ADRC Professionals: Services Included in Adult Long-Term Care Programs—IRIS, Family Care, Partnership, and PACE

Wisconsin has public programs that offer services for older adults and adults with disabilities.

These programs include:

  • IRIS (Include, Respect, I Self-Direct).
  • Family Care.
  • Partnership.
  • PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly).
  • Medicaid.
  • Medicaid ForwardHealth card Services

This handout shows which services are part of each program’s benefit package. Not all services are listed. The services you receive are based on your needs and other program requirements.

Terms to know

Before you view the table of services, make sure you know what each term means.

  • Yes: The program includes and pays for the service. The service may need to be approved first.
  • Limited: The program includes the service but with some restrictions.
  • ForwardHealth card: You must use your Medicaid ForwardHealth card to pay for the service.
  • Medicare: You must use your Medicare plan to pay for the service.

Long-term care services

You may need one or more of the following long-term care services:

Long-term care servicesForwardHealth card services (not part of a program)IRISFamily CarePartnershipPACE

Care coordination

A case manager and nurse keep track of your health, safety, and services

NoHelp from fiscal employer agent and IRIS consultantYes: nurse and care managerYes: physician, nurse practitioner, nurse, and social workerYes: physician, nurse and care manager, PACE center coordinator, therapists, dietitian, and more

Adult day care or respite care

Services for adults who need social or health support and supervision

NoYesYesYesYes

Protective underwear, gloves, and other supplies

Medical equipment, items, devices, and supplies

YesForwardHealth cardYesYesYes

Alcohol and drug treatment

Treatment for substance use disorders

YesForwardHealth cardYesYesYes

Assisted living and residential care services

A home-like living setting that includes care, treatment, and supervision

NoLimitedLimitedLimitedLimited

Communication aids, translator, and interpreter

An item, device, or system that helps you communicate

NoYesYesYesYes

Counseling and therapy

Professional services and treatment

YesYesYesYesYes

Daily living skills training

Teaching skills that help you do daily tasks

NoYesYesYesYes

Home health or personal care

Services that help with daily tasks, such as taking medicine or bathing

YesFowardHealth card or self-directed personal careYesYesYes

Home updates

Looking at current home and making improvements based on need

NoYesYesYesYes

Hospice

Care for a person with a terminal illness

YesMedicare or ForwardHealth cardYes, Medicare, or ForwardHealth cardYes, or Medicare cardYes, or Medicare card

Job services

Support to get and keep a job

NoYesYesYesYes

Meals delivered at home

Prepared, healthy meals sent directly to your home

NoYesYesYesYes

Medical transportation

Transportation to get non-emergency, Medicaid medical services

YesForwardHealth cardYesYesYes

Mental health, mental health day treatment, and community support programs

Coordinated professional care and treatment in the community

YesForwardHealth cardYesYesYes

Non-medical transportation

Transportation services or items that give you access to community services and events

NoYesYesYesYes

Nursing home

Skilled nursing or recovery services

YesNoYesYesYes

Physical, occupational, and speech language therapy

Support that helps with movement, daily living, and communication skills

YesForwardHealth cardYesYesYes

Self-directed goods and services

A service, support, or item that helps with a long-term support need

NoYesLimitedLimitedLimited

Supportive home care

Help with daily tasks, such as eating, grooming, and house cleaning

NoYesYesYesYes

Wheelchairs and other equipment

Controls, equipment, or devices

YesForwardHealth cardYesYesYes

Health and medical services

Health and medical services come from a doctor, nurse, or other qualified medical provider.

These services include:

  • Disease prevention
  • Health maintenance
  • Patient education
Health and medical servicesForwardHealth card Services (not part of a program)IRISFamily CarePartnershipPACE
Dental CareYes, but use Medicare firstPay with Medicare and ForwardHealth cardMCO (Managed Care Organization) coordinates. Pay with Medicare and ForwardHealth card.Yes, but must use a provider in network.Yes, but must use a provider in network.
Doctor servicesYesPay with Medicare and ForwardHealth cardMCO coordinates. Pay with Medicare and ForwardHealth card.Yes, but must use a doctor in network, except for emergency or urgent care.Yes, but must use a doctor in network, except for emergency or urgent care.
Foot care (podiatry)YesPay with Medicare and ForwardHealth cardMCO coordinates. Pay with Medicare and ForwardHealth card.YesYes
HospitalYesPay with Medicare and ForwardHealth cardPay with Medicare and ForwardHealth cardYes, but must use a hospital in network, except for emergency or urgent care.Yes, but must use a hospital in network, except for emergency or urgent care.
PrescriptionYes, but use Medicare Part D firstPay with Medicare and FowardHealth card (use Medicare Part D first)Pay with Medicare and FowardHealth card (use Medicare Part D first)YesYes
Vision (includes eyeglasses)YesPay with Medicare and ForwardHealth cardYes Pay with Medicare and ForwardHealth cardYesYes

Notes

  • With IRIS, you use a budget to buy services, supports, and goods based on your approved IRIS plan. You may employ service providers yourself or work with an agency.
  • When you enroll in Family Care, Partnership, or PACE, you join a managed care organization. They make sure you get long-term care services. You choose your services and providers from a network.
  • You cannot enroll or remain enrolled in IRIS if you live in a nursing home or community-based residential facility.
  • If you need help with personal care tasks, you may qualify for IRIS self-directed personal care. It’s a separate type of service that the program offers in addition to other services you receive through IRIS.

Helpful reminders

  • Estate recovery applies for Family Care, Partnership, PACE, and IRIS. It also applies to personal care paid for by Medicaid card services and nursing home paid for by Medicaid.
  • Are you applying for Partnership? If you are eligible for Medicare, you must enroll in the Partnership managed care organization’s D-SNP (Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans).
  • With PACE, you do not pay prescription copays or deductibles.
  • Program services depend on you and the program you choose.
  • With Family Care, Partnership, and PACE, all providers must contract with the managed care organization.
  • With IRIS, the IRIS consultant agency and fiscal employer agent must authorize all providers.
  • If you have Medicare or are covered under a private health care insurance plan, those plans will be billed before Medicaid because Medicaid is the payor of last resort.

Do you have questions?

Contact:

Glossary

 
Last revised August 17, 2026