Wisconsin Department Issues New Forward Health Cards To Members

Main Category: Medicare / Medicaid / SCHIP
Article Date: 29 Nov 2008 - 0:00 PDT

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The Department of Health Services announces that replacement ForwardHealth cards have been mailed to members living in the following counties: Brown, Calumet, Dane, Dodge, Door, Florence, Fond du Lac, Forest, Jefferson, Kewaunee, Manitowoc, Marinette, Menominee, Oconto, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Rock, Shawano, Sheboygan, Walworth, Washington, Waukesha, Waupaca, and Winnebago. This is the third phase of replacement cards that will be sent to ForwardHealth members.

Each member has been assigned a new, randomly assigned member identification number that has been printed on the front of the cards.

"People can begin using their card right away and are encouraged to take it to all health care appointments and pharmacies," said Secretary Karen Timberlake. "Members should destroy their old Forward or ForwardHealth card upon receiving their replacement card in order to ensure that their privacy is maintained."

Recently, the Department announced ForwardHealth, a new brand for the state's health care and nutrition programs that will create efficiency for providers and improve the health of enrolled members. ForwardHealth furthers the Department's efforts in streamlining the administration of programs to save the state and taxpayers money. Part of the transition to ForwardHealth is sending new identification cards to members in phases over the next four to six weeks.

ForwardHealth (formerly Medicaid) programs include:

- BadgerCare Plus
- SeniorCare
- FoodShare
- Forward Health Elderly, Blind or Disabled (formerly EBD Medicaid)
- Wisconsin Chronic Disease Program
- Family Planning Waiver
- Family Care and other long-term care programs
- Wisconsin Well Woman Medicaid Program

Each of these programs will retain their current names, but will be known as ForwardHealth programs.

For more information on ForwardHealth programs, visit here.

Wisconsin Department of Health Services