IRIS: What's New

Stay up to date with latest news and updates about the IRIS (Include, Respect, I Self-Direct) program.

Featured story

Request for public comment on the draft IRIS waiver renewal application

We want your Feedback in speech bubble with a megaphone

Last year, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) gathered feedback about how to improve the IRIS (Include, Respect, I Self-Direct) program. We heard from participants, families, caregivers, providers, IRIS contract staff, advocates, and other partners. We used that input to draft changes to the program waiver. Now, we want your input on those changes.

Public comment is a time to share your thoughts on changes to the IRIS waiver. Submit your comments on the draft IRIS waiver renewal application (PDF) by August 8, 2025.

Learn about the IRIS waiver renewal and how to submit comments


Other news

Updated toolkit helps IRIS participants talk with providers and vendors about enrolling with Medicaid

Many IRIS providers and vendors must enroll with Wisconsin Medicaid through the ForwardHealth Portal by January 1, 2026, to keep delivering IRIS services next year. The toolkit for IRIS participants is now updated with new and improved items to help explain the importance of enrolling. | June 2025

FEA request for proposal

On June 5, 2025, DHS published a request for proposal (RFP) to procure fiscal employer agent (FEA) services for IRIS. The RFP is posted on eSupplier as S-1640 DMS-25. The RFP is open until 2 p.m. CT on August 1, 2025. Instructions for submitting questions and RFP responses are available on eSupplier. | June 2025

ICA expands services

First Person Care Consultants, an IRIS consultant agency (ICA), expanded their services to participants in Crawford, Grant, Green, Iowa, Juneau, Lafayette, Richland, and Sauk counties. | January 2025

Get involved in the Wisconsin IDD-MH System Improvement project

The project steering committee is getting ready to choose which of the 37 recommendations from the Wisconsin IDD-MH System Improvement Report (PDF) to start working on, and who will work on them. | December 2024

Adult Long-term Care Provider Management Project—enrollment now open

As of September 16, 2024, adult long-term care waiver services providers must enroll with Wisconsin Medicaid through the ForwardHealth Portal. | September 2024

Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) and IRIS

Electronic visit verification hard launch for personal care and certain supportive home care services (service codes T1019, T1020, S5125, S5126) began on May 1, 2023. | May 2023

Glossary

 
Last revised July 8, 2025