with higher income can meet a deductible with medical bills. Nursing-home care and community waivers such as Family Care have a higher income limit.
How to apply in Wisconsin
- By phone
- 1-800-362-3002
- In person
- At your income maintenance (IM) agency or tribal agency; Member Services can give you its address and phone number.
Applying is free. Nobody should charge you to apply.
Apply on the official siteWho may qualify in Wisconsin
| One person | Married couple | |
|---|---|---|
| Income limit (from Feb. 1, 2026) | $1,330 a month (100% of the poverty level, Wisconsin's SSI-related medically needy limit) | $1,803.33 a month (100% of the poverty level) |
| Savings limit | $2,000 | $3,000 |
| Spend-down if your income is over the limit | Yes: through SSI-related medically needy coverage, people with income over $1,330 a month for one person ($1,803.33 for two) may qualify by meeting a deductible with medical bills |
|---|---|
| Income limit for nursing-home or home-care Medicaid (2026) | $2,982 a month, for nursing homes and Group B community waivers |
| Medicaid for adults under 65 (expansion) | No: Wisconsin has not adopted the federal Medicaid expansion Source: KFF (source 3) |
How Wisconsin is different
Where Wisconsin's rules differ from the federal rules for Medicaid for people with Medicare.
- Higher income limit: 100% of the poverty level through SSI-related medically needy coverage
- Deductible (spend-down) available for people over the income limit
Good to know
- The SSI-related categorically needy income limit is $1,086.16 a month for one person and $1,636.26 for two (from May 1, 2026).
- Nursing-home residents keep a personal needs allowance of $55 a month.
Free help
Free help with this in Wisconsin
Bureau of Aging and Disability Resources
Your local Area Agency on Aging can help with meals, rides, help at home, caregiver support and applying for benefits.
More help in Wisconsin
Medicaid for older adults in another state
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
Sources
- Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Medicaid Eligibility Handbook 39.4: Elderly, Blind, or Disabled Assets and Income Tables (Release 26-03) (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Medicare Savings Programs (P-10062) (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- KFF, Status of State Medicaid Expansion Decisions. Checked Oct 28, 2026.
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