Adell Area Community Center

05/05/2026

05/05/2026

How to Maximize Your Food & FoodShare Benefits
Mary Kempf for the GWAAR Legal Services Team (for reprint)

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025 (OBBB) contained several provisions that affected Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Included among these changes are re-evaluation of the Thrifty Food Plan, modifications to work requirements for able-bodied adults, changes to standard utility allowances based on receipt of energy assistance, changes for non-citizen eligibility for SNAP, and more. With these changes to SNAP benefits, it is more important than ever for recipients to maximize their benefits.
Whether or not you receive SNAP benefits through Wisconsin’s FoodShare program, we could all use extra tips and reminders for smart food shopping. This article offers suggestions on how to stretch your food dollars by planning ahead, budgeting, making
smart food choices, and preparing low-cost recipes.

BEFORE Shopping
· Plan your weekly meals and snacks. Preparing in advance will help you know what you need and also help you put leftovers to good use.
· Use store circulars and go online to look for coupons, sales, and store specials. Only use coupons on foods you normally eat. Make sure the coupons give you the best value for your money.
· For added savings, sign up for the store discount card or bonus card at your local supermarket.

DURING Shopping
· Have something to eat before you go shopping. It’s easier to stick to your shopping list when you are not hungry.
· Try store brands. They are the same quality and cost less.
· Compare products for the best deal. Use unit pricing and also the Nutrition Facts labels to get the best product for your money.
· Check “sell by” or “use by” dates. Buy the freshest food possible.

AFTER Shopping
· Store food right away in the refrigerator or freezer to keep it fresh and safe.
· If you buy a large amount of fresh food like meat, poultry, or fish, divide it into meal-size packages, label the food, and freeze it for later use.
· Use foods with the earliest expiration dates first.

BREADS AND GRAINS
· Choose whole-grain breads. Look for bargains on day-old varieties. Buy regular brown rice and old-fashioned oats and grits instead of instant varieties to save money and consume less sugar, salt, and calories.

VEGETABLES
· Buy large bags of frozen vegetables. When choosing canned vegetables, look for “low sodium” or “no added salt” on the label.

FRUITS
· Buy fresh fruit in season - it generally costs less. Frozen and canned fruits are available year-round, can save you money, and have similar nutrition values to fresh.

LOW-FAT OR FAT-FREE MILK PRODUCTS
· Buy low-fat or fat-free milk, yogurt, and cheese in the largest size that can be used before spoiling. Larger containers cost less per serving than smaller sizes. Ultra- pasteurized milk found on store shelves has a longer expiration date and won’t spoil as fast.

MEAT AND BEANS
· Dried beans and peas are a good source of protein and fiber. They can last a year or more without spoiling. Canned tuna packed in water is an inexpensive healthy protein choice. Light tuna has less mercury than white (albacore) tuna.

For more information, or to locate a retailer near you that accepts FoodShare benefits,
visit the USDA website at https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/supplemental-nutrition-
assistance-program-snap.

For more information on how the OBBB changed the SNAP benefits program, see the USDA Information Memorandum here: SNAP Provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill

05/05/2026

Increase to State SSI Supplement Payments
Effective May 1
Mary Kempf for the GWAAR Legal Services Team (for reprint)

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a federal program that provides monthly payments to people with disabilities and older adults who have little or no income or resources. The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses federal law to make the rules
for the SSI program and determine who is eligible to enroll. SSA also decides the monthly SSI payment amount.
Wisconsin residents who receive a federal SSI payment also receive a state-funded supplementary SSI payment. Some SSI recipients receive an additional state benefit, called SSI-Exceptional Expense or SSI-E, if they live in substitute care and have monthly expenses greater than or equal to the SSI-E payment level or live at home and need at least 40 hours per month of primary long-term support services. In addition, there are some individuals who no longer receive a federal SSI payment but were grandfathered into getting state-only SSI payments because they were eligible for the
state supplement payment in December 1995. These grandfathered individuals only receive a small percentage of the state supplement payment, which is based on the amount they were receiving in December 1995. The state supplement payment amounts do not have a yearly cost-of-living increase like federal SSI payments.
For the first time since 1994, the state-funded supplement payment amounts are increasing. Beginning May 1, 2026, state supplement payments and SSI-E payments are increasing by 10%. Everyone who receives federal SSI payments will automatically get the maximum state payment amount. In addition, grandfathered state-only SSI recipients will receive a 10% increase to their current benefit amount. Please note that SSI is counted as income for some public benefit programs, like FoodShare, so the SSI payment increase could affect an SSI recipients' benefit amount for these programs.

05/05/2026

Medicaid Copays
Mary Kempf for the GWAAR Legal Services Team (for reprint)

If you or a loved one is enrolled in a Medicaid program such as BadgerCare+, SSI Medicaid, or the Medicaid Purchase Plan (MAPP), you may have copays for certain items or services that range from $0.50 - $3.00. Similarly, if you are in the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) program, you may also be charged copays. For most Medicaid programs, however, there is a limit on how much you can be charged per month. Qualifying members may may not pay more than five percent of their household income for monthly premiums and copays.

Exempt Programs
There are some Medicaid programs where members will not be charged copays. Those programs are:
· Family Planning Only Services
· Institutional Medicaid (not including childless adults (CLAs) enrolled in BadgerCare
Plus and residing in an institution)
· Katie Beckett
· Wisconsin Well Woman Medicaid
Exempt Services
The following services do not require copayment:
· Case management services
· Crisis intervention services
· Community support program services
· Emergency services
· Family planning services, including sterilizations
· HealthCheck
· Home care services
· Hospice care services
· Immunizations
· Independent laboratory services
· Injections
· Private Duty Nursing (PDN) and PDN services for ventilator-dependent members
· Pregnancy related services
· Preventive services with an A or B rating from the U.S. Preventive

Services Task Force
· Residential substance use disorder treatment services
· School-based services
· Substance abuse day treatment services
· Surgical assistance

Five Percent Cost Share Limit
Members enrolled in Medicaid programs and QMB may not pay more than 5% of their household income for monthly premiums and copays combined (total cost share). This limit does not apply to deductibles, or patient liability or cost share for long-term care
Medicaid services. However, this cost share limit does not apply to members enrolled in MAPP and SeniorCare.

Misinformation Oftentimes, national sources unfamiliar with the specifics of the Wisconsin Medicaid program will incorrectly state that Medicaid or QMB members have $0 copays.

However, with the exception of the exempt Medicaid programs or medical services listed above, most Medicaid members may be charged copays of up to $3.00 per item or service up to the monthly maximum, if applicable. This even applies to members who
are in dual eligible special needs Medicare Advantage plans (D-SNPs) where the plan’s evidence of coverage states that copays are $0.
For more information, contact your health plan directly or call the number on the back of your ForwardHealth card.

05/05/2026

Medicare Participating, Non-participating, and
Opt-out Providers
Mary Kempf for the GWAAR Legal Services Team

Understanding the differences between Medicare providers will help you make better health care decisions and avoid costly medical bills. Learning these differences will also help you choose the Medicare plan that is right for you and help you choose providers that maximize your Medicare benefits. Below are brief descriptions of the different types of providers and how they might affect your out-of-pocket costs.

Participating Providers
Participating providers will accept Medicare and accept assignment. Accepting assignment means the provider will accept the Medicare approved amount as the full payment for the service they provide. Participating providers will bill Medicare for the service they rendered. You will receive a Medicare Summary Notice or MSN, detailing the cost of the service and what Medicare paid. The MSN will also have a summary of your out-of-pocket costs.
Your out-of-pocket costs will depend on whether your deductibles are met and what type of service you receive. For example, if you receive a Part B service, you will have a 20% coinsurance. If you have a Medicare supplement policy, you may have coinsurance, copays, and some deductible costs paid for. If you want to know more about what Original Medicare covers, you can contact 1-800-MEDICARE or read the Medicare & You ; You 2026 handbook found at https://www.medicare.gov/publications/10050- medicare-and-you.pdf

Non-participating Providers
Non-participating providers accept Medicare but will not accept assignment for all claims. This means that they will accept the Medicare approved amount for some services but not all services. They can also include a limiting charge or an additional
15% of the Medicare approved amount. The limiting charge will be your responsibility, and some providers may ask you to pay the full price upfront. This means that you will be charged the Medicare amount plus the 15% limiting charge and any coinsurance.
You will then need to request reimbursement for the Medicare approved amount. When the provider does not accept assignment for a service, the full cost of that service will be your responsibility. You should receive notice of what your estimated out-of-pocket
costs are before the service is rendered to ensure you want to proceed with the service.

Opt-out Providers
Opt-out providers do not accept Medicare at all. They will charge you whatever their price is for that service. This means you will be responsible for the entire bill. Usually, the provider will have you sign a contract for payment and provide a notice of the cost of
the service before the service is rendered. You and the provider will not be able to request payment or reimbursement from Medicare. This means you will be responsible for the entire cost of the service.
Medicare Advantage Plan If you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, you will have a network of providers.
You should check with your plan to ensure that the provider you are seeing is in the network. You should be aware that both the provider and the Medicare Advantage plan
can terminate the contract to work with each other at any time. If this occurs, you should receive a notice alerting you of the change. If your provider is not in network, you will be responsible for the bill. When you understand how different types of providers affect your out-of-pocket costs, you can make better financial decisions. Call and ask your provider if they accept Medicare and Medicare assignments. This is just general information, and it is important
to check with your plan, your provider, and Medicare if you have more questions. Please make sure you read any notice from Medicare to stay up to date on your coverage.

04/08/2026

Your lungs work hard to supply your body with oxygen. It's important to keep them healthy. The most important thing you can do to prevent lung cancer is not smoke.

If you need help quitting, Medicare covers up to 8 counseling sessions in a 12-month period to help you stop smoking or using to***co.

If you're at risk for developing lung cancer, Medicare also covers a lung cancer screening once a year. Talk with your doctor to find out if you're at risk and whether this screening is right for you.

Lung Cancer Screening
Take control of your lung health by quitting to***co and staying smoke-free. Visit CDC.gov/lung-cancer to learn more about lung cancer.

Sincerely,

The Medicare Team

Cigarette smoking is the number one cause of lung cancer.

04/02/2026