Resources for IRIS Consultant Agencies, Fiscal Employer Agents, and the Self Directed Personal Care Agency

Information about the COVID-19 virus is changing rapidly. This page provides resources for IRIS (Include, Respect, I Self-Direct) Consultant Agencies (ICAs), Fiscal Employer Agents (FEAs), and the Self Directed Personal Care (SDPC) agency so they can better coordinate services and support participants.
COVID-19 Unwinding Resources

IRIS Program FAQs

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has answered IRIS COVID-19 FAQs (last updated 3/1/22) from ICAs, FEAs, and the SDPC agency about temporary program and policy changes during COVID-19. ICAs, FEAs, and SDPC agencies may submit questions to DHSDMSCOVID19@dhs.wisconsin.gov. These FAQs will be updated regularly.

PHE Unwinding Updates

• Frequently Asked COVID-19 Unwinding Questions for IRIS Contractors

Telehealth Resources for Providers

The Telehealth Resources for Providers page includes summaries and explanations of the recently published materials, billing guidance, and resources related to telehealth. ForwardHealth has answered questions about the telehealth policy changes.

Personal Protective Equipment

For up-to-date information about personal protective equipment (PPE) guidance and information, visit the COVID-19: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) DHS webpage. Information about requesting PPE can be found in the COVID-19: PPE Request Process for Long-Term Care Providers Caring for COVID-19 Positive Individuals email subscription message.

Sign up for Email Subscription Messages

Sign up for email subscription messages to receive messages like the ones below about important information and policy changes:

• COVID-19 Safety During the Holiday Season(11/22/21)

Distributed Communications

The following DHS communications are related to IRIS:
  2022:

• Updated! IRIS COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions (3/1/22)
• Updated! COVID-19 IRIS Consultant Agency Guidance (3/1/22)

• Adult Long-Term Care Contractor COVID-19 Vaccination Contacts (3/26/21)
• Long-Term Care Participant Vaccination FAQs for Program Administrators (3/8/21)
• Updated Temporary Guidance for IRIS Remote Waiver Services (1/20/21)

• Collaborative Decision Making During COVID-19: A Guide for IRIS Participants (9/3/20)
• IRIS Contact Standards During the COVID-19 Emergency (Revised 5/13/20)
• IRIS COVID-19: Individual Support and Service Plan Authorization (4/29/20)
• Visitation Letter for Family Care and IRIS (4/28/20)
• Updated Process for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requests (4/25/20)
• Use of Remote Support Providers in Regulated Adult Family Homes (4/24/20)
• COVID-19: PPE Request Process for Long-Term Care Providers Caring for COVID-19 Positive Individuals (4/9/20)
• IRIS Stakeholders: Interim Process for IRIS 1-2 Bed Adult Family Home Providers During COVID-19 (3/31/20)
• Home and Community-Based Services Waivers: Suspension of On-site Home and Community-Based Settings Rule Compliance Assessments (3/31/20)
• Adult Day Services Guidelines (3/20/20)
• Adult Family Home Guidelines (3/20/20)
• Wisconsin Medicaid Managed Care Response to COVID-19 Outbreak IRIS Bulletin (3/20/20)

Other Resources and Links

• COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease) DHS webpage
• COVID-19: Health Care Providers DHS webpage
• COVID-19: ForwardHealth Program Updates DHS webpage (for participants and members)
• Wisconsin Medicaid Response to COVID-19 Outbreak Member Bulletin
• COVID-19 PHE Unwinding Resources