Chapter 49

49.46(2)(f) (f) Benefits under this subsection may not include payment for gastric bypass surgery or gastric stapling surgery unless it is performed because of a medical emergency.

49.46 History History: 1971 c. 125, 211, 215; 1973 c. 90, 147; 1975 c. 39; 1977 c. 29 ss. 592m, 1656 (18); 1977 c. 389, 418; 1979 c. 34, 221; 1981 c. 20, 93, 317; 1983 a. 27; 1983 a. 189 s. 329 (5); 1983 a. 245 ss. 10, 15; 1983 a. 538; 1985 a. 29, 120, 176, 253; 1987 a. 27, 307, 339, 399, 413; 1989 a. 9; 1989 a. 31 ss. 1454d to 1460 and 2909g, 2909i; 1989 a. 122, 173, 333, 336, 351; 1991 a. 39, 178, 269, 316; 1993 a. 16, 99, 269, 277, 446, 450, 491; 1995 a. 27, 77, 164, 289, 303, 457; 1997 a. 27, 35, 105, 237; 1999 a. 9; 2001 a. 16; 2003 a. 33; 2005 a. 25, 253; 2007 a. 20, 91; 2009 a. 28, 221; 2011 a. 10, 32; 2013 a. 20; 2013 a. 116 s. 29; 2013 a. 117 s. 2, 3; 2015 a. 55; 2017 a. 59, 119, 306; 2019 a. 9, 56, 122; 2021 a. 58, 98; 2021 a. 240 s. 29.

49.46 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also chs. DHS 102, 103, and 107, Wis. adm. code.

49.46 Annotation A categorically needy person applying for assistance under this section was not required to comply with divestment requirements under s. 49.47. Sinclair v. DHSS, 77 Wis. 2d 322, 253 N.W.2d 245 (1977).

49.46 Annotation Sub. (1) (b) and s. 49.47 (6) (d) limit retroactive medical assistance payments to services received not more than three months prior to the date the application is submitted. St. Paul Ramsey Medical Center v. DHSS, 186 Wis. 2d 37, 519 N.W.2d 681 (Ct. App. 1994).

49.46 Annotation States need not fund nontherapeutic abortions. Beal v. Doe, 432 U.S. 438, 97 S. Ct. 2366, 53 L. Ed. 2d 464 (1977).

49.463 49.463 Ineligibility for noncompliance with child support determinations and obligations.

49.463(1) (1) Definitions. In this section:

49.463(1)(a) (a) “Able-bodied adult” means an adult who is not elderly, as defined in s. 49.468 (1) (a) 2., or disabled, as defined in s. 49.471 (1) (cm), who is not pregnant, and who is able-bodied, as defined by the department.

49.463(1)(b) (b) “Custodial parent” has the meaning given in s. 49.141 (1) (b).

49.463(1)(c) (c) “Noncustodial parent” has the meaning given in s. 49.141 (1) (h).

49.463(2) (2) Eligibility denial; child support noncompliance.

49.463(2)(a) (a) In this subsection, what constitutes a refusal to cooperate is determined by the department in accordance with 42 USC 1396k and any federal regulations promulgated under 42 USC 1396k.

49.463(2)(b) (b) An able-bodied adult is ineligible for the Medical Assistance program under this subchapter in a month in which any of the following is true:

49.463(2)(b)1. 1. The able-bodied adult satisfies all of the following:

49.463(2)(b)1.a. a. The able-bodied adult is a custodial parent of or lives with and exercises parental control over a child who is under the age of 18 and who has an absent parent.

49.463(2)(b)1.b. b. The able-bodied adult refuses to cooperate fully, in good faith, with efforts directed at establishing or enforcing any support order or obtaining any other payments or property to which that adult or the child may have rights.

49.463(2)(b)1.c. c. The able-bodied adult does not have good cause for refusing to cooperate, as determined by the department in accordance with 42 USC 1396k and any federal regulations promulgated under 42 USC 1396k.

49.463(2)(b)2. 2. The able-bodied adult is a noncustodial parent of a child under the age of 18 and the adult refuses to cooperate in providing or obtaining support for the child.

49.463(3) (3) Eligibility denial; paternity.

49.463(3)(a) (a) In this subsection, what constitutes a refusal to cooperate is determined by the department in accordance with 42 USC 1396k and any federal regulations promulgated under 42 USC 1396k.

49.463(3)(b) (b) An able-bodied adult is ineligible for the Medical Assistance program under this subchapter in a month in which any of the following is true:

49.463(3)(b)1. 1. The able-bodied adult satisfies all of the following:

49.463(3)(b)1.a. a. The able-bodied adult is a custodial parent of or lives with and exercises parental control over a child who is under the age of 18 and who has an absent parent.

49.463(3)(b)1.b. b. The able-bodied adult refuses to cooperate fully, in good faith, with applicable efforts directed at establishing the paternity of the child.

49.463(3)(b)1.c. c. The able-bodied adult does not have good cause for refusing to cooperate, as determined by the department in accordance with 42 USC 1396k and any federal regulations promulgated under 42 USC 1396k.

49.463(3)(b)2. 2. The able-bodied adult is one of the following and refuses to cooperate fully, in good faith, with efforts directed at establishing the paternity of the child:

49.463(3)(b)2.a. a. Alleged to be the father under s. 767.80 of a child under the age of 18.

49.463(3)(b)2.b. b. A noncustodial parent of a child under the age of 18 for whom paternity has not been established.

49.463(4) (4) Eligibility denial; delinquent support. An able-bodied adult is ineligible for the Medical Assistance program under this subchapter in a month in which the adult is obligated by order granted inside or outside this state to provide support payments and is delinquent in making those payments, unless any of the following is true:

49.463(4)(a) (a) The delinquency balance equals less than 3 months of the ordered support payment amount.

49.463(4)(b) (b) A court or a county child support agency under s. 59.53 (5) is allowing the able-bodied adult to delay the child support payments.

49.463(4)(c) (c) The able-bodied adult is complying with a payment plan approved by a county child support agency under s. 59.53 (5) to provide support for the child of the adult.

49.463(4)(d) (d) The able-bodied adult is participating in an employment and training program, as determined by the department.

49.463(4)(e) (e) The able-bodied adult is participating in a substance abuse treatment program, as determined by the department.

49.463(5) (5) Exception for eligibility of child. A dependent child remains eligible for the Medical Assistance program under this subchapter even if a person charged with the care and custody of the dependent child is ineligible for the Medical Assistance program because he or she did not comply with this section.

49.463(5m) (5m) Notification requirement. The department or the county department under s. 46.215 or 46.22 shall notify an applicant for Medical Assistance of the requirements of this section at the time of application.

49.463(6) (6) Federal approval. If the department of health services or the department of children and families determines that federal approval is required to implement any part of this section, the applicable department shall submit a state plan amendment or request for a waiver to the federal department of health and human services. The departments shall implement this section to the extent that the federal department of health and human services does not disapprove of the plan amendment or waiver request and if the department of children and families determines that this section as it pertains to child support and paternity order establishment and compliance is able to be implemented in a way that is substantially state budget neutral in regard to child support fees.

49.463 History History: 2017 a. 268.

49.465 49.465 Presumptive medical assistance eligibility.

49.465(1) (1) In this section, “qualified provider” means a provider which satisfies the requirements under 42 USC 1396r-1 (b) (2), as determined by the department.

49.465(2) (2) A pregnant woman is eligible for medical assistance benefits, as provided under sub. (3), during the period beginning on the day on which a qualified provider determines, on the basis of preliminary information, that the woman’s family income does not exceed the highest level for eligibility for benefits under s. 49.46 (1) or 49.47 (4) (am) or (c) 1. and ending as follows:

49.465(2)(a) (a) If the woman applies for benefits under s. 49.46 or 49.47 within the time required under sub. (4), the day on which the department or the county department under s. 46.215, 46.22 or 46.23 determines whether the woman is eligible for benefits under s. 49.46 or 49.47.

49.465(2)(c) (c) If the woman does not apply for benefits under s. 49.46 or 49.47 within the time required under sub. (4), the last day of the month following the month in which the provider makes the determination under this subsection.

49.465(3) (3) The department shall audit and pay allowable charges to a provider certified under s. 49.45 (2) (a) 11. for medical assistance on behalf of a recipient under this section only for ambulatory prenatal care covered under s. 49.46 (2).

49.465(4) (4) A woman who is determined to be eligible under this section shall apply for benefits under s. 49.46 or 49.47 on or before the last day of the month following the month in which the qualified provider makes that determination.

49.465(5) (5) A qualified provider which determines that a woman is eligible under this section shall do all of the following:

49.465(5)(a) (a) Notify the department of that determination within 5 working days after the day the determination is made.

49.465(5)(b) (b) Notify the woman of the requirement under sub. (4).

49.465(6) (6) The department shall provide qualified providers with application forms for medical assistance under ss. 49.46 and 49.47 and information on how to assist women in completing the forms.

49.465 History History: 1987 a. 27, 307, 413; 1989 a. 9; 1989 a. 31 ss. 1460p, 2909g, 2909i; 1991 a. 269; 1995 a. 289; 1997 a. 27; 2011 a. 10, 32.

49.468 49.468 Expanded medicare buy-in.

49.468(1) (1) 

49.468(1)(a) (a) In this subsection and sub. (1m):

49.468(1)(a)1. 1. “Disabled” means blind, as defined under 42 USC 1382c (a) (2) and disabled, as defined under 42 USC 1382c (a) (3).

49.468(1)(a)2. 2. “Elderly” means 65 years of age or older.

49.468(1)(a)3. 3. “Entitled to coverage under part A of medicare” means eligible for and enrolled in part A of medicare under 42 USC 1395c to 1395f.

49.468(1)(a)4. 4. “Entitled to coverage under part B of medicare” means eligible for and enrolled in part B of medicare under 42 USC 1395j to 1395L.

49.468(1)(b) (b) For an elderly or disabled individual who is entitled to coverage under Part A of Medicare, entitled to coverage under Part B of Medicare, and who does not meet the eligibility criteria for Medical Assistance under s. 49.46 (1), 49.465, 49.47 (4), or 49.471 but meets the limitations on income and resources under par. (d), Medical Assistance shall pay the deductible and coinsurance portions of Medicare services under 42 USC 1395 to 1395zz that are not paid under 42 USC 1395 to 1395zz, including those Medicare services that are not included in the approved state plan for services under 42 USC 1396; the monthly premiums payable under 42 USC 1395v; the monthly premiums, if applicable, under 42 USC 1395i-2 (d); and the late enrollment penalty, if applicable, for premiums under Part A of Medicare. Payment of coinsurance for a service under Part B of Medicare under 42 USC 1395j to 1395w and payment of deductibles and coinsurance for inpatient hospital services under Part A of Medicare may not exceed the allowable charge for the service under Medical Assistance minus the Medicare payment.

49.468(1)(c) (c) For an elderly or disabled individual who is only entitled to coverage under Part A of Medicare and who does not meet the eligibility criteria for Medical Assistance under s. 49.46 (1), 49.465, 49.47 (4), or 49.471 but meets the limitations on income and resources under par. (d), Medical Assistance shall pay the deductible and coinsurance portions of Medicare services under 42 USC 1395 to 1395i that are not paid under 42 USC 1395 to 1395i, including those Medicare services that are not included in the approved state plan for services under 42 USC 1396; the monthly premiums, if applicable, under 42 USC 1395i-2 (d); and the late enrollment penalty for premiums under Part A of Medicare, if applicable. Payment of deductibles and coinsurance for inpatient hospital services under Part A of Medicare may not exceed the allowable charge for the service under Medical Assistance minus the Medicare payment.

49.468(1)(d) (d) Benefits under par. (b) or (c) are available for an individual who has resources that are equal to or less than 200 percent of the allowable resources as determined under 42 USC 1381 to 1385 and income that is equal to or less than 100 percent of the poverty line.

49.468(1)(e) (e) In determining under this subsection the income of an individual who is entitled to a monthly social security benefit under 42 USC 401 to 433, the department shall exclude, from December until the month after the month in which the annual revision of the poverty line is published, the amount of the social security benefit attributable to a cost-of-living increase under 42 USC 415 (i).

49.468(1m) (1m) 

49.468(1m)(a) (a) Beginning on January 1, 1993, for an elderly or disabled individual who is entitled to coverage under part A of medicare and is entitled to coverage under part B of medicare, does not meet the eligibility criteria for medical assistance under s. 49.46 (1), 49.465, 49.47 (4), or 49.471 but meets the limitations on income and resources under par. (b), medical assistance shall pay the monthly premiums under 42 USC 1395r.

49.468(1m)(b) (b) Benefits under par. (a) are available for an individual who has resources that are equal to or less than 200 percent of the allowable resources determined under 42 USC 1381 to 1385 and income that is greater than 100 percent of the poverty line but less than 120 percent of the poverty line.

49.468(2) (2) 

49.468(2)(a) (a) Beginning on January 1, 1991, for a disabled working individual who is entitled under P.L. 101-239, section 6012 (a), to coverage under part A of medicare and who does not meet the eligibility criteria for medical assistance under s. 49.46 (1), 49.465, 49.47 (4), or 49.471 but meets the limitations on income and resources under par. (b), medical assistance shall pay the monthly premiums for the coverage under part A of medicare, including late enrollment fees, if applicable.

49.468(2)(b) (b) Benefits under par. (a) are available for an individual who has resources that are equal to or less than 200 percent of the allowable resources under 42 USC 1381 to 1385 and income that is equal to or less than 200 percent of the poverty line.

49.468 History History: 1989 a. 31, 336; 1991 a. 39, 269; 1993 a. 16; 2001 a. 16; 2007 a. 20; 2011 a. 32.

49.47 49.47 Medical assistance; medically indigent.

49.47(1) (1) Purpose. Medical assistance as set forth herein shall be provided to persons over 65, if eligible under this section, all disabled children under 18, if eligible under this section, and persons who are blind or disabled, if eligible under this section.

49.47(2) (2) Definitions. As used in this section, unless the context indicates otherwise:

49.47(2)(a) (a) “Beneficiary” means a person eligible for, and a recipient of, medical assistance under this section.

49.47(2)(b) (b) “Illness” means a bodily disorder, bodily injury, disease or mental disease. All illnesses existing simultaneously which are due to the same or related causes shall be considered “one illness.” Successive periods of illness less than 6 months apart, which are due to the same or related causes, shall also be considered “one illness.”

49.47(3) (3) Application.

49.47(3)(a) (a) At any time any resident of this state who believes himself or herself medically indigent and qualified for aid under this section may make application, on forms prescribed by the department. If eligibility is questionable by reason of the information contained on the application or is incomplete, further investigation shall be made to determine eligibility.

49.47(3)(b) (b) The agency shall promptly review the application and shall issue a certificate to the individual showing eligibility when eligibility has been established.

49.47(3)(c) (c) The department shall simplify applications for benefits for pregnant women and children under sub. (4) and shall make the simplified applications available in the offices of health care providers.

49.47(4) (4) Eligibility.

49.47(4)(a) (a) Any individual who meets the limitations on income and resources under pars. (b) to (c) and who complies with pars. (cm) and (cr) shall be eligible for medical assistance under this section if such individual is:

49.47(4)(a)1. 1. Under 21 years of age and resides in an intermediate care facility, skilled nursing facility, or inpatient psychiatric hospital. The department shall apply the definition of family income in s. 49.471 (1) (f) to make determinations of income under this subdivision.

49.47(4)(a)3. 3. 65 years of age or older.

49.47(4)(a)4. 4. Blind or totally and permanently disabled as defined under federal Title XVI.

49.47(4)(ag) (ag) Any individual whose income does not exceed the limits under par. (c) and who complies with par. (cm) is eligible for medical assistance under this section if the individual is one of the following:

49.47(4)(ag)1. 1. Under the age of 18.

49.47(4)(ag)2. 2. Pregnant and the woman’s pregnancy is medically verified. Eligibility continues to the last day of the month in which the 60th day or, if approved by the federal government, the 90th day after the last day of the pregnancy falls.

49.47(4)(am) (am) An individual who does not meet the limitation on income in par. (c) is eligible for medical assistance under this section if the individual is one of the following:

49.47(4)(am)1. 1. A pregnant woman whose family income does not exceed 155 percent of the poverty line for a family the size of the woman’s family, except that if a waiver under par. (j) or a change in the approved state plan under s. 49.46 (1) (am) 2. is in effect, the income limit is 185 percent of the poverty line for a family the size of the woman’s family in each state fiscal year after the 1994-95 state fiscal year.

49.47(4)(am)2. 2. A child who is under 6 years of age and whose family income does not exceed 155 percent of the poverty line for a family the size of the child’s family, except that if a waiver under par. (j) or a change in the approved state plan under s. 49.46 (1) (am) 2. is in effect, the income limit is 185 percent of the poverty line for a family the size of the child’s family in each state fiscal year after the 1994-95 state fiscal year.