American Rescue Plan Act: Independent Living Supports Pilot
DHS works to strengthen the ability of Wisconsin residents to live independently for as long as they are able
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to create a new pilot program that is taking place in select areas of the state. The pilot, called the Independent Living Supports Pilot program, offers short-term, flexible, and limited services and supports for people at risk of entering Medicaid long-term care.
Benefits and services
The pilot program helps improve people’s ability to stay in their own homes, potentially easing the increased burden on Wisconsin’s long-term care system as our population ages. This pilot provides invaluable insight about how people seek information about services and supports. It will also help us understand potential barriers in accessing those services.
Example one-time or periodic services
- Specialized medical equipment and supplies
- Assistive technology
- Home and vehicle modifications
- Emergent home clean-up
- Moving services
- Caregiving training and education
- Individual training and education
- Respite (in-home or in a facility)
- Non-medical and medical transportation
- Other (based on support and service needs of customer)
Example continuing services
- Personal care
- Care management
- Supportive home care
- Personal emergency response system
- Meals (for people under age 60)
- Internet/Wi-Fi services
- Financial management and legal assistance
- Other (based on support and service needs of customer)
Eligibility
To be eligible for this pilot, program participants must:
- Be a Wisconsin resident and a U.S. citizen or eligible immigrant (8 U.S.C. 1621(a))
- Live in pilot ADRC or Tribal ADRS agency service area
- Be over age 18
- Not be currently enrolled in Medicaid long-term care programs or living in a licensed or certified residential facility
- Earn less than 300% of the federal poverty level with no deductible or consideration of spousal income
- Have at least one eligible functional need
- Have a qualifying diagnosis (may be a long-term disability) if under age 55
Enrollment period extended
Enrollment for the ILSP program has been extended past March 31, 2024. For more details, view the ILSP Notice (PDF). Contact an ADRC listed below to see if you qualify.
Contact an ADRC
DHS has selected local aging and disability resource centers (ADRCs) to operate the pilot program in limited areas. The ADRCs that have been awarded funds to participate are:
Each selected ADRC will:
- Find eligible participants
- Help them enroll in the pilot
- Coordinate one-time and ongoing services
- Help participants transition to other services when the pilot ends
Providers
Participants will work with the ADRC to develop a plan for purchasing items and services. The program’s third-party administrator will review the service plan and contact providers to make arrangements for invoicing. The Independent Living Supports Pilot is not an insurance program, and it does not have a preferred provider network or use fee schedules.
The Independent Living Supports Pilot is looking for providers willing to support participants in this pilot. If you are a provider already working with individuals in our IRIS and Family Care programs, you would easily qualify to be a provider in the ILSP program. Please contact ilsp@premier-fms.com for more information. The counties participating in the pilot and services needed are listed above on this webpage.
More information is available on the ILSP Provider Fact Sheet (PDF).
Funding
The Independent Living Supports Pilot is possible thanks for federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act. Learn more about this funding, and sign up to receive updates about this funding in Wisconsin.