How many Medicare beneficiaries are in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin has approximately 1.2M Medicare beneficiaries. Roughly 45% are enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans, with the balance on Original Medicare — often paired with a Medigap plan and a standalone Part D drug plan.

When is Wisconsin Medicare enrollment?

The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) runs October 15 through December 7 each year, with changes effective January 1. The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP) runs January 1 through March 31. New-to-Medicare beneficiaries use their 7-month Initial Enrollment Period around their 65th birthday.

Is Medigap available in Wisconsin?

Yes. Wisconsin has all federal Medigap letter plans (A, B, D, G, K, L, M, N, and high-deductible G and F for those eligible) available from multiple carriers. Medical underwriting typically applies outside your one-time 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment window, so timing matters.

Wisconsin · Medicare · 2026 plan year

Wisconsin Medicare plans for 2026.

Q: What are the top Medicare Advantage carriers in Wisconsin?

Leading Medicare Advantage carriers in Wisconsin include Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield WI, Humana, UnitedHealthcare (AARP), Aetna, Security Health Plan, Network Health, Quartz. Plan availability and network depth vary by county.

Wisconsin has approximately 1.2M Medicare beneficiaries — about 45% on Medicare Advantage, the rest on Original Medicare. We compare Medicare Advantage, Medigap, and Part D options from Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield WI, Humana, UnitedHealthcare (AARP), Aetna, Security Health Plan, Network Health, Quartz.

Talk to a licensed Wisconsin Medicare advisor Medicare basics Browse plans yourself

1.2M

Wisconsin Medicare beneficiaries

~45%

on Medicare Advantage in WI

All 72

Wisconsin counties served

Carriers pay us — never you

Want to enroll yourself? Compare Wisconsin Medicare plans online.

Same Medicare Advantage, Supplement, and Part D plans we'd quote you. SilverEdge stays your broker on file — call us anytime.

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The core decision

Medicare Advantage vs. Medigap in Wisconsin

For most Wisconsinites, the choice between Medicare Advantage (Part C) and Original Medicare plus a Medigap (Supplement) plan is the biggest decision you'll make.

Medicare Advantage in Wisconsin

Bundles Part A, Part B, and usually Part D into a private plan. Most Wisconsin metros offer competitive $0-premium plans with dental, vision, hearing, OTC, and transportation benefits.

Most Wisconsin MA plans are HMOs with local networks including Advocate Aurora, Froedtert, Marshfield Clinic, ThedaCare, Bellin Health, Children's Wisconsin. We verify your doctors before enrolling.

Medigap in Wisconsin

Pairs with Original Medicare and covers the deductibles, coinsurance, and copays Medicare doesn't pay. Any doctor or hospital nationwide that accepts Medicare accepts Medigap — no networks.

Wisconsin Medigap premiums vary by ZIP and age, and carriers may medically underwrite outside your one-time 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment window.

Carriers

Top Medicare carriers in Wisconsin

Plan availability and network depth vary by county.

Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Wisconsin

Wisconsin's Blue plan. Statewide network covering Aurora Health Care, Advocate Aurora, Froedtert, Marshfield Clinic, ThedaCare.

Humana & UnitedHealthcare

Both national carriers compete strongly in Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay. UnitedHealthcare's AARP Medigap plans widely held.

Security Health Plan & Network Health

Both Wisconsin-rooted regional plans. Security Health (Marshfield Clinic affiliate) strong in central WI. Network Health strong in northeast WI.

Quartz Health Solutions

Wisconsin-based plan covering southern WI, including Madison and Milwaukee metros.

Part D

Part D prescription coverage in Wisconsin

Under the Inflation Reduction Act, 2026 Part D caps out-of-pocket drug costs at $2,100 per year and eliminates the old "donut hole."

Every Wisconsin Medicare beneficiary needs prescription drug coverage (or creditable alternative coverage) to avoid the Part D late enrollment penalty. Wisconsin has dozens of standalone Part D plans plus drug coverage bundled into most MA-PD plans.

Formulary check: The same medication can land in very different tiers across plans. We run your drug list against every Part D plan in your ZIP.
Preferred pharmacy: Many Wisconsin Part D plans offer lower copays at preferred pharmacies (CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Pick 'n Save, Hy-Vee, Costco). Which pharmacy you prefer can change which plan is cheapest.
Extra Help / LIS: Wisconsin beneficiaries with limited income may qualify for the Low Income Subsidy that significantly reduces drug costs.

Timing

Medicare enrollment dates for Wisconsin

Annual Enrollment Period (AEP): October 15 – December 7. Change Medicare Advantage or Part D plans; changes effective January 1.
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment (MA OEP): January 1 – March 31. One plan change allowed for members already in a Medicare Advantage plan.
Initial Enrollment Period (IEP): 7 months around your 65th birthday — 3 months before, your birthday month, and 3 months after.
Medigap Open Enrollment: 6 months from your Part B effective date — the one-time window when Wisconsin Medigap carriers cannot deny you or charge more for health reasons.
Special Enrollment Periods: Moving into Wisconsin, losing employer coverage, qualifying for Extra Help, or moving into or out of a nursing facility may each trigger a SEP.

Common questions

Wisconsin Medicare FAQ

Are there Wisconsin-specific Medicare rules?

Medicare is federal, so core rules match nationwide. What varies in Wisconsin is plan availability, network depth, Medigap pricing, and carrier mix.

Can I switch from Advantage to Medigap later?

Sometimes. Outside your one-time Medigap Open Enrollment window, Wisconsin Medigap carriers can medically underwrite — which means they can decline you or charge more for health conditions. We walk through your specific options carefully.

What if my doctor is at a different network?

We verify every doctor and hospital you want to keep against each plan's network before recommending anything. Networks like Advocate Aurora, Froedtert, Marshfield Clinic, ThedaCare, Bellin Health, Children's Wisconsin are common in Wisconsin — but specifics vary plan by plan.

What does SilverEdge cost?

Nothing. Medicare carriers pay us a commission when you enroll. We earn the same regardless of which carrier you pick — our job is to find your best Wisconsin fit.

Coverage

Wisconsin counties we cover

All 72 Wisconsin counties. A few of the counties where we have the most active members:

Milwaukee Dane (Madison) Waukesha Brown (Green Bay) Outagamie Racine Winnebago Kenosha Marathon Rock Sheboygan Eau Claire La Crosse Wood Manitowoc Walworth Fond du Lac Washington St. Croix Ozaukee + 52 more

★★★★★

$1,680 / yr saved

on Medicare Advantage · Milwaukee, WI

"Wisconsin has unique state-mandated Medigap rules — guaranteed-issue when you switch from MA in some cases. SilverEdge knew the rules and got me back on Original Medicare + Medigap with no underwriting."

Diane K.

MA-to-Medigap switch · Milwaukee, WI

Ready to compare Wisconsin Medicare plans?

Free, no pressure. Licensed in Wisconsin and all 50 states. We'll review your doctors, drugs, and budget — and walk you through the right Medicare combination for you.

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