IRIS: What's New
Stay up to date with latest news and updates about the IRIS (Include, Respect, I Self-Direct) program.
Featured story
You’re the Medicaid expert Wisconsin needs
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is putting together a Medicaid Member Experience Council (MMEC). It’s a group of people with experience using Medicaid who’ll help us make it better.
- Build a better future for Medicaid. As an MMEC ambassador, you will help us focus on topics that are important. You’ll partner with us on improvements to make Medicaid better for everyone. Together, we’ll build trust and pave the way for change.
- Join in and speak up. You will connect with decision makers to tell us what’s working, and what’s not. You’ll be involved every step of the way, from finding gaps in services, to proposing solutions, to making decisions on what to do next.
Learn more about MMEC and apply by May 12
Other news
New toolkit for IRIS participants about provider enrollment with Medicaid
Many IRIS providers and vendors must enroll with Wisconsin Medicaid through the ForwardHealth Portal by January 1, 2026. A toolkit is now available to help IRIS participants talk with providers and vendors and give them resources to enroll. | March 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
IRIS waiver renewal
DHS is renewing the IRIS program waiver. This is a chance for us to make IRIS better between 2026 and 2031. We need input from IRIS participants, families and friends, caregivers and providers, IRIS contract staff, advocates, and other partners and support staff. | 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
Corrective action
iLIFE
iLIFE contracts with DHS for the IRIS program. DHS has ordered iLIFE to correct issues within its IRIS program. iLIFE will be under corrective action until all requirements are met.