Wisconsin Medicaid work requirement
Wisconsin DHS / BadgerCare Plus
Wisconsin has not expanded Medicaid under the ACA. The federal work rule mainly applies to adults in the Medicaid expansion group, so most Medicaid members in Wisconsin are likely not affected. Some special programs may be. Check the details below and ask your state Medicaid office.
Go to WI DHS Medicaid Work Requirements
- Start date
- Applicants January 1, 2027; renewals from March 2027
- Last checked
- September 2026
Wisconsin has not adopted full ACA Medicaid expansion. Federal community engagement applies to BadgerCare Plus childless adults and the CMS-listed §1115 population. Official DHS work-requirements page published.
Who it applies to
BadgerCare Plus childless adults and other Wisconsin §1115 waiver populations as listed by CMS. Full-scope ACA expansion adults are not enrolled in Wisconsin (not an expansion state). Contact WI DHS at 1-800-362-3002 or visit dhs.wisconsin.gov/medicaid/work.htm to confirm whether your specific coverage category is subject to these requirements.
What counts toward 80 hours
- Work 80+ hours/month (paid or unpaid, including self-employment or work for goods/services)
- Community service / volunteering at a public or non-profit organization — 80+ hours/month
- Participation in an approved job training or workforce program — 80+ hours/month
- Enrollment in an educational program at least half-time (high school, GED, community college, vocational, or four-year college)
- Any combination of the above totaling 80+ hours/month
- Income ≥ $580/month (federal minimum wage × 80 hours) — regardless of hours tracked; seasonal workers may average $580/month over the prior 6 months
Who may be exempt
- Pregnant or less than 12 months postpartum (regardless of pregnancy outcome)
- Primary caregiver of a child 13 years old or younger
- Primary caregiver of a disabled individual
- Medically frail or living with a disability that significantly limits ability to work
- American Indian / Alaska Native (AI/AN)
- Former foster youth who aged out of foster care
- Veteran with total disability rating (VA)
- Household receiving TANF where work rules already apply
- Household receiving SNAP where SNAP work rules already apply
- Enrolled in or recently completed a substance use disorder (SUD) treatment program
- Currently incarcerated or released from incarceration within the prior 3 months
How Wisconsin checks
Wisconsin DHS will check available records first. If records are insufficient, you will receive a notice requesting documentation at renewal. Visit the official DHS work requirements page for step-by-step reporting instructions.
What you can do now
- Visit dhs.wisconsin.gov/medicaid/work.htm for the official DHS work requirements page
- If you are in a BadgerCare Plus covered population, start tracking work, volunteer, education, or training hours now
- Keep your contact information current with Wisconsin DHS
- Report life changes (pregnancy, disability, household changes) to WI DHS promptly
- New applicants: requirements apply starting January 1, 2027; existing members: first affected at renewals from March 2027
Sources and links for Wisconsin
Sources: Wisconsin DHS (dhs.wisconsin.gov/medicaid/work.htm). Wisconsin has not adopted full ACA Medicaid expansion.
Last checked September 2026.
Log80 helps you keep organized proof.
Log your hours and make a monthly report you can share with your state Medicaid office. Free.
Log80 is not a government service and is not Medicaid. This page is not legal advice. Your state Medicaid office decides who must meet the rule and what proof it accepts.