Transitioning to adult healthcare can present challenges for teens and their families. Teens need to learn, practice and become confident in skills to manage their own health. Learn more about self-management.

Families also need to learn about adult services that will help support their teen in the adult world. Use this Care Notebook to organize, plan and access resources.

Decision Making

Around the age of 13 or 14, teens gain rights to consent for certain kinds of medical care. By the age of 18, they legally become responsible for their health care.

Learn more about decision making.

Transition Planning

Transitioning to adult care requires many considerations depending on the health needs of the teen. They may include:

• Self-management of existing medical conditions
• Understanding medications, when to take them and how to refill them
• Ordering equipment and supplies
• Financial planning
• Obtaining and managing services
• Education and employment

MyChart Access

Teens can have their own MyChart account at age 14 with parental consent. This allows teens to begin managing some aspects of their healthcare. Parents can request access for their teen by completing this form.

Once a teen turns 18, they can allow parents to have access to their MyChart record. They need to complete this form.

Healthcare Provider

Teens must choose a new primary care doctor and specialty providers when they turn 18. They may want to meet with more than one provider before deciding on the one that is right for them.

• Teens can talk to their Children’s Wisconsin provider(s) to get recommendations for adult care.
• Teens should call their insurance company about providers they can see and are covered by their insurance plan.
• Complete this medical summary emergency plan to communicate health needs to a new provider.

Health Coverage

It is important to always have health insurance to help pay for healthcare needs. It can be obtained in several ways.

• Through employment. Check with their employer for details.
• Remaining on your parents’ insurance for a time. Check with the insurance provider for specific details.
• Get a Marketplace plan (also known as Obamacare). Financial help is based on how much they earn. For more details call 1-800-318-2596.
• In Wisconsin, if a teen’s insurance is under their parents’ BadgerCare plan, it will change when they turn 19 years old. They will need to apply for their own plan. Learn more about Medicaid in Wisconsin.

Education and Employment

If a teen has an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or a 504 plan in high school, they can stay in school until they:

• earn enough credits to graduate or
• turn 21 years old.

A vocation or transition coordinator at their high school can help make a plan for the future. The local Department of Workforce Development (DWD) can also help.

Persons with disabilities may be able to get Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Apply or reapply in the month when the teen turns 18 years old. Do not do it any earlier or parents’ income will be counted.

If they receive Medicaid or SSI and also start to work, it is very important to find out how much can be earned and still keep benefits. Talk with an assigned caseworker.

Mental Health

The transition to adulthood brings change, stress, and challenges and can affect a teen’s mental health. This may be compounded by existing mental health issues. A transition to a new mental health provider may be necessary depending on the provider.

• Learn more about our walk-in mental health care clinics. They provide same-day care for children and teens experiencing urgent mental health issues.
• Call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
• The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has resources for young adults.
• Use this Mental Health Crisis Card in a mental health crisis.

Complex Care

A teen with complex health care needs may require additional considerations as they transition to adult care.

Learn more about complex care.

For Parents

Let your teen take the lead, as they are able, before they turn 18. Encourage them to be part of the decision-making process and to ask questions.

• Ages 12–14: Providers and families begin discussing independence, selfmanagement skills, and the future shift. Teens gain rights to medical confidentiality for certain services. Consider allowing the teen to get their own access to their MyChart account.
• Age 16–17: Families evaluate whether the teen can manage care independently or if legal/decision-making support (such as a health care power of attorney or guardianship) is needed once they turn 18.
• Age 18: The young adult legally becomes responsible for their own medical consent, privacy, and health insurance decisions.
• Ages 18–21+: The complete handoff to adult primary/specialty providers typically finalizes by age 21. Young adults can often stay on a parent's health insurance plan until age 26.

Find more resources for transition to adult care.