Bipartisan Wisconsin Law Giving New Mothers on Medicaid 12 Months of Postpartum Coverage Now in Effect

Thursday, July 2nd, 2026 -- 9:00 AM

(WBAY) New mothers on Medicaid in Wisconsin are now eligible for 12 months of postpartum healthcare coverage under a bipartisan law that took effect Tuesday.

The state Department of Health Services (DHS) said the expansion is expected to benefit more than 16,000 low-income women in 2026. Gov. Tony Evers signed the legislation earlier this year.

“Extending postpartum coverage was the right move for Wisconsin families and the right move for our state, and I’m darn proud that we got this done so that more moms and babies have the care they need when they need it,” Evers said. “We know that postpartum recovery is a heckuva a lot longer than 60 days, and expanded postpartum coverage can and will save lives.”

The expanded coverage includes treatment for postpartum depression, long-acting reversible contraceptives, chronic conditions, mental and behavioral health services, therapy, psychiatric support, and medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder.

It also applies when a pregnancy does not end in a live birth, such as in cases of miscarriage or stillbirth. The coverage is automatically extended for the full year for women on Medicaid who were pregnant or within 60 days postpartum as of May 31, 2026.

People on Medicaid or BadgerPlus with questions about the extended coverage should contact their local county or Tribal agency. According to DHS, nearly half of pregnancy-related deaths occur in the postpartum period.

The Wisconsin Maternal Mortality Review Team found that 95% of those deaths were preventable. DHS data also show that Wisconsin’s severe maternal morbidity rate, defined as serious birth complications or near-misses, has increased in recent years, and the rate is higher among Medicaid and BadgerCare Plus members than among those with private insurance.

Black mothers in Wisconsin are approximately 2½ times more likely than white, non-Hispanic peers to die from complications of pregnancy and childbirth, according to DHS.

Research cited by DHS indicates one in eight mothers experiences postpartum depression and that suicide is a leading cause of maternal death. Among people with opioid use disorder, the risk of overdose is highest seven to 12 months postpartum.

“Healthcare coverage is critical after pregnancy. A full year of coverage gives new parents and their babies the access to care and the safe and stable supports they need to thrive, from birth to baby’s first birthday,” said DHS Secretary Kirsten Johnson.

“We know nearly half of pregnancy-related deaths happen in the year after a pregnancy ends, in what’s often called the ‘fourth trimester,’ but nearly all of these deaths are preventable. This coverage will save lives.”

Wisconsin is the next-to-last state to expand postpartum Medicaid coverage to 12 months. (In Arkansas, new mothers on Medicaid lose postpartum coverage after 60 days.)

Gov. Evers introduced the expanded coverage in every budget cycle since 2019, but legislation was blocked by Assembly Speaker Robin Vos. He allowed the bill to come to the floor this year, and voted in favor of it, after announcing he’s not seeking re-election.

The bill passed the Assembly by a vote of 95-1, and approval was unanimous in the state Senate.

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