Waiver Description
Include, Respect, I Self Direct (IRIS) is a Medicaid HCBS waiver available to elderly and disabled Wisconsin residents that provides a variety of services and supports for long-term care outside of a skilled nursing facility. This program is based on the cash and counseling model, which is also referred to as consumer or participant direction. In this model of program, the enrolled individual, their legal guardian, or their power of attorney is responsible for self-directing their care instead of having the state act solely on their behalf.
A qualified participant, working with a case manager, determines their desired outcomes from long term care. They decide what sort of living arrangements and later life care they hope to achieve. Then they identify the care services, goods and other supports necessary to achieve those outcomes; this is collectively referred to as their “service and support plan.” A budget is allocated for the plan that the participant controls and is free to spend on anything outlined in the plan. The individuals select from whom to purchase goods and services, including their personal care service.
In IRIS, one’s family can be hired and paid to provide personal care services.
One particularly attractive component of the IRIS program is that individuals can hire family and friends as their caregivers. Family members, including spouses and the adult children of aging parents, can be paid for providing personal care services. However, one exception is for a live-in caregiver, in which family members cannot be paid to provide this service.
Caregivers are subject to background checks, must be qualified to provide the care, and must pay taxes on the wages they receive. Specifically for the IRIS program, this option is called self directed personal care (SDPC).
This program is not limited to individuals living at home. Those residing in adult family homes, group homes, and even some assisted living communities are eligible to participate in this program. However, persons may be eligible for a broader range of services and supports if they live at home.
Please note that the IRIS program is referred to by a variety of different names, including Wisconsin’s Self-Directed Supports Program, Include, Respect, I Self-Direct, IRIS-SDPC, and formerly, the SDS Waiver. IRIS became available statewide in July of 2018.
What is a Medicaid Waiver?
Medicaid Waivers, also known as Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Waivers, allow qualifying program participants to receive services outside of a nursing home. Medicaid’s standard benefit is to pay for nursing home care. However, those who wish to live at home, in assisted living or in adult foster care, sometimes Medicaid will pay for nursing-home-level care in those locations if it can be obtained at a lower cost than in a nursing home.
Eligibility Guidelines
IRIS is a Medicaid program and, as such, participants must meet the criteria for Medicaid. Both the applicant’s functional ability and their financial resources are factors in determining IRIS eligibility.
General Requirements
Functionally, applicants must require a level of care that is consistent with the care provided in a nursing home or an intermediate care facility for persons with intellectual disabilities. For those between the ages of 18 to 64, they must be disabled. Those 65 years of age and older do not need to be disabled, but still must meet the level of care need. In addition, applicants must require assistance to perform the activities of daily living. During enrollment and periodically thereafter, participants are assessed to identify their level of need.
Financial Requirements
When it comes to financial eligibility, Wisconsin Medicaid considers both the applicant’s income and financial resources.
Income Limits
The 2024 income limit is $2,829 per month. However, there are exceptions to this limit. For example, when only one spouse of a married couple is seeking benefits, the state only looks at the income in the name of the applicant — their spouse’s income is not relevant. In fact, under certain circumstances, the applicant spouse may even be able transfer up to $3,853.50 a month of their income to their non-applicant spouse.
When both spouses are applying, each spouse is allowed $2,829 a month in income.
Asset Limits
An individual cannot have more than $2,000 in total countable assets. However, when only one spouse of a married couple is applying, the non-applicant spouse can keep 50% of the couple’s assets, up to $154,140 (as of 2024). If the couple’s assets are under $50,000, the non-applicant spouse can keep all of the assets, up to this amount.
Items that are not considered “countable” include the equity value of their home (up to $750,000), household furnishings, personal items, and one car, and therefore do not count toward the asset limit.
For couple when both spouses are applying, the limit is $4,000.
Over the Financial Limits?
Persons exceeding these limits have a few options, such as converting a life insurance policy or purchase an irrevocable funeral trust. Funds placed in a funeral trust are restricted for memorial or funeral services only and are exempt from consideration by the Medicaid office. Professional Medicaid planners that focus on helping families restructure their resources so applicants can qualify are highly recommended when over the limits. Learn more about how planners work.
Medicaid has a 60-month look-back period in which all transfers within this time frame are scrutinized. Assets are not allowed to be gifted in order to meet financial requirements, otherwise the individual will be penalized with a period of Medicaid ineligibility.
Benefits and Services
Each participant receives a customized service and support plan and a budget. This plan outlines the services, goods and supports on which they can spend the budget. What can be included in the plan is broadly defined as anything that helps the individual maintain their independence, provided the cost does not exceed the cost for the same item or service provided under other Medicaid programs.
More specifically, what follows are many commonly included items and services. It is worth noting that this is not an exhaustive list.
- Adaptive Aids / Vehicle Modifications (toilet risers, shower chairs, van lifts, etc.)
- Adult Day Care (up to 8 hours a day)
- Adult Family Home / Adult Foster Care
- Assistive Technology / Communication Aids
- Consultative Clinical and Therapeutic Services for Caregivers
- Counseling and Therapeutic Resources
- Customized Goods and Services
- Daily Living Skills Training
- Fiscal Employer Agent Services (for self-directed option)
- Home Delivered Meals
- Home Modification
- Live-in Caregiver
- Nursing Services
- Personal Emergency Response System
- Personal Care Services
- Relocation Services
- Respite Care (in-home and out-of-home)
- Specialized Medical Equipment and Supplies
- Supportive Home Care
- Training for Unpaid Caregivers
- Non-Medical Transportation
How to Apply / Learn More
The application process begins by applying for Medicaid with one’s local Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC). A complete list of county-by-county ADRC contacts is available here.
One can learn more about this program on the IRIS website or by calling 888-515-IRIS (4747).
