FEA Toolkit for Adult Long-Term Care Provider Enrollment
All providers and vendors of home and community-based services under an adult long-term care (LTC) waiver program must enroll with Wisconsin Medicaid through the ForwardHealth Portal by January 1, 2026. Providers who do not enroll by the deadline will not be able to deliver Medicaid services and their Medicaid claims will be denied. Fiscal employer agents (FEAs) are key partners to communicate this new requirement to providers and vendors. FEAs are also key in ensuring IRIS participants are aware of this new requirement, and supported to communicate with their vendors about it.
We need your help. 2026 is closer than it seems, and time is running out to process enrollment applications and authorize services by January 1. FEAs are required to share the following resources with vendors to help us get as close to 100% enrollment by the new year as possible.
Who to share these materials with
The following providers and entities should enroll with Wisconsin Medicaid through the ForwardHealth Portal as soon as possible:
- Organizations and agencies
- Sole proprietors
- Individuals who are not participant-hired workers
Please note: participant-hired workers do not have to enroll with Wisconsin Medicaid. The requirement does not apply to them so they will keep working as usual.
Enrollment progress tracker
Partners across Wisconsin are working together to enroll all adult LTC waiver services providers by the January 1, 2026, deadline. DHS is sharing enrollment progress so everyone knows how close to 100% enrollment the state is. Numbers are updated monthly.
Providers already enrolled: 2,400
Providers not yet enrolled: 5,600 (estimated)
Total providers expected to enroll: 8,000 (estimated)
Materials you're required to use share
How to use it
Use while calling unenrolled vendors to remind them about the enrollment requirement
How to use it
- Add a link to it on your website or vendor portal
- Link to it in an automatic response message for email addresses frequently used by vendors
- Share it in an email or newsletter
- Include a printed copy when sending direct mail to your vendors
How to use it
- Add a link to it on your website or vendor portal
- Link to it in an automatic response message for email addresses frequently used by vendors
- Share it in an email or newsletter
- Include a printed copy when sending direct mail to your vendors
How to use it
Send monthly via email directly to vendors who have yet to start an enrollment application, based on the reports DHS sends.
Get the email for providers
Copy and paste the content below, and customize anything in [brackets]:
As you know, there is a new requirement for providers to enroll with Wisconsin Medicaid through the ForwardHealth Portal by January 1, 2026, to remain a Medicaid provider and get reimbursed for Medicaid services. You are receiving this notice because our records indicate you have not yet completed this requirement. Time is running out to process provider enrollment applications and authorize services in time to avoid disruptions in the new year. Please take some time in the next month to enroll.
[Providers / Vendors] should enroll now
If you are any of the following provider types, you should enroll now:
- Organizations and agencies
- Sole proprietors
- Individuals who are not self-directed support workers
- Individuals who deliver supportive home care along with other services
We would like to remind you that:
- You cannot get paid for delivering Medicaid services in homes or in the community if you do not enroll before [January 1, 2026 OR date set by MCO/FEA].
- After you enroll, [we OR the IRIS consultant agency you work with] must also authorize your services before you can be paid for Medicaid services.
- You cannot backdate your enrollment to a date before you submitted your application.
- Medicaid members and families cannot be held liable for paying for Medicaid services you don’t get reimbursed for.
Who does not need to enroll
If you are any of the following provider types, this new requirement does not affect you and you do not need to enroll:
- Participant-hired workers
- Individual self-directed support workers
How to start your enrollment
First, gather materials
You’ll need the following information to complete your application:
- Tax identification number(s)
- National Provider Identifier (NPI), if you have one
- Address
- Name and address of owners and managing employees
- Any applicable professional license or certification information
Use the Provider Enrollment Checklist: www.forwardhealth.wi.gov/WIPortal/content/pdf/
LTCPM_Care_Enrollment_Provider_Checklist.pdf.spage
Next, start your application
Visit forwardhealth.wi.gov/WIPortal/Subsystem/Certification/EnrollmentCriteria.aspx to start your enrollment application today.
Help is available
Visit forwardhealth.wi.gov/WIPortal/cms/public/ltc/provider_enrollment.htm for information about the requirement and to get key resources, including:
- Recorded trainings
- Adult Long-Term Care Updates
- Questions and answers
- Contacts for assistance
Call Provider Services at 800-947-9627 if you have questions or need help. Representatives are available Monday–Friday, 7 a.m.–6 p.m. Central time. When you call, say, “LTC Waiver” at the menu prompt to speak with a representative about LTC provider enrollment.
You can get notifications and reminders sent right to your email by signing up for the Adult LTC Waiver Provider email list at www.forwardhealth.wi.gov/WIPortal/Subsystem/KW/Subscriptions.aspx.
How to use it
Include in regular channels you use to communicate with new and existing vendors, such as:
- Webpages about vendor enrollment
- Vendor FAQs
- Newsletters, bulletins, or updates
Get the short provider article
Copy and paste the content below, and customize anything in [brackets]:
Time is Running Out to Enroll with Medicaid using the ForwardHealth Portal by 2026
2026 is closer than it seems! We urge all our [providers / vendors] delivering Medicaid waiver authorized services to enroll with Wisconsin Medicaid through the ForwardHealth Portal right away. Enrolling now will help you avoid disruptions in the new year. That’s important for both you and the Medicaid members you serve!
If you haven’t already, start your Wisconsin Medicaid provider enrollment application today at forwardhealth.wi.gov/WIPortal/Subsystem/Certification/EnrollmentCriteria.aspx. Enrolling now will let you:
- Get paid in 2026. You won’t get paid for delivering Medicaid services in homes or communities if you don’t enroll by [January 1, 2026 OR date set by MCO/FEA]. [information about MCO- or FEA-specific timelines regarding authorizations.] Keep in mind, you can’t backdate your enrollment to a date before you submitted your application, and Medicaid members and families cannot be held liable for paying for Medicaid services you don’t get reimbursed for.
- Help the people you serve get seamless care. Medicaid members depend on service providers like you to get vital care. Staying on with them means they won’t have to find new service providers next year.
- Join more than 2,000 other providers who’ve already enrolled. Our goal is 100% enrollment by the new year, but time is running out.
Find everything you need to enroll at forwardhealth.wi.gov/WIPortal/cms/public/ltc/provider_enrollment.htm—on-demand trainings, resources, help, and more. Make sure to subscribe to the Adult LTC Waiver Provider email list by going to www.forwardhealth.wi.gov/WIPortal/Subsystem/KW/Subscriptions.aspx—you’ll get updates, reminders, and resources sent right to your inbox.
How to use it
Place prominently on materials and channels your vendors see regularly when filing claims or getting paid, such as:
- Claims portals
- Payment receipts
- Claims-related letters
- Monthly statements
Get the banner message
Copy and paste the content below:
Short banner message
Keep getting paid in 2026. All providers of Medicaid waiver authorized services must get a Medicaid ID by enrolling with Wisconsin Medicaid through the ForwardHealth Portal by January 1, 2026. Get started: forwardhealth.wi.gov/WIPortal/cms/public/ltc/provider_enrollment.htm
Long banner message
Attention all providers: Time is running out to enroll with Medicaid using the ForwardHealth Portal. All providers of Medicaid waiver authorized services must get a Medicaid ID number by January 1, 2026, to avoid disruptions in the new year. Some providers may have to enroll for each location where they provide services. If you do not have a Medicaid ID number by January 1, 2026, you cannot provide services or receive payment from managed care organizations (MCOs) or IRIS (Include, Respect, I Self-Direct).
Find information and trainings about this requirement on the ForwardHealth Portal: forwardhealth.wi.gov/WIPortal/cms/public/ltc/provider_enrollment.htm
How to use it
Include in your monthly newsletter for IRIS participants
Get the short IRIS participant article
Copy and paste the content below:
Time is running out for your vendors to enroll as Medicaid providers
2026 is closer than it seems! Your vendors deliver important services to you through IRIS. Many of your vendors have to enroll with Wisconsin Medicaid and get a Medicaid provider ID. They need to do this as soon as possible. If they’re not enrolled by January 1, 2026, they won’t be able to deliver your services in the new year. That means you’ll have to find new vendors before January 1 if they don’t enroll.
As your fiscal employer agent (FEA), we know about this new requirement. We’re helping make sure your vendors enroll by the deadline. We need your help to remind them, too! You should talk with your vendors to make sure they know about the enrollment requirement. Tell them how important it is to enroll as soon as possible!
Resources for you
- The Adult Long-Term Care Provider Enrollment IRIS Tip Sheet (dhs.wi.gov/iris/ltcpm-iris-tip-sheet.pdf) is a short explanation of the enrollment requirement
- The IRIS Participant toolkit (dhs.wi.gov/iris/participant-ltcpm-toolkit.htm) has resources to help you talk with your vendors.
- Your IRIS consultant should talk with you about this requirement at your next meeting. If you have questions, have them ready for this meeting. They’re there to help you.
Participant-hired workers don’t have to enroll
Participant-hired workers do not have to enroll with Wisconsin Medicaid. The requirement does not apply to them, so they will keep working as usual.
Tip: You can see what types of providers or vendors you have in your Individual Services and Supports Plan.
Ask questions right away
If you have questions or need help understanding something, talk with your IRIS consultant. They know about this new enrollment requirement and can help you figure out how to make sure your vendors take action.
How to use it
Provide to your call center staff to use when IRIS participants call with questions about the new provider enrollment process
Get the FEA support line talking points for IRIS participants
Download the FEA support line talking points for IRIS participants (PDF)
How to use it
Provide to your call center staff to use when vendors call with questions about the new provider enrollment process
Get the FEA support line talking points for providers
Download the FEA support line talking points for providers (PDF)
Please do not download and save the materials in the table above. Make sure to access these materials using the links above each time you want to use them! DHS will refresh the content throughout the year, so providers are always seeing something new and fresh.
If you have questions, feedback, or other ideas for increasing early enrollment, email us at LTCProviderEnrollment@wisconsin.gov. We also encourage you to sign up for the Adult LTC Waiver Provider email list to get news and resources.