Financial Management Services

The vendor required to provide financial management services (FMS) for individual options (IO), level one (lv1), and self-empowered life funding (self) waiver programs operated by the agency.
- Available waiver programs and utilization
1. Self-empowered life funding waiver:
•    The self-empowered life funding waiver (self-waiver) is for people with developmental disabilities who are eligible for Medicaid, have a developmental disabilities level of care, need at least one self-waiver service, can be healthy and safe while using the self-waiver, are able to manage money in a budget and manage their support staff for at least one self-waiver service, or can choose someone to do these things for them as a representative. 
•    There is no age requirement for the self-waiver, and unlike the level one and individual options waivers, the self-waiver requires the person enrolled, or someone they choose to assist them, to self-direct at least one of their services.
2. Level one waiver: 
•    The level one waiver is a good fit for people who do not need many paid supports staff to provide services. 
•    The level one waiver relies heavily on natural supports. 
•    Natural supports are services people provide without being paid. 
•    The level one waiver is for people with developmental disabilities who are eligible for Medicaid, have a developmental disabilities level of care, and need at least one level one waiver service.
•    Although self-direction is not a requirement of the level one waiver, participants have the option to direct some of their waiver services by exercising employer authority or budget authority.
- Participant choice options
1. Co-employer option: 
•    The contractor must function as the co-common law employer of staff recruited by the participant. 
•    The participant (or their representative) directs the staff and is considered the co-employer of the staff (also known as “managing employer”). 
•    The contractor conducts all necessary payroll and human resources functions and is legally responsible for discharging the employment related functions and duties for participant-selected staff in conjunction with the participant based on the roles and responsibilities identified in the service plan. 
•    Both contractor and participant are equally responsible for any employment related issues. 
•    This option is available through the self, io, and lv1 waivers
2. Common law employer option: 
•    The participant (or their representative) is the sole legally responsible employer of staff selected by the participant. 
•    The participant (or their representative) hires, supervises, and discharges staff. 
•    The participant (or their representative) is responsible for the performance of necessary employment related tasks and uses the contractor, as the fiscal and employer agent (F/EA), to perform necessary payroll and other employment-related functions as the participant’s agent to ensure that the employer-related legal obligations are fulfilled.
3. Self-directed transportation option: 
•    The participant may access self-directed transportation (SDT) 24 hours per day, 365 days per year, including weekends and holidays, to accommodate scheduled and on-demand transportation needs. 
•    Self-directed transportation (SDT) includes commercial ground transportation that is available to the general public or provided by a family member, neighbor, or friend. 
•    The contractor pays claims to providers who hold Medicaid provider agreements or who operate under the Medicaid provider agreement held by the contractor.
- Contractor onboarding and transfer of FMS records
•    Onboarding milestones, including meeting the required milestone dates, unless the agency grants an exception.
•    The agency and the county boards, the contractor must ensure a smooth transition from the current FMS provider that reduces complexity and provides individuals and providers sufficient time to adjust to service administration changes that differ from their current FMS provider.
•    The current FMS provider to complete any outstanding tax-related business and allow for the contractor to begin providing services for the payroll period that includes July 1, 2026, or the mutually agreed date to begin acting as the FMS, if applicable. 
•    The contractor must implement its plan to ensure the accuracy of its federal income tax withholdings, state unemployment insurance, workers’ compensation, and the secure transfer of individual information.
- Customer service plan
•    Its customer service organizational structure, including number of dedicated customer service staff and customer service managers all dedicated to the work.
•    Its contact process (phone, web-based portal, email, etc.) for both incoming and outgoing communications, how often it will monitor messages left through each entry point, and the plan for coverage when staff dedicated to customer service are on leave.
•    Its follow-up process for inquiries, noting each communication must be returned within one business day.
•    It will track the following data points and make them readily available for reports to the agency.

- Contract Period/Term: 3 years
- Questions/Inquires Deadline: January 1, 2026