We Are All In For Milwaukee’s Health Coverage

November 1, 2026, marks the start of the 2026-27 Marketplace HealthCare.gov Open Enrollment (Open Enrollment) season. For the first time in three years, Milwaukee County’s uninsured rate is increasing from 6.8% in 2021- 2023 to 7.8% in 2024. This includes a 10% decrease in Marketplace plan selections in 2025 and a relatively flat Medicaid enrollment rate in Milwaukee County since 2024. Given these recent enrollment declines and the significant federal Medicaid policy changes happening now and in 2027, the Milwaukee community must be informed and ready ahead of the 2026 Open Enrollment season and the new year.
 
“The health insurance coverage environment is quickly changing and understandably confusing for consumers,” said Justin Rivas, Manager, Milwaukee Enrollment Network (MKEN) and Director of Community Health Initiatives, Milwaukee Health Care Partnership (MHCP). “At MKEN, we are calling partners from all sectors to be informed and support their clients, staff, and community in taking the right steps to get or keep their coverage. We are also providing the learning spaces and plug-and-play resources for all to do so.”
 
Below are critical health insurance coverage updates, learning and information-sharing opportunities, and calls to action for all partners across the county to plan for and consider ahead of the 2026-27 Open Enrollment season and the new year.
 
Key Coverage Updates:

• Marketplace / Open Enrollment:
  • The Marketplace HealthCare.gov Open Enrollment period remains the same as in recent years: November 1, 2026 – January 15, 2027.
  • Enhanced premium tax credits remain unavailable.
  • Due to changes in immigrant eligibility as of October 1, 2026, certain low-income immigrants lose access to premium tax assistance (see the Non-Citizen Eligibility section below).
• Medicaid:
  • Work requirements for some Medicaid members enrolled in BadgerCare Plus begin January 1, 2027 (new applicants) or at the next renewal after March 1, 2027 (existing members).
• Non-Citizen Eligibility:
  • Starting in October 2026 (Medicaid) and January 2027 (Marketplace and Medicare), only certain immigrant populations with specific statuses will qualify for Marketplace financial assistance, Medicaid, or Medicare.

Learning Opportunities:

• Join the MKEN distribution list for monthly and real-time coverage updates by contacting Justin Rivas at jrivas@mkehcp.org.
• Attend and promote an in-person learning opportunity with experts on November 12. This will feature a press conference with local leaders, a coverage learning session with experts, and a resource fair. Join for all three, or whichever session best meets your needs. RSVP here.
• Join the ForwardHealth Policy Update Call Series to hear updates directly from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS).

Resources:

• HealthyMKE: New Medicaid campaign content!
  • Webpage dedicated to Medicaid Work Requirements
  • We’re All In for Milwaukee’s Health Coverage Campaign: Toolkit for employers of all sectors to communicate about coverage to their clients, staff, and community
  • Toolkit for new campaigns about Medicaid work requirements and Medicaid postpartum coverage
  • Toolkit for general coverage and Open Enrollment communication
• Covering Wisconsin: Communications toolkits, how-to fact sheets, and navigator resources at Coveringwisconsin.org.
• WisCovered: Digital media toolkits and flyers.
• DHS: ForwardHealth flyers, digital, and social resources.

 
MHCP members recently designated health insurance enrollment as an elevated priority for fiscal year 2026-27.
 
“MHCP and MKEN have long committed to ensuring Milwaukee County residents have access to health insurance coverage,” said Ann Christiansen, Executive Director, MHCP. “With the elevated charge and energy of our members to dig deep on this issue, we will continue to inform, mobilize, and leverage our collective strength and community relationships to ensure accessible and affordable coverage is a reality for all. 
 
For questions or to explore any of these opportunities further, contact MKEN Manager Justin Rivas at jrivas@mkehcp.org.
 
The Milwaukee Enrollment Network is a consortium of more than 100 organizations committed to promoting adequate and affordable health insurance coverage, with a focus on low-income, uninsured, and underinsured people in Milwaukee County. MKEN is co-sponsored by the Milwaukee Health Care Partnership and Covering Wisconsin.