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Electronic verification visits were created to ensure that home health care services are being performed for the right patients, and that providers are billed only for services completed. 

In 2016, Congress approved the 21st Century Cures Act to incentivize home care and home health agencies to utilize EVV systems and improve the quality of care. EVV systems help document treatment, collect data, and streamline care procedures. The act requires all home care agencies to operate using an EVV system to ensure proper services are provided. 

In 2018, the act was amended to extend compliance deadlines to January 1, 2023, meaning agencies have less than a year to implement changes. Below we discuss EVV requirements and how you could benefit from an EVV system.

What Is Electronic Visit Verification (EVV)?

The purpose of EVV is to electronically verify the time of a visit by a health care service provider, where it occurred, and who performed the service. EVV systems can also document visit notes and ensure care plan compliance. 

Large, publicly funded services can often be difficult to monitor. With EVV systems in place, agencies and officials have a better chance at catching issues and ensuring proper treatment. 

In the past, verification of visits occurred only by telephone; the incoming and outgoing calls from homes were matched in a way that confirmed care. 

 

 

 

How Does Electronic Visit Verification Work?

Electronic visit verifications confirm the time, date, and duration of home care or home health visits. Care providers can use a device and even mobile phones to track services provided. 

Employees clock in using a unique ID, or employee PIN, and identify the care recipient, using a service recipient PIN. In addition, EVV systems can store current patient health data, which can assist providers in administering a more informed level of health care.

How Do EVV Systems Benefit Home Care Agencies?

EVV systems improve home care in various ways, benefiting agencies, providers, and patients.

Improved Visibility and Connectivity

With EVV systems in place, care recipients and care agencies can track visits in real time and see the locations of care providers. Agencies can better control service delivery, leading to a greater quality of care and healthier and happier clients. 

For example, in the case of a no-show, an agency can send out a replacement quickly, rather than waiting hours to hear from a recipient about a missed home appointment.

Through EVV records, healthcare companies can optimize claims and financial reimbursement turnaround, getting recipients the care and funds they need with less delay. Furthermore, providers can communicate privately with office and care team members without worrying that information will fall into unauthorized hands.

Greater Efficiency

Caregivers can access client documents through mobile devices, add notes, look up past health history, and record assessments. 

Missed visits and late starts prompt real-time alerts, allowing agencies to make arrangements quickly instead of waiting for phone calls from dissatisfied clients. EVV systems offer optimized driving directions with GPS-based mileage, and timekeeping capabilities for client and non-client-related tasks. 

Better Data Collection and Reporting

Clients and agencies will benefit from a system that better collects and organizes data. With electronic data and reporting, research institutions and agencies have greater insight into health issues to provide better treatments and care. 

In addition, through electronic devices and wireless data access, agencies and caregivers can verify which services are within the scope of authorized treatment. 

Additional Benefits

Beyond what we've already touched on, EVV systems can help agencies improve staff safety monitoring, reduce payroll expenses, minimize fraud, meet state compliance requirements, and eliminate dangerous and costly errors.

What Are the EVV Requirements?

To complete an electronic visit verification, you'll need to record the following information:

• Name of the care recipient 

• Name of the caregiver

• Type of service completed

• Date of care

• Location of performed care

• Beginning and end time of service

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Please be aware that there may be additional state-specific requirements beyond what's listed above.

The 21st Century Cures Act mandates that states implement EVV for all Medicaid-funded Personal Care Services (PCS) and Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Services that require an in-home visit by a provider (starting January 1, 2020), and Home Health Care Services (HHCS) from a Certified Home Health Care Agency starting on January 1, 2023.

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Many states, such as Arizona, have already enacted training mandates around EVV.

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