07 Aug Approved EVV System

Choosing EVV Software

As the 21^st Century Cures act moves to the forefront of home health agency staffs, many agencies find themselves trying to prepare for the inevitable. According to their official website www.medicaid.gov, all U.S states are required by law to implement an approved electronic visit verification system for all Medicaid-funded personal care services by January 1, 2020, and home health care services by January 1, 2023. Any non-compliant states will face financial penalties unless they have an authentic delay reason or burden which prevented their compliance.   To meet state requirements, when selecting a software vendor for EVV compliance, agencies performing personal care and home health services need to be sure to do their homework.

How do I choose EVV Software?

Questions to get answers on from vendors prior to the EVV deadline in your state should include:

To meet state requirements, when selecting a software vendor for EVV compliance, agencies performing personal care and home health services need to be sure to do their homework. Questions to get answers on from vendors prior to the EVV deadline in your state should include:

1. Is my current electronic visit verification software an APPROVED EVV SYSTEM per the guidelines of my state Medicaid and/or the 21^st century cures act guidelines?

2. If my agency provides both non-skilled and skilled services for Medicaid clients, then does the vendor have one EVV system for skilled and non-skilled services?

3. Am I seeking a stand-alone EVV system, or a complete Homecare or Personal Care Software with built-in EVV?

4. If my state offers a free EVV solution, does it meet my agency’s needs, or will it simply satisfy the minimum EVV requirements?
5. What is the deadline in my state for me to have a system up and running?
6. Does my software vendor offer any support or assistance with claim denials or implementation issues?

Inside the 21^st Century Cures Act

Which Services Require Electronic Visit Verification

Per the rules of the (CMS) Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, “All services which require an in-home visit that are included in filed claims under the category of home health or personal care services on the CMS-64 form are subject to the electronic visit verification requirement.”

If personal or home health care services are provided within a private home or residence, and claims are filed which are requesting that Medicaid is reimbursing for these services, then an approved EVV system will be required. Exempt from these regulatory mandates are patient services rendered within hospitals or nursing homes.

EVV Implementation Deadline

While the 21^st Century cures act has set forth an implementation deadline for electronic visit verification (EVV) of January 1, 2020, many states are at different stages in the process of identifying and endorsing an official state-approved EVV software vendor. Additionally, many states are allowing alternate vendors to the official state approved system, so long as the systems are appropriately vetted to ensure they report and receive data as accurately as the state approved system (and per the requirements). Sandata is a system that some states are working with to have an approved provider in place, while Home Health Scheduling Software providers like Alora, which offers a complete Home Health Software with integrated EVV, have partnered with Sandata, as well as worked directly with select states to provide homecare agencies with comprehensive alternatives

EVV Information

Below are a list of blogs which explore the details, implementation deadlines, and other helpful information on individual states as well as blogs on general EVV information.

• Pennsylvania EVV
• Virginia EVV
• Colorado EVV
• Minnesota EVV
• Ohio EVV
• Indiana EVV
• Sandata EVV
• CMS EVV Survey
• EVV Facts

For more information on Electronic Visit Verification requirements in your state, general homecare news, or on Home Health Software technology, email us at Info@Alorahealth.com

The Alora Home Health Blog

Read the Alora blog for industry news, including recent news, articles and commentaries, as well as other issues that pertain to Homecare in the U.S and beyond. For more information on our blog, or for questions or feedback, please send us an email to HomeHealthSoftware@Alorahealth.com