1. Who is eligible for State of Wisconsin group health insurance?

Information about the State of Wisconsin Group Health Insurance Program applies to the following individuals:

Active Employees as defined below:

Eligible State Employees (commonly referred to as "state"):

  • Active state and university employees participating in the Wisconsin Retirement System.
  • Elected state officials.
  • Members or employees of the legislature.
  • Certain visiting faculty members in the University of Wisconsin System.
  • Blind employees of the Workshop for the Blind (Wiscraft or Beyond Vision).
  • Employees on leave of absence who continue their insurance.

Eligible Graduate Assistants (commonly referred to as "grad"):

  • Graduate Student Assistants (Research Assistants, Fellows, Advanced Opportunity Fellows, Scholars, Trainees, Teaching Assistants, and Project/Program Assistants) holding a combined one-third (33%) or greater appointment of at least one semester for academic year (nine month) appointments or six months for annual (twelve month) appointments.
  • Employees-in-Training (Research Associates, Post-Doctoral Fellows, Post-Doctoral Trainees, Postgraduate Trainees 1 through 7, Interns (non-physician), Research Interns, Graduate Interns/Trainees) holding a combined one-third time (33%) or greater appointment of at least one semester for academic year (nine month) appointments or six months for annual (twelve month) appointments.
  • Short-Term Academic Staff who are employed in positions not covered under the WRS and who are holding a fixed-term terminal, acting/provisional, or interim (non UW-Madison) appointment of 28% or more with an expected duration of at least one semester but less than one academic year if on an academic year (nine month) appointment or who have an appointment of 21% or more with an expected duration of at least six months but less than twelve months if on an annual (twelve month) appointment.
  • "Visiting" Appointees (e.g., Visiting Professors, Visiting Scientists, Visiting Lecturers) may be eligible for the health insurance benefits described in this guide. If you hold a "visiting" appointment contact your benefits/payroll office for more information.

Former Employees as defined below:

Eligible State Annuitants and COBRA/Continuants (commonly referred to as "retirees")

  • Retired state employees who are enrolled at the time of retirement and whose retirement annuity from the WRS begins within 30 days after employment ends.
  • Insured employees who terminate employment and have 20 years of WRS-creditable service are eligible to continue the State of Wisconsin Group Health Insurance Program even if the annuity is deferred if a timely application is submitted.
  • State employees receiving a WRS disability benefit.
  • The following former state employees who are not covered under the State of Wisconsin Group Health Insurance Program may apply for coverage:
    • Retired state employees receiving a WRS retirement annuity or a lump sum benefit under Wis. Stat. § 40.25(1); or
    • Terminated state employees with 20 years of WRS-creditable service who remain as inactive WRS participants and are not eligible for an immediate annuity.

For more information, see Enrolling for Coverage FAQs Question: Can I enroll in health insurance coverage during open enrollment since my coverage lapsed after retirement?