Are Your Ready for Electronic Visit Verification?
So, what is EVV? An acronym for Electronic Visit Verification, EVV is a technology that verifies the location and time that service for a client begins and ends. It provides electronic proof of each caregiver visit, as well as a breadcrumb trail that is the basis for billing.
Why do we have to use EVV? The need for EVV arose in response to unethical agencies that were billing for Medicaid / Medicare services that were not actually provided, resulting in billions of dollars being lost. The mandate was put in place by the 21st Century Cures Act to help the home care industry become more efficient and transparent by integrating payers and providers. So, the new mandate is a way to help enhance your agency’s operations and ultimately save costs.
Pennsylvania’s Department of Human Services (DHS) is developing a state-wide EVV system that will integrate with their existing Medicaid Management Information System (MMIS), PROMISe. While the DHS EVV system will be offered to providers, Pennsylvania is using an open EVV system model. This means providers may use their own EVV system, as long as their system captures the six items required under the Cures Act (see below) and can send information to the state’s system.
What services must be electronically verified? All services requiring an in-home visit are subject to the EVV requirement. At a minimum, an EVV system must verify:
- Type of service provided
- Individual receiving the service
- Individual providing the service
- Date of Service
- Location of service delivery
- Time the service begins and ends
How does EVV work in a home care agency? Through the use of landline telephones, GPS enabled devices, or fixed verification devices, caregivers are easily able to clock in and out of their visits without having to fill out paper timesheets. Caregiver visits are then tracked and monitored in real-time. EVV can also help providers with scheduling of services, provide oversight of services, manage timesheets, and provide the ability to deliver aggregated data reports to the state.
Recently, the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) sent out communication about EVV implementation in Pennsylvania. To help providers and the general public learn more about EVV, they have scheduled the following public online meetings (dates subject to change):
- Tuesday August 13, 2019 from 1:00 to 3:30PM
- Tuesday September 17, 2019 from 1:00 to 3:30PM
- Tuesday October 22, 2019 from 1:00 to 3:30PM
- Tuesday November 26, 2019 from 1:00 to 3:30PM
- Tuesday December 31, 2019 from 1:00 to 3:30PM
To participate in any of these online public meetings, use the Skype Meeting link , or to join by phone, call (267) 332-8737 using Conference ID: 42711756.
