10.2 Apply for Benefits: Applicant
After submitting an application for health care using ACCESS, the applicant or member can choose an HMO preference if there is a household member who may be eligible for BadgerCare Plus or SSI Medicaid.
| Note | When the applicant or member chooses an HMO, or chooses to have an HMO selected for them, they are not enrolled in an HMO at that time. Only after their application is processed and they are found eligible for BadgerCare Plus or SSI Medicaid can they be enrolled in an HMO they chose earlier. |
10.2.1 Apply for Benefits Home
On the Your to-do list page, a to-do list displays.
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In the Your to-do list section expand the Choose your HMO preference tab. Select Start task to get to the HMO preferences section.
10.2.2 Choose an HMO
Applicants can choose a preferred HMO before they are approved for health care. The HMOs available to choose depends on whether they are expected to go into BadgerCare Plus or SSI Medicaid.
10.2.2.1 BadgerCare Plus Preferences
This page displays when the applicant is expected to enter BadgerCare Plus. The names of household members that may be eligible for BadgerCare Plus displays.
| Note | All members in the household enrolled in BadgerCare Plus must be enrolled in the same HMO. |
Choose an HMO by selecting one of the following options:
- I want to select an HMO Plan
- Enroll me in an HMO Plan automatically
- Skip this step
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If the applicant chose, I want to select an HMO Plan, First HMO preference plan options display. The applicant selects the HMO preference based on the HMOs available in their service area. If more than one HMO is available and the applicant wants to make a second choice, select Add second preference.
Once all preferences are made for the applicant and all household members, select Next to get to the Review preferences page.
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| Note | Applicants can select Try our Compare HMOs tool to get to the Compare HMOs page for useful information on choosing an HMO, see SECTION 10.3.1.2 COMPARE HMOS. |
10.2.2.2 SSI-Related Medicaid Preferences
This page displays when the applicant is expected to enter SSI-Related Medicaid. The names of household members that may be eligible for this program displays.
| Note | Each member in the household enrolled in SSI Related Medicaid can select a different HMO. |
Choose an HMO by selecting one of the following options:
- I want to select an HMO Plan
- Enroll me in an HMO Plan automatically
- Skip this step
If the applicant chose, I want to select an HMO Plan, First HMO preference plan options display. The applicant then selects the HMO preference based on the HMOs available in their service area. If more than one HMO is available and the applicant wants to make a second choice, select Add second preference.
Once all preferences are made for the applicant and all household members, select Next to get to the Review preferences page.
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| Note | Applicants can select Try our Compare HMOs tool to get to the Compare HMOs page for useful information on choosing an HMO, see SECTION 10.3.1.2 COMPARE HMOS. |
10.2.2.3 Fee for Service
Applicants who have only one HMO plan available in their service area can select that HMO or select Fee for Service coverage (which allows a person to choose any provider that accepts BadgerCare Plus or SSI Medicaid and is open to new patients).
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Select Next to get to the Review preferences page.
10.2.2.4 Skip This Step
After choosing Skip this step, the following pop-up window displays:
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- Select Choose an HMO to return to the Choose an HMO page.
- Select Skip this step to get to the Review preferences page.
10.2.3 Review Your HMO Choice
On the Review your HMO choice page, review the choices(s) made by the applicant, the choice made for them automatically, or no choice made by the applicant.
10.2.3.1 HMO Choice Made by or for the Applicant
On this page, review the HMO plan choice(s) for the applicant and people in the household who would be enrolled in the plan if their health care is approved.
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10.2.3.2 No HMO Choice Made by the Applicant
On this page is the statement, We will select one for you. The member receives a letter with the HMO selected for them.
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10.2.4 Changing an HMO Choice
People can see the status of their application from their ACCESS homepage or the Results page. They can change their choice of HMO, but only when the application is in a Submitted status (which means the Income Maintenance agency has not yet processed it).
To update an HMO choice, the applicant can either:
- Select Manage your HMO choice on the ACCESS homepage.
- Select Update Choices on the Manage your HMO page.
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| Note | After the health care application is processed, a member can change their HMO enrollment, see SECTION 10.3.1.1 CHANGE HMO or by calling an HMO enrollment specialist at 1-800-291-2002. |
This page last updated in Release Number: 25-01
Release Date: 10/18/2025
Effective Date: 10/18/2025