Wisconsin Department of Health Services Has Yet to Expand State's SeniorCare Program to Cover Vaccines

Wednesday, November 11th, 2020 -- 12:02 PM

(AP) -The Wisconsin Department of Health Services has not expanded the state’s popular SeniorCare program to include coverage for vaccines, despite being required under a bipartisan law and as flu season begins while the coronavirus ravages the state.

Republican lawmakers are demanding an explanation from Department of Health Services Secretary Andrea Palm, calling the delay an “unnecessary roadblock for seniors looking to protect themselves from infectious diseases.”  Once a COVID-19 vaccine is available, it should also be covered under the expansion that lawmakers approved in April.  SeniorCare is a state prescription drug assistance program for people over age 65 who make up to $30,625 a year.

There are about 95,000 people in the program. The state health department has said it needs to formally amend the program to access federal money to pay for the vaccinations, moves that are still in the works.

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