IRIS Glossary

Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC)
Local resource centers that provide information on a variety of programs and services, including long-term care options. The ADRC also helps people apply for programs and benefits, including publicly funded long-term care. To find out more about ADRCs please click here.

Cost Share
The amount paid every month to iLIFE in order for you to continue receiving services through IRIS.

Not every participant has a cost share. If you do, it is important to pay it every month. If you have questions about cost share, contact your county’s Income Maintenance Office or contact us.

iLIFE
iLIFE is an IRIS Fiscal Employer Agent, which is an agency that processes your participant-hired worker’s documents, sends payments to your participant-hired worker and/or vendor, collects your cost share payments and helps you stay within your IRIS Allocation.

Include, Respect, I Self-Direct (IRIS)
Wisconsin’s self-directed support program through which you self-manage your long-term care goods, support and services within your IRIS budget. IRIS funding can purchase goods, support and services you choose related to your long-term care outcomes that your friends and family do not already provide. IRIS serves as an alternate choice to managed long-term care programs.

Income Maintenance (IM)
Formerly known as Economic Support, is a regional consortium of counties, a subunit of tribal government, or a state-operated entity, responsible for determining financial eligibility using the state’s Client Assistance for Reemployment and Economic Support (CARES) system. All Medicaid cost share calculations are made by the IM office.

A directory of IM agencies can be found here: Income Maintenance

Individual Support and Service Plan (ISSP)
A written plan you develop, either alone or with help, that lists the goods, support and services you choose to meet your goals and long-term care needs; the cost of services; their frequency; and the provider of each service. Unpaid goods and support, as well as any Medicaid-funded services you receive, are also listed on your plan. Your plan also includes goods, support and services you receive at no cost.

IRIS Budget
The money needed to fund your ongoing services that excludes one-time or high-cost items. Your budget is based on your needs and can be changed if needed. The amount of your budget estimate will be shared with you before you choose IRIS. After you have a plan, your budget is the cost of the IRIS-funded services listed in your support and service plan.

IRIS Consultant (IC)
A trained individual in your community who helps you understand IRIS requirements, helps you develop and implement a support and service plan, and provides assistance as you request.

IRIS Consultant Agency (ICA)
An agency under contract with, and certified by, the Department of Health Services that handles day-to-day IRIS operations; trains, supervises and supports IRIS consultants; reviews support and service plans; and answers questions you, families, providers and others may have. You choose your IRIS consultant agency at your local Aging and Disability Resource Center.

ICAs for the IRIS program: IRIS ICAs

IRIS FISCAL EMPLOYER AGENT (FEA)
The agency under contract with, and certified by, the Department of Health Services that handles employer agent functions, pays the workers and providers you hire, collects cost share payments, completes expenditure reporting, and helps you monitor your IRIS spending. Your IRIS consultant can help you choose your IRIS fiscal employer agent.

IRIS Participant (PPT)
The agency under contract with, and certified by, the Department of Health Services that handles employer agent functions, pays the workers and providers you hire, collects cost share payments, completes expenditure reporting, and helps you monitor your IRIS spending. Your local ADRC can help you choose your IRIS fiscal employer agent.

IRIS SELF-DIRECTED PERSONAL CARE
IRIS participants eligible for Medicaid personal care may self-direct their personal care or receive agency-based Medicaid personal care.

MEDICAID
Also called Title XIX, Title 19, and MA, it is a state- and federal-funded program that purchases certain health-related goods, support, and services.

Participant Start-up Packet
The documents required for participants to complete to have iLIFE as their FEA.

Participant-hired Worker (PHW)
An individual the participant hires to provide services. iLIFE receives and processes all required documents and background checks before payments are made.

Participant-hired Worker (PHW) Start-up Packet
The documents required for your participant-hired worker to receive payment for services. See the Participant-hired Worker Start-up Forms here.

Portal
The time reporting website for you and your participant-hired workers to submit, review and approve time reports online. To sign up for the Portal, call 1-888-800-5599. Click here to log in to the Portal.

SELF-DETERMINATION
A broad concept that means you have control of your life and are a valued citizen in society. Self-determination is based on five basic principles:
1. Freedom to decide how you want to live your life
2. Authority over a specific budget amount
3. Support to organize resources in ways that are meaningful to you
4. Responsibility for your wise use of public dollars
5. Confirmation of your important leadership as an advocate

Timesheet
The payment form used to submit hours worked. The participant or participant’s guardian must approve every timesheet.

Vendor or Provider Agency
The service provider that provides products and/or services. iLIFE receives and processes all required documents before payments are made.

Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS)
The Wisconsin department that sponsors IRIS. The Federal Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services authorize IRIS through Section 1915(c) of the Social Security Act. Learn more at the DHS website.