10/14/2025

N. WISCONSIN - Fall open enrollment starts tomorrow for Wisconsinites who are dual eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare, and experts say nationwide, nearly half of people who qualify aren’t enrolled. Data shows more than 170-thousand Wisconsinites could be eligible for dual-eligible special-needs plans known as D-SNPs, because of age, disabilities or income. These Medicare Advantage Plans can include extra benefits like dental care, health-care supplies and even meals and transportation for qualifying individuals. Hannah Diamond with the advocacy group Justice in Aging says the aim is to address confusion and barriers to care but stresses the plans are subject to provider networks.

                    0:11  "Their purpose is to improve integration and coordination of Medicare and Medicaid to programs that, when they initially came about, were never designed to work together."

Enrollment is open from tomorrow through December 7th. Benefits vary by carrier and recent changes to some Medicare Advantage plans in Wisconsin could impact enrollees. People can learn more at www.getdual.com.

Wisconsin is one of ten states that hasn't expanded its Medicaid program under the Affordable Care Act. Fifteen percent of the state’s 1-point-2-million Medicare recipients are also on Medicaid.