Family Care, Family Care Partnership, and PACE: What’s New

Learn about program changes and new resources.

DHS seeks applicants for state long-term care advisory councils | Deadline to apply November 1, 2024

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is seeking qualified applicants to fill vacancies on two state long-term care advisory councils. The deadline to apply is Friday, November 1, 2024. Information regarding both opportunities is below.

Wisconsin Long-Term Care Advisory Council (WLTCAC)

The WLTCAC serves as an advisory body to DHS on existing and emerging aging, disability, and long-term care systems issues. Members provide advice and make recommendations to the DHS Secretary regarding long-term care policy, programs, and services. Learn more about WLTCAC.

IRIS Advisory Committee (IAC)

The IAC is a workgroup established to provide recommendations to the DHS program staff on issues related to administration of the IRIS program. IRIS (Include, Respect, I Self-Direct) is a self-directed program for adults with disabilities and elderly people. IAC members are individuals who have relevant knowledge, experience, expertise, and community relationships that allow them to present ideas, opinions, or facts for the betterment of the IRIS program. Learn more about the IAC.

How to apply

Applications of interest to serve on these two councils can be found on the DHS website:

If you would like to request a paper application or need an accommodation or assistance with completing your application, please contact DHS Long-Term Care at 608-267-7286 or DHSDMSLTC@dhs.wisconsin.gov. Please include the name of the council to which you are applying.

More managed care options for Family Care and Family Care Partnership

Starting in January 2025, almost 8,000 Family Care and Family Care Partnership (Partnership) members in South Central Wisconsin will have more choices in who helps manage their long-term care. Members in Adams, Columbia, Dane, Dodge, Green Lake, Jefferson, Marquette, Rock, and Waushara counties will be able to choose from four managed care organizations (MCOs) for Family Care. That's an increase from the two currently available. Wisconsinites in these nine counties will also all have the option to participate in Partnership—a first for residents in five of these counties. For more details, please view our news release.

Updated Wisconsin Medicaid Standards for Certified 1-2 Bed Adult Family Homes

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has updated the Wisconsin Medicaid Standards for Certified 1-2 Bed Adult Family Homes (AFH), P-00638 (PDF), to:

Include more health and safety provisions for people living in 1-2 bed adult family homes (AFH).
Better align with Chapter DHS 83 (community-based residential facilities).
Better align with DHS 88 (licensed adult family homes).
Include standardized reporting criteria.
Better align with HCBS Settings Rule requirements.

The new standards are effective August 1, 2024, for all agencies. Agencies will recertify 1-2 bed AFHs using the updated standards at the next renewal date.

Background

The Wisconsin Medicaid Standards for Certified 1-2 Bed Adult Family Homes help protect and promote the health, safety, and welfare of people living in and getting support, services, and supervision in AFHs.

These standards apply to:

Managed care organizations operating Family Care, Family Care Partnership, and PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly).
The IRIS (Include, Respect, I Self-Direct) program.
County agencies that certify and serve as placing agencies for AFHs.
AFH providers, operators, substitute and/or respite care providers, staff who work in an AFH covered by these standards, and the residents served in the AFH and their legal decision-makers.

Learn more about the standards and the certification process.

Read and share the Wisconsin IDD-MH System Improvement Report

DHS released the Wisconsin IDD-MH System Improvement Report (PDF) on June 25, 2024. The report includes 37 specific recommendations from DHS, self-advocates, partners, providers, and others from across the state for how to improve systems and services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and mental health (IDD-MH) needs. Read the report and visit the Wisconsin IDD-MH System Improvement webpage for more information and key actions we can take to keep this important work going.

Family Care and Family Care Partnership Waiver Renewal

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is renewing the Family Care and Family Care Partnership 1915(b) and 1915(c) waivers. A waiver is a special set of rules that allows us to have Medicaid programs like Family Care. Together, the 1915(b) and 1915(c) waivers are the rules that make up the Family Care program.

We must renew the waivers every five years. This is a chance for us to make Family Care and Family Care Partnership better between 2025 and 2030. The programs help older adults and adults with disabilities. The goal is to get members the services they need to live in a home setting when possible. Find more information about the Family Care and Family Care Partnership waiver renewal application the Waiver Renewal webpage.

Medicaid renewals underway

For the first time since March 2020, some members of Family Care, Family Care Partnership, PACE, and other Wisconsin Medicaid members must complete an annual renewal process. If you are a member of Family Care, Family Care Partnership, or PACE, it’s important to complete and submit your renewal as soon as you can after receiving your renewal packet in the mail. And if you plan to send in your information by mail or fax, build in extra time!

American Rescue Plan Act

Wisconsin’s commitment to home and community-based services (HCBS) received a boost, thanks to the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). An estimated $350 million in federal funding will help state residents who are elderly or have a disability receive much-needed services to allow them to live as independently as possible. This new funding supports improvements to Wisconsin’s HCBS programs that are unique to the needs and priorities of our residents.

Geographic service region (GSR) maps

Program enrollment

See how many people enroll in our programs each month.

Adult Long-Term Care Update and ForwardHealth Portal enhancements

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has published the first issue of the new Adult Long-Term Care Update 2022-01 (PDF). This publication will share important information that affects service providers and other interested parties for Wisconsin Medicaid's adult long-term care programs:

In addition to the new publication, DHS is also launching enhancements to the ForwardHealth Portal to add content for adult long-term care administrators and providers. Read the Adult Long-Term Care Update 2022-01 (PDF) for more information about the new publication and enhancements coming to the ForwardHealth Portal.

Requests for proposals

We request proposals as our first step in finding MCOs for Family Care. Our web page has details about the Request for Proposal process.