What Is Electronic Visit Verification?
Electronic visit verification, or EVV, is an electronic system providers use to record information when delivering in-home or community-based services where participants receive support with activities of daily living (ADL) and/or instrumental IADL. The Department for Medicaid Services is transitioning to EVV for its 1915(c) Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) waivers. The use of EVV is a requirement of the 21st Century Cures Act passed by Congress in 2016.
EVV must record information on at least six aspects of service delivery: the date, location and type of service, the individual providing the service, the individual receiving the service and the start and end times of the service.
EVV offers several benefits to providers and waiver participants such as eliminating the need for paper documentation, creating flexibility in scheduling and delivering services, improved monitoring of participant health, safety and welfare and reduction in potential Medicaid fraud, waste and abuse.
Guiding Principles of EVV Phase I
DMS believes EVV Phase I should:
- Simplify required documentation and reduce administrative burden on participants and providers.
- Improve participant health, safety and welfare.
- Not reduce a participant's services or alter chosen service delivery method.
- Be developed with input from all stakeholders.
- Include training for providers and participants.
- Bring Kentucky into compliance with federal law.
Affected Programs
Traditional service provider agencies and participant-directed services employees who deliver in-home or community-based services where participants receive support with ADLs and/or IADLs must use EVV. This applies to five of Kentucky's six 1915(c) HCBS waivers: Acquired Brain Injury and Acquired Brain Injury Long Term Care, Home and Community Based, Michelle P. Waiver and Supports for Community Living. Read the Electronic Visit Verification - Affected Services document for a listing of services by waiver that must use EVV.
Provider EVV Options
Providers have two options for EVV. DMS is working with Tellus, LLC to launch EVV in Kentucky. Providers who opt to use Tellus EVV will receive training and can use the system free of charge.
DMS allows providers to choose their own EVV systems or continue using their current EVV systems. Providers are responsible for all costs associated with use of third-party systems, ensuring their preferred systems meet the requirements of the 21st Century Cures Act and ensuring full integration with Tellus to allow DMS to reimburse for rendered services and conduct waiver quality assurance activities. If your agency plans to use a third-party EVV system, please contact Tellus for information about integration.
Getting Started with EVV
Providers must begin using EVV by Jan. 1, 2021. DMS asks affected providers to take two actions to ensure they receive these updates.
- Please complete the Provider Information survey.
- Please subscribe to EVV email updates. If you need assistance subscribing, please read our How to Subscribe instructions or email DMS.
Upcoming EVV Meetings
To help prepare stakeholders for the shift to EVV, DMS is offering a series of informational Tellus EVV meetings and town halls.
EVV Training
DMS will host a series of user training sessions. The training sessions will cover three primary EVV functionalities. Training dates and topics are listed below.
- Mobile Application
- Oct. 6, 13, 20, 27
- Nov. 10, 17, and 24
- Administrative Portal
- Oct. 7, 14, 21, 28
- Nov. 4, 18, 25
- Billing and Claims
- Oct. 8, 15, 22, 29
- Nov. 5, 12, 19
Due to the COVID-19 state of emergency, all training sessions will be held online. Please note that trainees only need to attend one session on each topic. The training will be recorded and available for viewing on-demand as well. Stakeholders will be notified of times and next steps regarding training soon. To ensure you do not miss any updates, please subscribe to the DMS EVV email list.
EVV Support
DMS created an EVV Frequently Asked Questions to address the most common questions about EVV. If you have additional questions about 1915(c) HCBS waivers and EVV, please email Medicaid Public Comment or the 1915(c) Waiver Help Desk or call (844) 784-5614.
If you have additional questions about the Tellus EVV application, please email Tellus.