07/19/2017

Electronic Voice Verification System Update

The Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) continues to make preparation for the implementation of an EVV (Electronic Visit Verification) system using Sandata Technologies with a go live date of January 8, 2018. In a meeting with ODM, Interim Director of Long Term Service and Supports, Icilda Dickerson, explained the state is moving forward with the EVV system to be in compliance with the Cures Act, which will allow Ohio to retain federal funding for state plan and waiver services.  The EVV system will apply to Providers of the following services who are reimbursed by the department through fee-for-service. 

• Home health nursing;
• Home health aide services;
• Private duty nursing;
• RN assessment;
• Waiver nursing services provided pursuant to the Ohio home care waiver;
• Personal care aide services provided pursuant to the Ohio home care waiver;
• Home care attendant services provided pursuant to the Ohio home care waiver.

Hospices will NOT be required to utilize the EVV system with this initial implementation.

ODM continues to hear concerns from providers related to industry readiness and continued revenue stream destabilization if providers are not prepared.  Providers need to watch for information from both ODM and Sandata regarding the new EVV system and what steps they need to take to prepare.

Providers can either use their own EVV system or the system the state will be providing through Sandata. If a provider desires to use their own EVV system, they must contact Sandata to initiate the process of getting specifications for the vendor and apply to use their own system.

Beginning January 8, 2018 all system will be required to capture the following visit information and populate the data aggregator daily:

• The individual receiving the service;
• The direct care worker providing the service;
• The time the visit starts;
• The location at the start of the visit; (GPS location – Longitude and Latitude)
• The service provided;
• The time the visit ends;
• The location at the end of the visit; (GPS location – Longitude and Latitude)

Sandata will be offering training for all providers (both those using the state system as well as agencies utilizing their own system for EVV).  These training will be offered in multiple formats including, classroom trainings, webinars and self taught online modules.  All individuals providing direct patient care will need to be trained by Sandata on how to use the EVV system prior to being allowed to use the system. Even if an agency will be utilizing their own system for EVV, they will still need to be trained by Sandata how to upload their data into the aggregator.  These trainings are tentatively scheduled to begin on November 1, 2018 and continue through December 20, 2018.  Please watch for a schedule of the classroom trainings and webinars from Sandata in September.  The classroom training will take place in the following areas: Toledo, Cleveland, Akron, Marietta, Columbus, Dayton and Cincinnati. Agency staff will need to sign up for the classroom trainings and webinars they choose to attend.  The online training modules will be offered 24/7.

LeadingAge Ohio will continue to provide information about the EVV implementation as it is shared from ODM.  If you have any questions regarding EVV, please direct them to Anne Shelley at ashelley@leadingageohio.org.