IRIS: What's New

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

Featured story

IRIS waiver renewal next steps

Thank you banner

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) would like to thank those who submitted input during the 30-day public comment period from July 7–August 8. We heard from participants, families, caregivers, providers, IRIS contract staff, advocates, and other partners.

Next, DHS will consider public comments and submit a final waiver renewal application to the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services in September. We expect the renewed waiver to be in effect January 1, 2026.

Learn about the IRIS waiver renewal


Other news

Time is running out for vendors to enroll as Medicaid providers

All IRIS vendors must enroll with Wisconsin Medicaid through the ForwardHealth Portal by January 1, 2026. They need to enroll to keep delivering IRIS services next year. The toolkit for IRIS participants is now updated with language about enrolling right away so they can stay on with you next year. | August 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 12, 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 August 21, 2025