FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

A Financial Management Service (FMS) helps people who self-direct their care manage the financial and administrative tasks that come with hiring and paying support workers. We handle things like processing payroll, managing taxes, and helping families track their spending, so they can focus on care—not paperwork.

 

We currently support Minnesota’s Community First Services and Supports (CFSS) and Consumer Directed Community Supports (CDCS) programs. These programs allow individuals and families to direct their own care using an approved service plan and budget.

We work directly with:

  • Clients (Participants or their Representatives) who choose to self-direct their services
  • Support Workers (also called household employees) hired by the client
  • Community Partners including counties, tribal nations, consultation service providers, and support planners

Together, we form a team that ensures care is well-supported and budgets are well-managed.

You can reach us by:

Phone: 612-728-7835

Email: support@lifefms.com

Contact Form: Available on our Contact Us page

Mail: 418 County Rd D E, Saint Paul, MN 55117

We’re here to help and will respond as quickly as possible during business hours.

For Clients (Participants or Representatives)

Self-direction gives you control. You choose who provides care, when they work, and how much they’re paid. You also decide what supports matter most and how your budget is used. This flexibility means your services are built around your life—not the other way around.

You can even hire certain family members, like a spouse or parent of the person receiving services, and in some cases, they may be exempt from federal employment taxes (see IRS Publications 15 and 926 for details).

Yes, you can be successful—and you don’t have to figure it out alone. At Life Fountain, we guide you through each step, provide easy tools to manage your budget and employees, and stay available when you need help. Most families who try self-direction say they’d never go back.

Yes. In both the CFSS and CDCS programs, the participant—or their representative—is considered the employer. This means you are in charge of hiring, training, and managing your support workers.

But you’re not on your own. Life Fountain walks you through the key federal and state forms required to become an employer, including the IRS Form SS-4 (to apply for an Employer Identification Number) and Form 2678 (to authorize us to file and deposit employment taxes on your behalf).

We provide clear instructions, reminders, and ongoing support so you can fulfill your role with confidence.

Life Fountain helps you stay on track with your approved budget. We provide a portal with:

  • Easy-to-read budget summaries.
  • Tools to monitor hours and spending – ‘real-time’ (always up-to-date) budget info.
  • Notifications to help prevent overspending.
  • Allowable purchase and reimbursement requests – conveniently upload your receipts and/or invoices directly in our portal.

We’ll help you understand what’s covered and how to use your funds wisely.

Getting started is simple. Here’s what happens:

  • You select Life Fountain as your FMS provider by contacting us and alert your county case manager or consultation service provider.
  • We’ll connect with you to complete the intake process.
  • You’ll fill out a few required forms, and we’ll help guide you through them.
  • Once approved, you can begin using your services.

Need help? Contact us and we’ll walk you through every step.

Yes. You have the right to choose the FMS provider that works best for you. If you’re thinking about switching to Life Fountain, we’ll work closely with your current provider to make the transition smooth and timely. There are no fees or penalties to switch.

We’re here to make self-direction easier. Our support includes:

  • Budget tracking tools and summaries
  • Payroll processing for your employees
  • Help with forms, paperwork, and compliance
  • Clear communication with you and your team
  • A friendly coordinator team that understands FMS and is here when you need us

We aim to take the stress out of managing services so you can focus on living life fully.


EVV stands for Electronic Visit Verification. It’s a system that confirms when a support worker starts and ends a shift, and where the services took place.

EVV is required by federal and state law for certain services, including personal care and support services in Minnesota. It helps make sure:

  • The right person is providing care
  • Services are happening at the right time and place
  • Taxpayer dollars are used appropriately

At Life Fountain, we use an EVV system called AllCare, which makes it easy for workers to clock in and out using a secure app or web browser. If your worker lives with you, they may be allowed to use the web version instead of the GPS-enabled mobile app.

We’ll explain what’s needed based on your situation and help you and your worker get set up.

Federal EVV Guidance: https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/home-community-based-services/guidance/electronic-visit-verification-evv

For Support Workers / Household Employees

Once the participant (or their representative) chooses to hire you, they’ll start the process with us. We’ll send you an employment application that includes required federal and state forms. Life Fountain will walk you through each step to make sure everything is complete and submitted properly.

Yes. All support workers are required to complete a Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) background study, which includes fingerprinting. You’ll be asked to schedule an appointment at one of the authorized fingerprinting locations across Minnesota. These include sites in most major cities and surrounding areas. This helps ensure a safe environment for the person receiving services. We’ll provide instructions and help schedule your appointment if needed.

Workers use our electronic time entry system through a mobile app or web browser. It’s simple, secure, and helps make sure hours are submitted and paid accurately. We’ll show you how to use it, and support is always available if you need help.

State rules require GPS verification for non-live-in support workers, so those workers must use the mobile app to clock in and out.
If you live in the same home as the participant, you’re considered a live-in worker and may use the web browser instead of the GPS app.

We’ll help determine which method applies to you and guide you through setup.

You can begin working only after you’re fully enrolled and approved. This means:

  • Your employment forms have been submitted and reviewed
  • Your background study and fingerprinting are complete
  • You’ve been assigned a worker ID (from DHS or the participant’s Managed Care Organization)
  • The participant’s services and budget have officially started

We’ll let you and the participant know when everything is in place. Working before you’re approved could lead to hours not being paid—so we’ll help make sure you’re cleared before your first shift.

Paydays are biweekly. As long as your hours are approved and submitted by the deadline, you’ll receive your paycheck on time. We’ll give you a payroll calendar so you know exactly when timesheets are due and when to expect payment.

For Community Partners

Referring a client is simple. You can:

  • Submit a referral through our secure online Referral Form.
  • Email us at intake@lifefms.com.
  • Call our team directly at 651-728-7835 for immediate assistance.

We’ll follow up promptly to begin the intake process and communicate with both you and the participant throughout the transition.

We provide:

  • A referral checklist to ensure all needed documents are submitted
  • Fillable and downloadable intake and employer setup forms
  • Spending summaries and budget tracking tools for ongoing monitoring
  • An accessible forms and resources page that includes important documents

Need something specific? Our team is available to customize what you need.

You can send updates directly to our coordination team at support@lifefms.com or call us at 651-728-7835.


We prioritize quick responses to ensure participant services continue without disruption. If you’re unsure where to send updates, our general support email support@lifefms.com is always monitored and will route your request to the right person or team.

We stay actively informed on DHS and CMS policy updates, managed care organization requirements, and legislative changes.


Our team:

  • Monitors changes through DHS, eList annoucments and legislative alerts
  • Communicates key updates to partners and families through emails, our website, and coordinator outreach
  • Updates internal processes and documentation as needed to remain compliant

We aim to simplify changes by summarizing what’s relevant and guiding you and your clients through the transitions.

Technical & System Support

Support workers use our electronic time entry system. It can be accessed in three ways:

  • Through the mobile app (required for non–live-in workers)
  • Through a web browser (an option for live-in workers)
  • By logging in directly via our website at Contact Us

The system is secure, user-friendly, and ensures hours are submitted accurately and on time. We’ll help you get set up with the method that works best for your situation.

Yes! Most workers use the mobile app to clock in and out. It’s especially important for non–live-in workers, as GPS location is required.
Live-in workers (who live in the same home as the participant) may use the web browser instead, since GPS verification is not required.

  • Android users can search for “FMS EVV” in the Google Play Store.
  • iPhone users can search for “FMS-EVV” in the Apple App Store.

If you forget your password, go to the login page and click “Forgot Password” to reset it. If you’re still having trouble, contact our support team and we’ll help you reset it quickly so you can get back to work.

No. Per state and federal guidelines, electronic time entry is required. Paper, faxed, or emailed timesheets are not accepted. This ensures accuracy, security, and compliance with DHS rules. If you need help using the electronic system, we’re happy to walk you through it. https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/home-community-based-services/guidance/electronic-visit-verification-evv

Compliance and Policy

To participate in CFSS or CDCS with Life Fountain, several federal, state, and program-specific forms are required. These typically include (but aren’t limited to):

  • IRS Form SS-4 – to obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
  • IRS Form 2678 – to authorize Life Fountain to handle employment taxes
  • DHS enrollment forms – for both the participant and employees
  • Employee Application – if applicable
  • Life Fountain agreements and policies – including employer responsibilities, participant rights, and consent for communication and services

We provide all forms in a clear, organized packet and walk you through each one step by step.

We help you stay in compliance by providing:

  • Required documents and due dates
  • Updates about DHS rules or legislative changes
  • Clear instructions for timesheets, reimbursements, and employee onboarding.
  • Ongoing support for recordkeeping and documentation.

The participant or their representative—who serves as the employer—is responsible for training their workers. They decide what support is needed and how it should be delivered.
We’re here to help with tips, templates, and tools to make this easier.

Late submissions can delay:

  • Worker paychecks
  • Participant reimbursements
  • Ongoing services or support

To avoid disruptions, we are available to help troubleshoot issues quickly.

Fraud, waste, and abuse are serious violations that can lead to financial penalties, disqualification from services, or criminal charges. Examples include:

  • Submitting false hours
  • Paying for services not provided
  • Using funds for non-approved goods

Life Fountain provides training and ongoing monitoring to help prevent errors and misuse. If you suspect fraud, report it confidentially to our compliance team or the Minnesota DHS.

We follow all HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) regulations to protect your personal and health information. This includes:

  • Secure portals for document submission
  • Staff training on privacy and confidentiality
  • We only share private information with staff who need it to do their job.

Your information is safe with us, and we are committed to maintaining your trust.

Trusted partner

Building a Strong Financial Foundation

We help you achieve your vision and cultivate confidence and peace of mind across your financial journey.

Free Consultation