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IRIS: News

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

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.

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.

Medicaid home and community-based services rate reform

Providers who offer home and community-based services received a 5% rate increase. This means they make more money for services they offer through Medicaid. Higher rates help providers add staff and continue to offer quality care.

The rate increase started in January 2022. The change applies to many service providers in Medicaid programs, including Family Care, Partnership, and PACE. Learn more about the American Rescue Plan Act: Medicaid HCBS Rate Reform Initiative.

Introducing the 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.

Geographic Service Region reconfiguration

Charge 2 of the 2020-2021 Long-Term Care Advisory Council aims to ensure Wisconsin’s long-term care programs focus on the whole person. That includes a focus on:

  • Access
  • Choice
  • Quality
  • Collaborative relationships
  • Efficiency
  • Cost-effectiveness

As part of this charge, the Council was asked for input on the number of Geographic Service Regions. Read more:

Policy Manual and Work Instructions updates

In 2022, IRIS staff are updating the IRIS Policy Manual and Work Instructions. The goal is to reflect the IRIS 1915(c) waiver that went into effect on January 1, 2021.

New policies and updates will be made to the current manuals. Those changes will be released before this project is finished. They will be shared on the Resources and Reports webpage. You can find them there under the Program Authority and Operations section.

Scorecards

There are IRIS consultant agency and fiscal employer agent scorecards. These tools can be used to help you choose an agency and an agent. In the scorecards, each agency has a star rating. The rating reflects performance on a number of items, including customer satisfaction. You’ll also find more information about the agencies and agents.

You can find the scorecards on the IRIS Participant Information page.

Beware of scam callers

Recently, spam phone calls were made to IRIS participants and their workers. The callers were trying to get personal information. They also demanded the IRIS participant pay money or face being arrested. The callers said they were from the IRIS program, IRIS consultant agencies, or fiscal employer agents. This is a scam.

The IRIS program wants to help you keep your personal information private and secure. We take this very seriously. Your IRIS consultant agency or fiscal employer agent may sometimes call you. However, they will never:

  • Ask you for personal or financial data over the phone.
  • Claim that your information is lost or missing.
  • Threaten you with arrest.

Be careful in calls asking for sensitive personal or financial information. If you get a phone call from someone you do not recognize or if you are not sure if you should provide information to a caller:

  1. Do not give any information to the caller. Hang up.
  2. Write down who the caller was and what the caller wanted. If possible, note the caller’s phone number as well.
  3. Never return a call on the number given to you in the unwanted call. Do not trust the information on your caller ID. Scammers can “spoof” their numbers. They can make it look like they are calling from IRIS or other organizations even when they are not.
  4. As soon as possible, contact your IRIS consultant. Or call the IRIS Call Center at 888-515-4747. Tell them you might have had a scam call.

If you have been scammed or if you think your identity has been stolen, report it. Contact the Federal Trade Commission.

Glossary

 
Last revised October 7, 2024