Medicare in Wisconsin: compare your plan options with a licensed agent

Your guide to Medicare in Wisconsin

Last reviewed October 2026 by the licensed team at Amerance Health Insurance Group. Costs shown are 2026 Medicare figures from CMS.

Medicare is a federal program, so Parts A and B work the same way in Wisconsin as in every other state. What changes from state to state is which private plans you can choose from, the state rules that apply to Medicare Supplement insurance, and the local programs that can help you pay for coverage. This page covers what's specific to Wisconsin.

Your Medicare options in Wisconsin

People with Medicare in Wisconsin choose between two main paths:

Original Medicare, with a Medicare Supplement and Part D

Original Medicare (Part A for hospital care and Part B for medical care) lets you see any doctor or hospital in the U.S. that accepts Medicare. That's useful if you see specialists across Wisconsin or spend part of the year out of state. Because Original Medicare has no yearly out-of-pocket limit, many people add a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policy to cover deductibles and coinsurance, plus a stand-alone Part D plan for prescriptions.

Medicare Advantage (Part C)

Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private insurance companies approved by Medicare. They bundle hospital, medical and usually drug coverage into one plan, often with dental, vision and hearing benefits and a yearly out-of-pocket maximum. Plans are approved county by county, so what's available in Milwaukee may differ from what's available in Madison or rural Wisconsin. Most use provider networks (HMO or PPO), so it's important to confirm your doctors and hospitals before you enroll.

Not sure which path fits you? Read our Medicare Advantage vs. Medicare Supplement comparison.

Wisconsin Medicare Supplement (Medigap) rules

Wisconsin is one of three states that don't use the federal lettered Medigap plans (Plan G, Plan N and so on). It has its own standardized design.

• Wisconsin's own plans: every Wisconsin Medigap policy includes a standard Basic Plan. Insurers can then offer optional riders, such as coverage for the Part A deductible, Part B excess charges, additional home health care and foreign travel emergencies. Cost-sharing and high-deductible versions are also available.
• Under 65: during the 6-month open enrollment period that starts with Part B, insurers must sell Medigap regardless of age or disability. People under 65 get a second open enrollment period when they turn 65.
• Extra guaranteed issue rights: Wisconsin adds state-specific situations, such as losing Medical Assistance, in which you have 63 days to buy a Medigap policy without health questions.
• No birthday rule: outside open enrollment and guaranteed issue situations, insurers can ask health questions.

Everywhere in the U.S., your strongest protection is your Medigap Open Enrollment Period: the 6 months starting when you're 65 or older and enrolled in Part B. During that window, insurers in Wisconsin must sell you any Medigap plan they offer, at the same price as someone in good health. Because Wisconsin uses its own Medigap plan designs, a licensed agent or Wisconsin SHIP (Medigap Helpline) can help you compare the Basic Plan and riders.

Turning 65 in Wisconsin

Your Initial Enrollment Period is the 7 months around your 65th birthday: the 3 months before your birthday month, the month itself and the 3 months after. Sign up in the 3 months before your birthday month so your coverage starts on the first day of the month you turn 65. If you already receive Social Security, you'll be enrolled in Parts A and B automatically. Otherwise, apply through Social Security online, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or at a local Social Security office in Wisconsin.

If you're still working, you may be able to delay Part B without a penalty. Our Turning 65 Medicare guide walks through every deadline, or you can take our 2-minute quiz to get a personal game plan.

Help paying for Medicare in Wisconsin

• Medicaid (Wisconsin Medicaid): Wisconsin residents with limited income and resources may qualify for Medicaid in addition to Medicare. Learn more from Wisconsin Medicaid.
• Medicare Savings Programs: run through Wisconsin's Medicaid agency, these can pay your Part B premium ($202.90 a month in 2026), and in some cases your deductibles and coinsurance.
• Extra Help: a federal program that lowers Part D premiums, deductibles and copays. Apply through Social Security.
• Dual Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs): Medicare Advantage plans for people with both Medicare and Medicaid, which coordinate both sets of benefits.

Free, unbiased Medicare counseling in Wisconsin

We do not offer every plan available in your area. For information on all of your options, contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or Wisconsin SHIP (Medigap Helpline).

2026 Medicare costs in Wisconsin

Original Medicare costs are set nationally by CMS and are the same in Wisconsin as everywhere else. Medicare Advantage, Medigap and Part D premiums vary by plan and location.

Key Medicare dates for Wisconsin residents

• Annual Enrollment Period: October 15 – December 7, 2026, for coverage starting January 1, 2027.
• Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment: January 1 – March 31, 2027, if you're already in a Medicare Advantage plan.
• General Enrollment Period: January 1 – March 31 each year, if you missed signing up for Part A or Part B.
• Moving within or out of Wisconsin: if you move out of your plan's service area, you get a Special Enrollment Period to choose a new plan.

Wisconsin Medicare FAQs

Medicare help in nearby states

We also help people with Medicare in Illinois, Iowa, Michigan and Minnesota. See all the states we serve.

Sources

• CMS: 2026 Medicare Parts A & B premiums and deductibles
• Wisconsin OCI: Medicare Supplement guide (PI-002)
• Wisconsin Board on Aging and Long Term Care: Medigap eligibility