15.5 Express Enrollment Application Process

This section details the Express Enrollment application process. Users should keep in mind that the application is dynamic depending on the answers to questions, so the images in this section may not exactly reflect the appearance of the application pages.

Reminder

ACCESS for Partners and Providers (APP) pages contain a link to change the on-screen text to Spanish and a Help button, which, when selected, opens a new page that explains more about what is being asked and how questions should be answered.

15.5.1 Submit Express Enrollment Applications

Note	Although security administrators and users can submit Express Enrollment applications, this section uses the term user to refer to both types of users.

To start an Express Enrollment application to temporarily enroll someone in BadgerCare Plus or Family Planning Only Services, select Create application on the ACCESS for Partners and Providers homepage.

Multiple individuals from the same household who want Express Enrollment in BadgerCare Plus can be included on the same Express Enrollment for BadgerCare Plus application. However, only one individual can be included on an Express Enrollment for Family Planning Only Services application, even if the individual is a minor, is married, and/or has children. If multiple individuals in the same household want Express Enrollment for Family Planning Only Services, users must complete separate Express Enrollment for Family Planning Only Services applications for each individual.

15.5.2 Program Selection Page

Once the user has chosen Create application, the Program Selection page displays. Select a location from the Location drop-down menu. Under Submit Express Enrollment applications for: select either Family Planning Only Services (FPOS) or BadgerCare Plus (BC+).

The Back button takes the user to the ACCESS for Partners and Providers homepage.

The Save and next button takes the user to the Individual details page.

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15.5.3 Individual Details Page

The Individual details page displays. This page collects information about the individual(s) who is applying for Express Enrollment.

For each individual in the household who wants to temporarily enroll in BadgerCare Plus or Family Planning Only Services through the Express Enrollment process, the user must enter the individual’s first name and last name. The user should enter the individual’s legal name. If the individual has two last names, the user should enter them both in the last name box. If the name doesn’t fit in the boxes, the user should enter as much of the name as possible.

The user may add individuals for the household by selecting the Add button at the bottom of the Individual Information page. If the user needs to delete an individual, they should select the Delete button on the right side of the entry for that individual.

Reminder

Only one individual can be included on an Express Enrollment for Family Planning Only Services application, even if the individual is a minor, is married, and/or has children. If multiple individuals in the same household want Express Enrollment for Family Planning Only Services, the user must complete separate Express Enrollment for Family Planning Only Services applications for each individual.

Depending on the information entered for an individual, additional questions may display. The following information may be requested:

Current enrollment in Wisconsin Medicaid or BadgerCare Plus
The individual is not eligible for temporary enrollment if they are already receiving ongoing benefits. See SECTION 15.2.1.1 CURRENT ENROLLMENT IN ONGOING BENEFITS for more information on the situations where this applies.

Parent or caretaker status
A parent is any biological, legally adoptive, or stepparent of a child under age 19. In order for an individual to be considered a parent of a child under age 19, the child must live with that individual at least 40 percent of the time.

A caretaker is a non-legally responsible relative of a child under their care, meaning the caretaker exercises primary responsibility for the child’s care and control, including making plans for the child. To be considered a caretaker relative of a child in the home, an individual must have a qualifying relationship to the child under age 19, and the child must be under the care of the individual. Qualifying relationships for caretaker relatives consist of the following:

Stepparent (when the parent is deceased or divorced/separated from the stepparent).
Biological full or half sibling, legally adopted, or stepsibling.
Grandparent, uncle or aunt, first cousin, nephew or niece, or any preceding generation denoted by the prefix grand-, great-, or great-great (including those through adoption).

Spouse of any of the above and the spouse of a child’s parent, even after the marriage ends by death, divorce, or separation. A spouse is that person recognized by Wisconsin law as another person’s legal spouse. Wisconsin does not recognize common law marriage.

Note	If a child is married, they can no longer be considered under the care of a caretaker relative.

Citizenship or immigration status
See SECTION 15.2.2.3 U.S. CITIZEN OR QUALIFYING IMMIGRANT for more information about citizenship or immigration status requirements.
Previous Express Enrollment
See SECTION 15.2.1.2 TEMPORARY ENROLLMENT WITHIN THE LAST 12 MONTHS for more information about previous Express Enrollment.
Former Foster Care Youth status
A Former Foster Care Youth is an individual age 18 through 25 who was receiving foster care, subsidized guardianship, or court-ordered kinship care on the date that they turned 18. It does not matter what state they are residing in when they turned 18.
Currently receiving Medicare Part A or Part B
If an adult without dependent children in the home is currently receiving Medicare Part A or Part B, they are not eligible to temporarily enroll in BadgerCare Plus through the Express Enrollment process.
Pregnancy status
If an individual is currently pregnant, additional questions about the number of babies expected and the expected delivery date displays. If the number of expected babies is unknown, the user should enter 1. If the exact due date is not known, the user should provide the best estimate based on information provided by the individual.

The following image is an example of the questions that display when the applicant is a pregnant person.

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The following image is an example of the questions that display when the applicant is an adult under age 26 without minor children.

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The Exit button takes the user to the ACCESS for Partners and Providers homepage, and the application is not saved.

The Save and next button takes the user to the Primary contact details page.

15.5.4 Primary Contact Details Page

The Primary contact details page collects information about the primary contact for the Express Enrollment application, where the individual(s) lives and the best method to contact them.

Primary Contact Person

For Express Enrollment for BadgerCare Plus, the primary contact person depends on who is applying. If the person is under age 18 and is not living independently, they must have a parent, caretaker, or guardian apply for Express Enrollment for BadgerCare Plus for them.

For Express Enrollment for Family Planning Only Services, there is always only one individual on the application, this individual is designated as the primary contact person. A minor applying for Express Enrollment for Family Planning Only Services does not need a parent, caretaker, or guardian to apply for them, even if they are not living independently.

Express Enrollment application including individuals age 18 or older and minors

If the Express Enrollment application includes at least one individual age 18 or older and at least one minor, a drop-down menu displays with the names of all the individuals on the application who are age 18 or older and an additional Other Parent/Caretaker option. The user must choose one individual from the drop-down menu as the primary contact person. If another person who is in the household but not on the Express Enrollment application wants to be the primary contact person, the user should choose the Other Parent/Caretaker option. If the Other Parent/Caretaker option is selected, the user must enter the following information for that individual into the Express Enrollment application:

First and last name
SSN, if SSN is not known, the user should select the SSN is not known button
Date of birth
Gender

Express Enrollment application for only minors

If the Express Enrollment application includes only people under age 18, the user must indicate for each person whether or not the person is living independently.

If all people on the application are under age 18 and living independently, the oldest person is automatically designated as the primary contact person.

If the people under age 18 on the application are not living independently, the user must enter the following information of the parent, guardian or other caretaker who is applying for them:

First and last name
SSN, if SSN is not known, the user should select the SSN is not known button
Date of birth
Gender

Home Address

The user must first enter the street address where the individuals on the application live. If they are homeless, the user still needs to enter an address. This can be the address where they are currently staying (for example, with a friend, family member, shelter or other organization). If they are homeless and do not have an address where they are currently staying, the user can enter the address of the IM agency of the county where the individuals reside. IM agency addresses can be found at dhs.wisconsin.gov/forwardhealth/imagency/index.htm.

After entering the street address, the user must choose the county where the individuals on the application live.

If the individuals live on tribal lands, the user should select the appropriate tribe from the drop-down menu. If the individuals do not live on tribal lands, this field can be left blank.

Reminder

Only Wisconsin residents are eligible to temporarily enroll in BadgerCare Plus or Family Planning Only Services through Express Enrollment.

Mailing Address

If the mailing address is different than the home address, select Yes from the drop-down menu to the question, Do you have a separate mailing address and enter the complete mailing address, including ZIP code.

If no mailing address is entered, notices are sent to the home address. If a mailing address is entered, notices are sent to the mailing address.

If the individuals on the application are homeless, the user should enter the most reliable address where the individuals can receive mail about their enrollment.

If homeless individuals have no alternative mailing address, select No from the drop-down menu to the question, Do you have a separate mailing address. If the home address entered is the address of the IM agency, the user must instruct the individuals to contact the IM agency for information on picking up their notices.

Contact Information

The user must enter the information the primary contact person has provided on how to get in touch with them. A Message phone is a phone number where the primary contact person can be reached or where a message can be left with them. This could be voicemail or the phone number of an organization, family member or friend. If there is no contact information, these fields can be left blank.

The following image is an example of the Primary contact details page when the application includes multiple adults.

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The following image is an example of the Primary contact details page when the application only includes minors.

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The Exit button takes the user to the ACCESS for Partners and Providers homepage, and the application is not saved.

The Back button takes the user back to the Individual details page.

The Save and next button takes the user to the Income details page.

15.5.5 Income Details Page

The Income details page collects information about the household income.

15.5.5.1 Household Size

For Express Enrollment for BadgerCare Plus, the household size must include all members of the household, even if they are not requesting Express Enrollment and are not listed on the application. Household members include:

Children under age 19. If the child is married, their spouse should also be included.
The biological, legally adoptive or stepparents living with the children under age 19.
Spouses.
Caretaker relatives.
For a pregnant person, the number of babies they are expecting.

For Express Enrollment for Family Planning Only Services, the household size can only be 1 regardless of whether the individual is under age 18, married and/or has children, so this field is automatically filled with 1.

15.5.5.2 Monthly Earned Income

For Express Enrollment for BadgerCare Plus, earned income from all household members listed in Section 15.5.5.1 Household Size, should be reported, even if they are not requesting Express Enrollment and are not listed on the application.

For Express Enrollment for Family Planning Only Services, only the earned income of the individual on the application should be reported.

Earned income is income resulting from performing a job or providing a service. Earned income includes commissions, tips, salaries, wages and self-employment. To calculate the amount of the monthly earned income, the user must first determine how the employee is paid:

Paid Hourly: If the employee is paid hourly, the user must multiply the number of hours worked per week by the amount of pay per hour and then multiply that amount by 4 to get the monthly income. The user should count monthly income before taxes are taken out but after any pre-tax deductions are taken out of the paycheck. Any overtime or weekend pay should also be counted.
Paid a Salary: If the employee is paid a salary, the user must enter the monthly amount of the salary. If the salary is based on a yearly amount, the user should divide the yearly amount by 12 to determine the monthly amount. The user should count monthly income before taxes are taken out but after any pre-tax deductions are taken out of the paycheck.
Tips and Commission: If the employee is paid in tips or commission, the user should count the average amount of tips or commission received monthly.
Self-employment Income: Self-employment income (income earned directly from one’s own business, rather than earned as an employee with a specified salary or wages from an employer) should be counted as monthly earned income. However, self-employment expenses (the monthly average of expenses) should be deducted from self-employment income to determine the net self-employment amount.
Student income: Income earned from work-study jobs should be counted as monthly earned income.

The following should not be counted as monthly earned income:

Tax refunds, including Earned Income Tax Credits payments
Allowances

Note

Former Foster Care Youth are not subject to the income eligibility criteria. If an individual is a Former Foster Care Youth and is the only person in the household, the user should enter income amounts of $0. If an individual is a Former Foster Care Youth and is on the same Express Enrollment for BadgerCare Plus application as other household members, the user must include the Former Foster Care Youth’s income since it must be considered when determining the eligibility of the other household members. The Former Foster Care Youth’s income is not considered when determining the Former Foster Care Youth’s eligibility.

15.5.5.3 Monthly Other Income

For Express Enrollment for BadgerCare Plus, other monthly income from all household members listed in Section 15.5.5.1 HOUSEHOLD SIZE, should be reported, even if they are not requesting Express Enrollment and are not listed on the application.

For Express Enrollment for Family Planning Only Services, only the other monthly income of the individual on the application should be reported.

Other monthly income includes taxable income from a source other than a job or self-employment. For example:

Social Security (gross amounts should be used)
Unemployment
Pensions (only the taxable amount should be counted)
Annuity payments (only the taxable amount should be counted)
Insurance benefits
Payments received for the rental of rooms, apartments, dwelling units, buildings or land (if not reported as self-employment income). Taxes and the expense of property maintenance may be deducted
Income from Tribal Per Capita payments from gaming revenue

The following should not be counted as other monthly income:

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Student loans
Student financial aid including grants, scholarships and fellowships
Child support income
Workers’ compensation
Veteran’s benefits
Reimbursement for expenses that the applicant has incurred or paid, except for reimbursement for normal household living expenses such as rent, clothing or food eaten at home
Foster care or subsidized adoption payments
Life insurance policy dividends
Payments made by a third party directly to landlords or other vendors
Governmental (federal, state, or local) rent and housing subsidies, including payments made directly to the applicant for housing or utility costs (for example, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) utility allowances)
Nutrition-related benefits, such as FoodShare Wisconsin

The Exit button takes the user to the ACCESS for Partners and Providers homepage, and the application is not saved.

The Back button takes the user back to the Primary contact details page.

The Save and next button takes the user to the Provider signature page.

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15.5.6 Provider Signature Page

The Provider signature page collects the electronic signature of the user completing the Express Enrollment application.

The user must review the Rights and responsibilities with the primary contact person.
The user's and the primary contact person’s name is listed at the bottom of the page. After reading the statement the user must enter their signature by checking the box in front of the statement.

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The Exit button takes the user to the ACCESS for Partners and Providers homepage, and the application is not saved.

The Back button takes the user back to the Income details page.

The Save and next button takes the user to the Primary contact person signature page.

15.5.7 Primary Contact Person Signature Page

The Primary contact person signature page displays a summary of all the information entered on the Express Enrollment application. The user must ask the primary contact person to review all the information to make sure it is accurate.

The primary contact person’s name is listed at the bottom of the page. Once the primary contact person has reviewed the summary and read the statement, the primary contact person should check the box verifying that their information is correct and sign the application by typing their first and last name in the appropriate boxes.

Reminder

The primary contact person must sign the application in person. Telephonic signatures are not allowed for Express Enrollment.

The Exit button takes the user to the ACCESS for Partners and Providers homepage, and the application is not saved.

The Back button takes the user back to the Provider signature page.

The Submit button completes the application and takes the user to the Result details page. Once the Submit button is selected, the Express Enrollment application status changes from In-progress to Submitted.

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When the Submit button is selected, APP runs a systematic check with ForwardHealth to see if any of the following apply:

The applicant is currently enrolled in ongoing health care or Family Planning Only Services coverage. See SECTION 15.2.1.1 CURRENT ENROLLMENT IN ONGOING BENEFITS for more information on how this impacts temporary enrollment eligibility.
The applicant received temporary enrollment benefits in the last 12 months. (This does not apply to applicants applying for temporary enrollment in BadgerCare Plus for pregnant people.). See SECTION 15.2.1.2 TEMPORARY ENROLLMENT WITHIN THE LAST 12 MONTHS for more information on how this impacts temporary enrollment eligibility.
The applicant is currently enrolled in Medicare Part A or Part B. Adults younger than 65 years old without dependent children are denied temporary enrollment in BadgerCare Plus if they are currently enrolled in Medicare Part A or Part B.

If unable to successfully connect with ForwardHealth, APP uses only the information from the Express Enrollment application to make the presumptive eligibility determination.

15.5.8 Result Details Page

The Result details page displays the results of the Express Enrollment application and confirms that the application has been completed. This page includes buttons for printing the Eligibility Notice and the Application Summary, both of which must be printed and provided to the applicant.

The Exit button takes the user back to the ACCESS for Partners and Providers homepage.

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15.5.8.1 Eligibility Notice

The Eligibility Notice is available in both English and Spanish. The user should select the appropriate button to view and print the PDF in the desired language. The user must print the Eligibility Notice and give it to the primary contact person. If the applicant is not eligible, the notice states the reason(s).

15.5.8.1.1 Temporary Identification Card

If eligible for temporary enrollment, the Eligibility Notice includes a temporary identification (ID) card for applicants eligible for Express Enrollment in BadgerCare Plus or Family Planning Only Services. The temporary ID card is valid for 14 calendar days and can be used until a permanent ForwardHealth ID card is mailed to the mailing address indicated on the Express Enrollment application. The permanent ForwardHealth ID Card is mailed to the applicant within 3-5 business days, if the applicant has not already been issued a ForwardHealth ID card. If the applicant has been issued a ForwardHealth ID card in the past, a new one is not mailed. The applicant can use their previously issued ForwardHealth ID card or contact Member Services by calling 800-362-3002 to request a new one.

Note	The temporary card is valid only for 14 calendar days to encourage the individuals eligible for Express Enrollment to start using their permanent ForwardHealth ID Card as soon as they have it. The valid dates on the temporary card are not the same as the dates of enrollment in Express Enrollment.

The user must inform the applicant of the following information:

Temporary enrollment lasts from the date the Express Enrollment application is submitted until the end of the following month. In order to continue receiving benefits after the temporary enrollment end date, the applicant must apply for enrollment in ongoing Medicaid, BadgerCare Plus, or Family Planning Only Services. They may apply online at https://access.wisconsin.gov/, by telephone, by mail, or in person at the local agency. A list of agencies can be found at https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/forwardhealth/imagency/index.htm or by contacting Member Services at 1-800-362-3002.
A temporary enrollment determination does not guarantee that the local agency is able to enroll the applicant in ongoing Medicaid, BadgerCare Plus, or Family Planning Only Services because of other requirements that may apply. They have to provide verification of citizenship/qualifying immigration status and identity, as well as any counted income.
If the applicant applies for ongoing Medicaid, BadgerCare Plus or Family Planning Only Services, and the local agency makes an eligibility determination prior to the temporary enrollment end date, the temporary enrollment automatically ends at that time, regardless of the result of the eligibility determination.
The temporary enrollment period may be automatically extended only if the applicant files an application for ongoing benefits on or before the last day of the temporary enrollment period and the applicant’s eligibility cannot be determined before the temporary enrollment period ends.

See SECTION 15.2.1 COVERAGE for more information about early terminations and extensions of the temporary enrollment period.

15.5.8.1.2 Information to Link an Express Enrollment Application with an Apply for Benefits Application

The Eligibility Notice also lists the information needed to link the Express Enrollment application to a new ACCESS Apply For Benefits (AFB) application for ongoing BadgerCare Plus, Wisconsin Medicaid, or Family Planning Only Services coverage. This link pre-populates the new AFB application with some information from the Express Enrollment application (see SECTION 15.6 APPLYING FOR ONGOING BENEFITS). It is very important that the primary contact person keep the notice to refer to when starting a new application on ACCESS.

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Temporary Identification Card for Express Enrollment in BadgerCare Plus

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Temporary Identification Card for Express Enrollment in Family Planning Only Services

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15.5.8.2 Application Summary

The Application Summary is available in both English and Spanish. The user should select the appropriate button to view and print the PDF in the desired language. The user must print the Application Summary and give it to the primary contact person.

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15.5.9 Application Search Criteria Page

To search for Express Enrollment applications, select Search for an application on the ACCESS for Partners and Providers homepage. The search results vary depending on the specific search criteria information entered.

The Back button takes the user back to the ACCESS for Partners and Providers homepage.

The Search button takes the user to the Application Search Results page.

15.5.9.1 Searching for Express Enrollment Applications

The Search for an application page displays.

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Search by application number

To search for a specific application, enter the application number in the Application number field.

Search by submission date

To search for an application submitted on a specific date, enter the date in the Submission date field.

Search by individual information

To search for a particular individual’s application, the user can enter the individual’s name, gender, date of birth and/or SSN.

Search by county or tribe

To search for Express Enrollment applications for individuals or households in a specific county or tribe, the user can enter the appropriate information in these fields. The user must select a county or tribe from the drop-down.

Search by type of application

The user must choose at least one type of application from the drop-down menu, BadgerCare Plus (BC+) or Family Planning Only Services (FPOS) to search for Express Enrollment applications.

Search by Express Enrollment application status

The user must choose at least one application status to search for Express Enrollment applications.

Submitted means that the Express Enrollment application is complete and the Submit button is selected.
In Progress means that the Express Enrollment application is started but the Submit button has not yet been selected.
Expired means that the Express Enrollment application is started but the Submit button is not selected within 30 days. Expired applications cannot be completed or submitted.

Search by AFB application status

The user must choose at least one status for the AFB application to search for Express Enrollment applications.

Not Started means that no link is made to a new AFB application.
In Progress means that a link is successfully made, but the AFB application is not yet submitted.
Submitted means that a link is successfully made and the AFB application is submitted for the IM agency to process.

Search by linking status

The user must choose if the linking status is Active or Expired.

Active means that a submitted Express Enrollment application is not yet successfully linked to a new AFB application, and it is 90 days or less since the Express Enrollment benefit start date.
Expired means that a submitted Express Enrollment application is successfully linked to a new AFB application, or it is more than 90 days since the Express Enrollment application is submitted, or all six attempts to complete the link in AFB are used.

If the linking status is Expired, the applicant must complete a new AFB application without the use of pre-filled information from an Express Enrollment application.

After making desired selections on the Search for an application page, choose the Search button.

15.5.9.2 Application Search Results

The Application results display at the bottom of the Search for an application page and includes the following information:

Application number
Primary contact
Enrollment type
Location
Application status
Created date
Days until application expires

If there are more than 25 search results meeting the entered search criteria, the user receives a message to refine the search criteria to decrease the number of applications meeting those criteria.

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15.5.10 Contact for Questions About Using APP

When using ACCESS, an individual can get more information about a given question by selecting the Help button in the upper right of the page.

If a user has questions about Express Enrollment, they can call the ForwardHealth Portal Helpdesk at 866-908-1363.

15.5.11 ACCESS Training Environment

Users can practice using the Express Enrollment application tool at trn.access.wisconsin.gov. They should select login under Community Partners or Providers/Hospitals, whichever is appropriate for their organization type. The following credentials should be used to log in:

User ID: sambecket3333

Password: Enter123!

Note	Users should not submit practice Express Enrollment applications on the actual ACCESS website. Users should not submit real Express Enrollment applications on the training ACCESS website.

This page last updated in Release Number: 25-01
Release Date: 10/18/2025
Effective Date: 10/18/2025