Community Healthcare Access Program

Do you need health insurance? Are you looking for a more affordable way to access health insurance coverage? The City of Milwaukee Health Department’s Community Healthcare Access Program (CHAP) can help.

For years, CHAP employees have been dedicated to assisting community members in accessing the health care coverage needed. Today, CHAP can help all community members determine their options under the Affordable Care Act by evaluating whether they qualify for free or low-cost health insurance or helping them find a health insurance plan that fits their needs and budget.

Spanish and English-speaking staff are available on-site. If you need assistance in a language other than Spanish/English, please contact us today and we will make an appointment with a translator.

What programs can the Community Healthcare Access Program assist me in applying for?

CHAP employees are Certified Application Counselors under the Affordable Care Act, meaning they are trained to assist you in enrolling under the new health care law, the Affordable Care Act (ACA). While the ACA provides new health coverage options for qualified individuals, CHAP will help you every step of the way to determine what programs and services you qualify for, or what low-cost plans are available to you.

CHAP can help you determine if you qualify for:

• Health Insurance Marketplace (private insurance)
• BadgerCare (Medicaid)
• Family Planning Waiver
• Food Share
• Child Care
• Express Enrollment for pregnant women and children

CHAP can also provide referrals for enrollment in W-2, WIC, energy assistance, dental services, and free and sliding-fee clinics. If you have questions, call (414) 286-8620.

Support is available 24 hours a day in more than 150 languages at www.healthcare.gov or by calling 1-800-318-2596.

To find an enrollment site near you, Milwaukee County residents can also call 2-1-1 for assistance.

When and where are Community Healthcare Access Program consultations held?

CHAP employees are available to assist individuals daily at City of Milwaukee Health Department Clinic locations. 

How do I know if I qualify for free or low-cost health insurance?

If you are ready to enroll in a health insurance plan, please have recent financial information available including tax returns, pay stubs, or other income statements.  Also be aware of how many dependents you have under the age of 26, as adult children may be eligible for coverage as well.  Finally, if health insurance if offered as a benefit of employment, you must document that the cost of that insurance is more than 9.5% of your income.  If your work insurance is higher than 9.5% of your income, you may be eligible to purchase insurance in the Marketplace.  Your Certified Application Counselor can assist you in entering your information online to check what insurance options are available to you, and if any subsidy may be available.

Affordable Care Act

Today, thanks to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), there are more options than ever for individuals and families to obtain affordable health insurance.
Important things you need to know are:

• Under the Affordable Care Act, everyone can get health insurance, even if you have a pre-existing condition.
• Each year during an open enrollment period, you can begin accessing the Health Insurance Marketplace – a website where you can sign up for affordable insurance plans approved by the federal government. There will be many different health insurance plans with different costs to choose from.
• The Health Insurance Marketplace (www.healthcare.gov) is one application that determines if you are eligible for other programs, such as Medicaid/BadgerCare.
• If you are currently covered under Medicaid/BadgerCare, you may receive a letter stating that you have to enroll for coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace. If you receive this letter, it is very important to act or you may lose your health insurance coverage.
• If you are covered under Medicare (disabled or 65 and older), your insurance coverage does NOT change, and you do NOT need to go to the Health Insurance Marketplace for coverage.
• Many people will qualify for assistance to help pay for their health insurance through government subsidies. To determine if you are eligible for a subsidy, contact an enrollment assistor near you. Find assistance near you by calling 2-1-1 or visiting www.healthcare.gov.

For more information, visit www.healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596. For in-person assistance in the City of Milwaukee, contact (414) 286-8620.

Who can I contact for more information?

For questions or assistance with enrollment in state or federal programs, call the City of Milwaukee Health Department Community Healthcare Access Program at (414) 286-8620.

Assistance and over-the-phone enrollment is also available in more than 150 languages at www.healthcare.gov or 1-800-318-2596.

To find an enrollment site near you, Milwaukee County residents can also call 2-1-1 for assistance.