Electronic Visit Verification is a tool federally mandated by the 21st Century Cures Act to verify home care visits by personal care services (PCS) and home healthcare services (HHCS) that are medicaid-funded.
The purpose of mandating an EVV system is multifold. We’ll go over 4 major benefits of EVV implementation along with state’s system models (open and closed).
4 Major Benefits of EVV:
- Helps Combat Neglect of Clients & Fraudulent Visit Reports
- Better Validation of Employee Work Time & Location for Each Visit
- Precise Identification Reduces Errors
- Faster & More Accurate Processing of Claims
1. Helps Combat Neglect of Clients & Fraudulent Visit Reports
Prior to the implementation of EVV, caregivers would report their home care visits on paper timesheets. These paper records did not always accurately reflect the actual work hours. Fraudulent claims were frequently made by caregivers who took advantage of the system.
Clients who were registered to receive home care services were commonly being neglected by their assigned caregivers.
The loophole in the system was being abused as caregivers were reporting in-home visits and services that were never actually provided. This loophole became better safeguarded with the implementation of EVV, having to verify each visit electronically.
2. Better Validation of Employee Work Time & Location for Each Visit
With EVV, the employee must digitally report their timesheet information into the system. A GPS tracking system automatically verifies their location to ensure that the caregiver is at the designated home.
The start and end time of each visit is electronically verified in the system with a code or e-signature by the recipient to reduce chances of fraud. EVV assists in the validation of timesheets, location tracking and services provided.
3. Precise Identification Reduces Errors & Redundancy
In order for home care agencies to receive due reimbursement, they must be able to provide accurate information about the caregivers, clients and services provided. Paper-driven timesheets and data collection documents would commonly have input errors, redundancy, and issues related to deciphering illegible handwriting.
Without accurate information about caregivers, clients and services, billing errors could easily be made, leading to more problems for home care agencies. EVV helps resolve these problems by requiring the caregivers to electronically input the necessary data into the system.
EVV simplifies the process for home care agencies, caregivers and clients by eliminating messy handwriting, redundant data input or billing mistakes due to inaccuracy of data.
4. Faster & More Accurate Processing of Claims
With the advent of electronically verifying each home care visit, the accuracy of data collection and speed of processing claims has improved. Home care agencies previously had the dilemma of trying to verify data input of caregivers, clients, service times and more.
This process would use up valuable time and delay reimbursement claims. With EVV, both of these areas have improved making it easier overall.
State’s Open Model vs Closed Model
The 21st Century Cures Act allows states the freedom to choose between an open or closed model. An open model means that the state permits personal care services and home health care services to choose their own EVV vendor.
A closed model is the opposite, meaning that the state selects a vendor and requires home care businesses to use the state-selected EVV vendor. It’s imperative to become familiar with your state’s system along with all the accompanying regulations.
For open model states, because you will have the option to select a vendor, it’s imperative to research the available vendors in your state before making a decision.
Understanding The implementation of Electronic Visit Verification
There is a methodical process involved in implementing Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) that customers, home care agencies, and caregivers must comprehend. This comprises:
1. Instructional Plans:
All caregivers and agencies must participate in extensive training sessions to implement Electronic Visit Verification (EVV).
These initiatives are essential to the smooth implementation of the EVV system. It is important to emphasize the value of correct data recording while also acquainting caregivers with the technical components.
Mandates for training that are particular to each state highlight the dedication to standardizing EVV adoption throughout the healthcare system. Caregivers and agencies can improve their competency and contribute to a more uniform and effective approach to home care by meeting these requirements.
2. Client Education:
The effectiveness of EVV adoption depends on clients’ comprehension, not just that of caregivers and organizations.
Clients receive education regarding the EVV system, which demystifies its operation and clarifies their part in it. This information gives clients the ability to take an active role in their care and sheds light on the advantages of EVV.
Client education becomes essential to the overall effectiveness of the EVV system, from guaranteeing accurate and timely treatment records to creating a trusting environment. In the end, an informed clientele improves the quality and dependability of home care services by augmenting the efficacy of EVV.
Privacy Concerns
1. Ensuring Data Security:
The EVV system’s security features are critical to protecting sensitive data for clients and caregivers alike. Strong procedures are in place to guarantee data integrity and confidentiality, which promotes system confidence.
2. HIPAA Regulation Compliance:
An additional degree of security is offered by the EVV system’s compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) rules. By guaranteeing the highest level of patient privacy and security, this compliance upholds the dedication to moral and safe data handling
Upcoming Developments and Trends in EVV
1. Technology Developments:
As a result of state-of-the-art technology advancements, the field of Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) is changing. These developments offer increased accuracy and efficiency in recording home care visits, from the use of biometric verification to the incorporation of artificial intelligence for predictive analytics.
2. Integration of New Features:
Novel features are being added to EVV systems. These could include improved data analytics capabilities, automated reporting, and real-time monitoring. By streamlining procedures, these additions hope to give agencies and caregivers a more thorough understanding of patient care.
3. Impact of Regulatory Changes:
The EVV business may be affected by changes in government legislation. Keep an eye out for changing compliance requirements, since these could affect how the system works and require modifications to keep it in line with industry standards.
Conclusion
The EVV system was federally mandated for numerous reasons. With electronic verification of home care visits, the number of neglected clients & fraudulent claims has drastically reduced. EVV enables better validation of employee work times along with verifying the caregiver’s location for each visit.
Data entry errors, and billing mistakes have also decreased due to the precise accuracy of electronic information collection, enabling faster processing of claims.
It’s important to check with your state’s guidelines, as each state has regulations regarding EVV vendors, with some allowing home care services to select their own EVV vendor, and others requiring providers to select a particular EVV vendor.
Caretap is a top quality EVV vendor providing a comprehensive, convenient system for personal care and home health care services.