The State of Wisconsin reimburses physicians and related professional health care providers for medically necessary services provided to low-income persons through the State's Medical Assistance and BadgerCare Plus programs. The State's Medical Assistance and BadgerCare Plus programs are administered by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (the Department) and operate under the authority of Title XIX and Title XXI of the Federal Social Security Act and chapters 49.43 to 49.47 of Wisconsin Statutes.

The Department is adjusting maximum allowable fees for approximately 600 physician services to pay no more than Medicare. Fee adjustments will be effective October 1, 2009. A forthcoming ForwardHealth Update will provide additional details on the fee adjustments.

The fee adjustments for the approximately 600 physician services are projected to reduce physician-related expenditures by an estimated $16.5 million All Funds over the current state biennium (July 1, 2009 though June 30, 2011).

For more information or to submit written comments on the proposed changes, interested persons may fax or write to:

Division of Health Care Access and Accountability
P.O. Box 309
Madison, WI 53701-0309
Fax: (608) 266-1096

Copies of the proposed changes and comments received on the changes will be available for public review between the hours of 7:45 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at:

Division of Health Care Access and Accountability
Room 350, State Office Building
One West Wilson Street
Madison, WI

Copies of the proposed changes will also be made available for review at the main office of any county department of social services or human services.