IRIS (Include, Respect, I Self-Direct)
What is the IRIS program?
IRIS (Include, Respect, I Self-Direct) is a Medicaid long-term care program for older adults and adults with disabilities in Wisconsin. It is a self-directed program. Self-direction means IRIS participants or their legal decision makers are responsible for choosing supports and services they need within their budget, sticking to their budget, hiring and managing providers, and following program rules.
Who is eligible
Your local aging and disability resource center (ADRC) or Tribal aging and disability resource specialist (ADRS) can help you know if you might be eligible for IRIS. You must:
- Live in Wisconsin.
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Be an older adult or an adult with a disability.
- Be enrolled in Medicaid.
- Live in a home, apartment, adult family home, or residential care apartment complex.
- Be functionally eligible. The Long-Term Care Functional Screen helps confirm eligibility.
What services are available
In IRIS, you will have a budget for goods, supports, and services. You or your legal decision maker will be responsible for choosing services based on long-term care needs and outcomes. The services on the plan must fit within the budget. You’ll be able to choose from a range of goods and services, including:
- Adult day care center
- Assistive technology
- Community transportation
- Competitive integrated employment (CIE) exploration
- Consultative clinical and therapeutic services for caregivers
- Counseling, therapeutic, and wellness services
- Day habilitation
- Environmental accessibility adaptations (home modifications)
- Home delivered meals
- Housing counseling
- Individual directed goods and services
- Individual supported employment
- Life skills training and education
- Nursing services
- Prevocational services
- Relocation–community transition services
- Residential services (1-2 bed adult family home, 3-4 bed adult family home, residential care apartment complex)
- Respite
- Small group supported employment
- Specialized medical equipment and supplies
- Support broker services
- Supportive home care
- Training services for unpaid caregivers
- Vehicle modifications
- Virtual monitoring and emergency response systems
- Vocational futures planning and support
How it works
As an IRIS participant, you or your legal decision maker make all your own decisions. Your IRIS consultant provides support along the way. Being in IRIS comes with freedom and responsibility to:
- Manage your own spending choices.
- Plan and spend your IRIS budget.
- Choose your service providers.
- Manage your workers.
Learn more about self-direction in IRIS.
Support from others
Joining IRIS does not mean doing things all by yourself. You will have others to help you along the way. You will have both an IRIS consultant agency and a fiscal employer agent to help guide you.
Costs
IRIS is a Medicaid program. There is no cost for you to join.
Some people may have to pay a monthly payment called a cost share. Your cost share amount is based on your income and determines your eligibility for Medicaid and IRIS. If you have a cost share, you will get a bill from your fiscal employer agent every month. You must make sure you pay it on time. If you don’t, your enrollment in the IRIS program could be ended.
Who to contact for help
IRIS participants
If you are already a part of IRIS and need help, contact your IRIS consultant. You can also contact the IRIS Call Center at 888-515-4747.
General questions
Mail: Wisconsin Department of Health Services
Division of Medicaid Services
IRIS Management Section
201 E. Washington Ave.
PO Box 309
Madison WI 53701-0309
Phone: 888-515-4747
Fax: 608-224-5727
Email: DHSIRIS@wisconsin.gov