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Last Updated: October 24, 2024

Health Topics

As of 2024, there are 574 federally recognized American Indian/Alaska Native tribes , and a number of tribes recognized at the individual state level. There are also many tribes that are not state or federally recognized. Federally recognized tribes are provided health and educational assistance through a government agency called Indian Health Service (IHS) , an operating division within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The IHS provides a comprehensive health service delivery system for approximately 2.6 million American Indians and Alaska Natives who belong to 574 federally recognized tribes in 37 states.

Wisconsin has one Urban Indian Health Clinic and 13 Tribal Health Facilities:

Coverage through BadgerCare Plus or HealthCare.gov:

Both state and federal law give certain individuals, who would otherwise lose their group health insurancecoverage under an employer or association plan, the right to continue their coverage for a period of time. Learn more about Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) and Wisconsin’s continuation law at the links below.

Insurance that provides income if a policyholder cannot work or earn an income due to a disability. Learn more about disability income insurance here. If you have questions about disability income insurance, a member of our life insurance team will be happy to assist you.

Grievances, Denied Health Claims, Complaints, and Independent Review

Surprise Medical Bills
The No Surprises Act protects you from surprise bills for covered emergency out-of-network services, including air ambulance services (but not ground ambulance services), and surprise bills for covered non-emergency services at an in-network facility. Learn more about Protections from Surprise Medical Bills.

File a Complaint Online
You may file a complaint with us if you are unable to resolve a dispute with an insurance company or agent, you have a problem with a pharmacy benefit manager service, or you receive a surprise medical bill. We follow a “no wrong door” policy and will work to make sure your complaint goes to the correct place – within OCI or to another state agency. 

File a Complaint

OCI understands the importance of addressing health disparities facing the LGBTQ+ population and is working to ensure that every person has access to quality, affordable health care. Health insurers must fairly and equally offer health insurance coverage and benefits to all Wisconsinites.

General:

View our disclaimer of endorsement here.

About 60% of Americans will need assistance with things like getting dressed, getting to appointments, or making meals at some point. Long-term care is a range of services and supports to meet personal care needs. It’s important to plan ahead and understand what is covered by insurance and what is covered by Medicare. Learn more about long-term care here.

Get more information about Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, prescription drug plans, and Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Insurance Policies in Wisconsin. Learn more about Medicare here.

Prescription drugs are a vital part of the health and wellbeing of Wisconsin residents. To control the cost of prescription medications, the Wisconsin Legislature passed a law  in March 2021 requiring Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBM) to be licensed and regulated by OCI. The goal of the oversight is to increase transparency, control costs, and protect consumers. Learn more about 2021 Wis. Act 9 here.

 Learn all the ways OCI is working to increase access to health care and control costs in the section below.

Improving Health Care Quality and Cost

In recent years, Wisconsin has acted to improve health care quality and reduce health care cost by supporting:

The Wisconsin Healthcare Stability Plan (WIHSP) is a state reinsurance program that helps offset the cost of high-cost claims to keep rates low for everyone. Learn more about WIHSP here.

Made up of multiple stakeholders, the Rx Task Force proposed actionable solutions to help Wisconsinites access affordable pharmaceuticals. Learn more about the Task Force here .

OCI supported legislation that further regulates the practices of Pharmacy Benefit Managers in order to increase transparency and ensure consumers get the best price at the pharmacy counter. View 2021 Wisconsin Act 9 . 

Learn more about Pharmacy Benefit Managers in the section above.

Telehealth helps people get care they need without having to leave home. It protects the most vulnerable and eliminates transportation barriers. That’s why OCI supports telehealth access for all Wisconsinites.

In 2020, OCI conducted a Telehealth Survey of the comprehensive health insurers in Wisconsin to establish a better understanding of the Wisconsin health plans’ experiences and plans regarding the delivery of telehealth in the year 2020. 

The questions were designed to gauge and measure:
  • services expanded
  • technological impediments
  • cost controls
  • access to providers
  • provider resources
  • intent to continue expanded telehealth services
  • state regulations and statutes perceived as barriers to the delivery of telehealth
  • state actions that a company would support or oppose in relation to telehealth
  • assistance OCI could provide

Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin (AHW) is a statewide health philanthropy established by the Medical College of Wisconsin through a generous gift from Blue Cross & Blue Shield United of Wisconsin to serve as a resource for health improvement efforts across Wisconsin. Learn more about the Endowment here  .


The Wisconsin Partnership Program (WPP), together with its sister endowment AHW,  positively impacts health throughout Wisconsin through its investments in research, education and community partnerships. Learn more about WPP here .

In 2021, OCI was awarded a federal grant through the State Flexibility to Stabilize the Market Cycle II Grant Program (State Flexibility Grant) which help regulators strengthen their respective health insurance markets. Grant funds can be used for a variety of planning and implementation objectives related to the selected market reforms and consumer protections such as developing actuarial and economic analyses and performing market scans of the respective State’s health insurance market to improve and expand the number of coverage options. Wisconsin’s State Flexibility Grant has a project period that ends September 14, 2023.
 
Wisconsin commissioned three reports funded by the State Flexibility Grant including a market analysis, study of short-term limited duration plans, and a review of network adequacy.
 


We are here to help​​​​

Whether it is auto, health, home, or life insurance, our Consumer Affairs team is here to help you if you have a question or concern about your insurance policy or claim. 

Phone: ​(800) 236-8517 or (608) 266-3585​​​
File a Complaint​
Ask a General Insurance Question​​​​​

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