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IRIS Self-Directed Personal Care

Are you part of the IRIS (Include, Respect, I Self-Direct) program? Do you want more control over your personal care services and providers? IRIS Self-Directed Personal Care (SDPC) could be a good option for you.

If you meet the criteria for Medicaid Personal Care, you have two choices. One is the IRIS SDPC. The other is agency-based personal care through your Medicaid ForwardHealth card.

In IRIS SDPC, if you need help with care (such as dressing, bathing, and eating), you can hire your own personal care workers. You train and oversee them as well. An IRIS SDPC nurse works with you to set up a person-centered plan of care.

Under Wisconsin law, a nurse must help develop each personal care plan. The IRIS SDPC Oversight Agency will provide a nurse for you. Your nurse will help make an IRIS SDPC service plan that fits with your IRIS plan in a way that meets your needs and wishes. A doctor will also help create the plan. This helps ensure it meets your personal care needs.

You will have on-going nurse support, as needed, to be sure you stay healthy and safe. Your My Cares plan outlines the visits you will have from a nurse. In addition, the IRIS SDPC nurse will rescreen you each year. You might be screened more often if your condition changes.

Benefits of IRIS SDPC

You will be able to hire, supervise, and manage your personal care workers. And you will be able to coordinate your care with:

  • Home care.
  • Transportation.
  • Other services.

IRIS SDPC can be used at work or in other settings outside of the home. You may also hire family members to provide your care. However, whoever represents you with IRIS SDPC cannot also provide your personal care.

IRIS SDPC eligibility

If you need help with activities of daily living, you might be eligible for personal care services. If you already have services through a Medicaid Personal Care agency, you already qualify.

You are not eligible for IRIS SDPC if you live in a group residential setting. This includes adult family homes and residential care apartment complexes. An exception is made if the residential provider is a relative of yours.

You can’t be part of agency-based personal care through the Medicaid ForwardHealth card and be part of IRIS SDPC at the same time. However, you can choose to transfer between the two options. Your current plan will continue until the new plan begins.

Who to contact for help

Need more information about IRIS SDPC? Contact:

Glossary

 
Last revised August 22, 2023