Bill Payer, Co-Employer, or Sole Employer: Understanding the Three FMS Models

Two professionals shaking hands over documents

One of the most important decisions you'll make in the Self-Determination Program is how much of the "employer" role you want to take on. Financial Management Services are generally offered in three models: Bill Payer, Co-Employer, and Sole Employer. Each one shifts the balance of control and responsibility between you and your FMS.

Understanding the differences will help you choose the option that fits your comfort level, your time, and the kind of support you want.

Model 1: Bill Payer

In the Bill Payer model, you use agencies or established businesses to deliver your services rather than hiring your own staff. You don't take on the employer role—the agency does—and TrueCare FMS simply pays the bills for the approved services. This model carries the lowest level of control and the least responsibility.

  • You use agencies or businesses to provide services
  • You don't hire or employ individual staff
  • The FMS pays the providers' bills
  • Lowest level of control and responsibility

Model 2: Co-Employer

In the Co-Employer model, you and the FMS share the employer role. The FMS is the legal employer—it sets certain benefits and limits and handles payroll, tax reporting, and employment-related administrative requirements—while you select and direct your own support workers and manage their schedules. You shape who supports you and how, without carrying the full legal weight of being the employer.

  • The FMS is the legal employer
  • The FMS sets benefits and limits
  • You choose your staff and manage their schedules
  • The FMS handles payroll and taxes
  • A balanced, medium level of control and responsibility

Model 3: Sole Employer

In the Sole Employer model, you are the legal employer of your support workers. You make the decisions—including which benefits to offer—and direct your team, while the FMS handles payroll and taxes in the background. This model gives you the most control, and with it, the most responsibility.

  • You are the legal employer
  • You decide benefits
  • You hire and direct your workers
  • The FMS handles payroll and taxes
  • Highest level of control and responsibility

How to choose the right model

There's no single "best" model—only the one that's best for you. As you decide, it helps to ask:

  • How much control do I want over hiring, directing, and managing my workers?
  • How much time and energy do I (or my family) realistically have for employer responsibilities?
  • How comfortable am I taking on the legal employer role?
  • What support do I have around me, such as family members or an independent facilitator?
More control means more responsibility; more support means less day-to-day work. The right model simply matches your situation.

What TrueCare currently offers

TrueCare FMS currently offers the Bill Payer model, and our Co-Employer and Sole Employer options are coming soon. Whichever model you're considering, our team can walk you through how each one would work for your situation. Reach out for a free consultation and we'll talk it through together.