DHA Case No. MGE 216109 (Wis. Div. Hearings and Appeals Feb. 14, 2025) (DHS) ↓ Download PDF To be eligible for Community Waivers Medicaid programs, an individual must be elderly, blind, or disabled. In this case, the petitioner was 28 years old and working full time at $15.50 per hour, though he had at some […] Read more

DHA Case No. CWA 216242 (Wis. Div. Hearings and Appeals Feb. 14, 2025) (DHS) ↓ Download PDF Before taking any negative action, the Medicaid agency must give adequate notice. In this case, TMG mailed notice of IRIS disenrollment due to a missed renewal to the wrong address. ALJ Brian Schneider concluded the petitioner did not […] Read more

DHA Case No. FCP 216208 (Wis. Div. Hearings and Appeals Feb. 21, 2025) (DHS) ↓ Download PDF In the Family Care program, the MCO must develop an Individual Service Plan that reasonably and effectively addresses all of the client’s long-term needs—but it must also be cost effective, and it can exclude a service the client […] Read more

DHA Case No. MGE 215203 (Wis. Div. Hearings and Appeals Dec. 12, 2024) (DHS) ↓ Download PDF At the first renewal, an individual receiving long-term care Medicaid benefits must have no more than $2,000; there is no limit on a community spouse’s assets. In this case, the petitioner’s renewal was denied because he still owned […] Read more

DHA Case No. CWA 215956 (Wis. Div. Hearings and Appeals Feb. 28, 2025) (DHS) ↓ Download PDF To be approved as part of an IRIS budget, services must generally be cost-effective. In this case, the petitioner requested a budget amendment to pay $30 and $35 per hour for Supportive Home Care (SHC) services. The agency […] Read more

DHA Case No. FCP 215902 (Wis. Div. Hearings and Appeals Feb. 19, 2025) (DHS) ↓ Download PDF An irrevocable burial trust (as opposed to a life insurance-funded burial contract) is exempt up to $4,500; any amount over that is countable. In this case, the petitioner was disenrolled from Family Care due to his $8,800 irrevocable […] Read more

DHA Case No. CWA 215403 (Wis. Div. Hearings and Appeals Feb. 5, 2025) (DHS) ↓ Download PDF The IRIS program can pay for residential services, such as those provided in an adult family home (AFH), but “residential services” does not include the cost of room and board. In this case, the petitioner asked to increase […] Read more

DHA Case No. MGE 215845 (Wis. Div. Hearings and Appeals Feb. 17, 2025) (DHS) ↓ Download PDF Medicaid denials must be appealed within 45 days. In this case, the petitioner received notices dated April 18, 2023 and August 29, 2023 determining that she was over the asset limit in April, May, and June. But because […] Read more

DHA Case No. FCP 167655 (Wis. Div. Hearings and Appeals Mar. 21, 2016) (DHS) ↓ Download PDF In general, Family Care benefits do not begin until an applicant is determined eligible and signs an enrollment form. In this seminal case, the petitioner applied April 20, signed an enrollment form May 13 (with the date of […] Read more

DHA Case No. CWA 212613 (Wis. Div. Hearings and Appeals May 30, 2024) (DHS) ↓ Download PDF IRIS participants must pay their providers a “usual and customary rate.” In this case, the petitioner’s supported employment provided asked for a rate increase to maintain a competitive wage for employees and pay for rising health insurance, mileage, […] Read more

DHA Case No. CWA 212824 (Wis. Div. Hearings and Appeals Jun. 26, 2024) (DHS) ↓ Download PDF The Department may deny an IRIS budget amendment (BA) request if it is not cost-effective or necessary to achieve the participant’s long-term care outcomes. In this case, the petitioner sought a BA to fund a 4% increase in […] Read more

DHA Case No. CWA 212682 (Wis. Div. Hearings and Appeals Jul. 12, 2024) (DHS) ↓ Download PDF Customized goods or services under the IRIS program must generally be necessary and cost-effective. In this case, the petitioner already had one trained service dog (the training was approved in a prior appeal) but wanted IRIS to pay […] Read more

DHA Case No. 212756 (Wis. Div. Hearings and Appeals Aug. 19, 2024) (DHS) ↓ Download PDF To be approved, IRIS home modifications must address long-term care needs that increase independence; or ensure safe, accessible means of ingress/egress to living quarters; or “otherwise provide safe access to rooms, facilities or equipment within the participant’s living quarters.” […] Read more

DHA Case No. CWA 214423 (Wis. Div. Hearings and Appeals Nov. 6, 2024) (DHS) ↓ Download PDF IRIS funds may only be used for services, supports, or goods that address a long-term support need. In this case, the petitioner asked IRIS to pay for his participant-hired worker’s travel and lodging costs so he could attend […] Read more