EVV

What is Electronic Visit Verification (EVV)?

Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) is a validation of the date, time, location, type of Personal Care Services (PCS) or Home Health (HH) Care Services provided, and the individual(s) providing and receiving services. The EVV system will electronically capture:

• The type of service performed.
• Beneficiary, client, or participant receiving the service.
• Date of the service. 
• Location of service delivery.
• Individual providing the service.
• Time the service begins and ends.

Why is the EVV system being implemented?

The 21st Century Cures Act (the Cures Act), enacted by the U.S. Congress in December 2016, added Section 1903(l) to the Social Security Act to require all states to use Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) for Personal Care Services (PCS) and Home Health Care Services (HHCS) provided under a Medicaid State Plan of the Social Security Act or under a waiver of the State Plan.

What services require EVV?

Per CMS, EVV must be used to record all personal care services and all home health care services that require an in-home visit. CMS defines personal care services as help with: Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), such as bathing, dressing, toileting, mobility, and grooming. Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs), such as meal preparation, shopping, laundry, and housekeeping. If you receive Medicaid-funded personal care or home health care services such as assistance with ambulation, bathing, dressing, grooming, personal hygiene, meals, and homemaker services through any of the five programs listed below, then your caregiver must validate those services through an EVV system.

Will EVV affect the services I currently receive?

No. EVV does not affect the delivery of the services you currently receive under your approved plan of care.

What is required of providers who are utilizing the EVV system?

In order to complete the HHAX onboarding process, receive credentials to access the EVV system, and have their portals set up, the provider must have an NPI and be enrolled in CHAMPS. Regardless of the EVV solution selected, all impacted service providers are required to complete the HHAeXchange Provider Onboarding Form.

Will beneficiaries, clients, and participants who receive personal care or home health care services be trained on how to use EVV?

Yes. MDHHS will provide training to persons who receive these services. MDHHS will also provide training to agency staff, caregivers, and individuals who provide these services.

Can caregivers/providers opt-out of having PCS and HH services validated by an EVV system?

No. The federal law requires caregivers and providers to validate the delivery of your personal care or home health care services in an EVV system.

Will EVV apply to home-delivered meals?

No. EVV does not apply to home-delivered meals as offered by Michigan's Meals On Wheels.

Who can I contact to find out more information?

MDHHS will continue to update their website as more information on EVV becomes available. You may also contact your health plan call center, care manager, provider, and/or caregiver for more information.

Will EVV allow approved plan services outside of the recipient's primary residence?

EVV will not change the policy of where services can be provided. Per CMS, an EVV system must be able to electronically verify services were provided in an individual's home or other location(s).

Can members access the EVV system on the mobile app?

No. The EVV system is only accessible by caregivers, live-in caregivers, and providers.

How can the Mobile Application be obtained?

The mobile application can be downloaded to a beneficiary-owned, caregiver-owned or employer-issued smart phone or GPS-enabled tablet. The caregiver will use the device to clock-in at the start of the service and clock-out at the end of the service. This is the preferred method for reporting EVV information. The mobile device also has an offline EVV feature that allows the caregiver to clock-in and clock-out while offline, as in the absence or loss of an internet connection. The information will transmit the stored data once internet connection returns. The data is time-sensitive, requiring the caregiver to ensure access to an internet connection within seven calendar days of service delivery.

Will caregivers who do not have access to a smart phone be provided with an optional service outside of the EVV system?

Caregivers who do not have access to a smart phone, have the option to utilize the Integrative Voice Response (IVR)/Telephony system. Using the beneficiary’s landline, the caregiver will call into a designated toll-free EVV telephone line to clock-in at the start of the service and place a second call to clock-out at the end of the service. This is an approved method of reporting EVV, but only expected to be used if the mobile application is not an option.

Will providers have to pay to use the EVV system?

No. MDHHS is implementing an open vendor EVV model. This allows providers flexibility to use the state EVV system at no cost or another EVV system of their choosing that meets state requirements. The state selected HHAeXchange as its EVV vendor and aggregator. To use an EVV system other than HHAeXchange, an agency provider must ensure compatibility with the HHAeXchange Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) process and must submit EVV information to the state’s aggregator. An agency provider’s use of an alternative EVV system is at their own cost.

Can Home Help individual caregivers be exempt from using the EVV system?

Yes. Only live-in caregivers who live with their client may be exempt from using EVV. To be exempt, the live-in caregiver must complete a “Live-In Caregiver Attestation Form” and provide two of the following as proof of residency. Documents must include the live-in caregiver’s name and current home address. Electronic copies are accepted.

• Valid Michigan driver’s license;
• Valid Michigan state identification;
• Utility bill or credit card bill issued within the last 90 days;
• Account statement from a bank or other financial institution issued within the last 90days MMP 24-21 Page 6 of 7;
• Mortgage, lease or rental agreement (Lease and rental agreements must include the landlord’s telephone number);
• Pay stub or earnings statement issued within the last 90 days;
• Life, health, auto or home insurance policy;
• Michigan title and registration; OR
• Federal, state or local government documents, such as receipts, licenses or assessments.

What constitutes a live-in caregiver?

For the purposes of EVV, the definition of “live-in caregiver” requires the provider to meet all the following criteria below. The caregiver could be employed by the beneficiary, through a home care agency, or through an approved self determination arrangement.

• The caregiver lives in the same home as the beneficiary. 
• The home is the caregiver’s permanent and primary residence.
•  The caregiver is responsible for providing PCS that require EVV to the beneficiary.

How does a live-in caregiver obtain the “Live-In Caregiver Attestation Form” to request exemption from EVV?

Live-In Caregivers can obtain the form by contacting the health plan and/or contact their supports/care coordinator, or case manager. The form is also available on the MDHHS website here. Submitting instructions are provided on the form. Forms can be submitted in person, by email. Mail, or fax. In addition, live-in caregivers are instructed to contact their supports/care coordinator, or case manager for assistance turning in forms. 

EVV Live-In Caregiver Attestation (PDF)