COS

Building a Circle of Support

Care Manager

Care Management comes first

Provide linkage and referral to services
Monitor health and safety
Perform a needs assessment
Complete level of care documentation
Develop and update the life plan
Apply for Self-direction

Broker

Care Manager

Choose a Broker

Help build a circle of support
Create and update the budget for services
Help you recruit, supervise, and schedule staff
Develop the staff action plan
Monitor staff summaries
Monitor expenditures
Research supportive goods and services
Provide education to the team

Fiscal Intermediary

Natural Supports and Providers

Choose an FI

Hiring agent for staff
Training staff
Payroll and taxes
Reviews budgets and staff action plans
Processes reimbursements
Pays vendors
Provides an expenditure report
Audit support

Natural Supports and Providers

Other Important People

Advocate(s)
Family
Friends
Other Providers

Things you should ask Potential fi

Choosing the right FI for you is important for the smooth operation of your plan(s) and team.

Do you have rate caps?

Each FI has a maximum payment rate allowed for staff. They are different for respite, community habilitation, and supported employment.

What is your fringe rate?

The Fringe Rate is a fee added to the cost for staff when it is drawn from the budget. This fee covers employer expenses such as training, paid time off, employer taxes, workers' comp, unemployment insurance, and other benefits. The benefit options will vary by FI.

What is your reimbursement schedule?

You will want to ask what their deadlines are for paperwork and reimbursements. Payment schedules could vary from weekly to monthly.

Do you allow for Supported Employment?

Many FI agencies do not support self-hired supported employment; if this is of interest to you, you will want to ask up front.

Things to ask a Potential broker

Please reach us at simoniapollacksd@lifee20.com for answers to your questions.

What is your work schedule?

Many brokers are part-time, it's a good idea to ask about availability.

Do you offer in-person services?

Brokerage does not require services to be delivered in-person. If this is important to you, you should ask up front.

Which FI Agencies do you contract with?

Brokers contract with different agencies. You will want to make sure you are picking a Broker and FI combination that works well together.

Do you help find staff?

Make sure to ask if they can help with recruiting staff. Some brokers do not get involved in staffing.

Do you have experience with housing?

Not all brokers are comfortable helping with housing packets. If you will need a housing subsidy in your budget, you will want to make sure that your broker knows how to complete the process.

Do you have experience with SEMP?

Not all brokers are knowledgeable about employment services. Make sure to choose a broker who knows how to write plans for employment services if this is a service you will have in your budget.

Empowering Abilities, Enriching Lives

Building a Circle of Support

Care Manager

Care Manager

Care Manager

Broker

Care Manager

Care Manager

Fiscal Intermediary

Natural Supports and Providers

Natural Supports and Providers

Natural Supports and Providers

Natural Supports and Providers

Natural Supports and Providers

Things you should ask Potential fi

Things to ask a Potential broker

This website uses cookies.