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Caregivers and Providers - FAQs

Caregivers & Providers - FAQs

 

What is Electronic Visit Verification (EVV)?                          

EVV is the use of an electronic system such as a phone or computer to verify the delivery of your Medicaid services.

The EVV system will electronically capture:

  1. The type of service performed;
  2. Beneficiary, client, or participant receiving the service;
  3. Date of the service;
  4. Location of service delivery;
  5. Individual providing the service; and
  6. Time the service begins and ends

 

What programs require EVV?

Program Personal Care Services Home Health Care Services
MI Choice X
MI Health Link X X
Medicaid Managed Care X
Behavioral Health X
Home Health X
Home Help X
Community Transition Services X
 *Table is subject to change. There may be other programs and/or codes that could be impacted as Michigan further develops EVV policy. 

 

What services require EVV?

If you provide 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 above, then you must validate those services through an EVV system.

 

Will EVV affect the services I currently deliver?

EVV does not affect the delivery of services you provide under the beneficiary's, client's or participant's approved plan of care.

 

Do I always have to use EVV when I provide a service?

If you provide Medicaid-funded personal care or home health care services for beneficiaries receiving care in one of the identified programs, Home Help, Home Health, Behavioral Health, MI Choice Waiver, MI Health Link, CTS, or Home Health provided by a Medicaid Health Plan then you must use an EVV system when you provide those services. 

 

May a provider opt out of using EVV? 

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

 

Will caregivers and providers be trained on how to use EVV?

Yes. The MDHHS will provide training to agency staff, caregivers and providers, as well as beneficiaries, clients and participants.

 

When will I as a service provider start to use EVV?

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is in the early stage of developing an EVV system.  As we work through this process we will continue to ask for input from stakeholders, providers, beneficiaries, individuals and family caregivers who provide personal care or home health care services.

 

When does the new requirement for EVV take place?

The 21st Century Cures Act is a federal law that requires states to use Electronic Visit Verification for Medicaid by January 1, 2020, for personal care services, and January 1, 2023, for home health care services.

 

Once EVV is implemented for personal care services and home health care services, will there be a requirement to send the data, or just that we need to be able to give the information at the time of an audit?

The state of Michigan will collect the six mandated data elements for all EVV required services regardless of where the EVV data was initially captured. 

 

Will EVV be available in multiple languages?

The MDHHS is aware of the diversity that exists within our state and is taking into consideration various languages and how this may affect providers, beneficiaries and individuals. 

 

Will EVV affect my payment for services?

Per the federal Cures Act, states can only pay for services correctly recorded in EVV. However, Michigan is committed to setting clear expectations, working together with providers and managed care programs on training and the roll-out of EVV, and phasing in requirements where possible.

 

Will providers be mandated to use a specific system?

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has decided to go with an open system, that may allow providers with an EVV system the ability to continue using their current system. However, providers that currently do not have an EVV system will have the ability to use the state-developed EVV system. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services continues to urge providers that no action is needed at this time. 

 

Is there any information about the technical requirements for our organization's EVV software system in order to integrate with Michigan's EVV system?

MDHHS has not determined technical specifications for external EVV systems at this time. MDHHS will communicate with providers as more information is learned.

 

If we choose not to use Michigan's EVV system, will providers be mandated to use a specific external EVV system?

Providers will not be mandated to use a specific external EVV system. The MDHHS has made the decision to implement an open vendor model. This allows Providers to use the state EVV system or another EVV system of their choosing that meets state requirements. 

 

We are an agency without an EVV system but are thinking of incorporating an accounting software application. As several EVV systems and accounting software applications are available for the provider to choose from, can you provide information regarding external EVV systems or accounting software applications that could be used by providers? 

The SOM is selecting an EVV vendor that all providers may use. In consultation with the selected EVV vendor, MDHHS will publish requirements for integration. MDHHS expects most commercially available EVV systems will be able to meet these requirements.

 

Will EVV apply to personal care services in a congregate setting throughout a twenty-four period?

Per CMS guidance (EVV FAQ (medicaid.gov) EVV is not applicable to "in-home visits" where a congregate setting provides services around the clock (24 hours and 7 days a week)  with staff working shifts and bills at a per diem rate for personal care services (e.g., group homes, assisted living facilities, etc.). States will be required to confirm if the setting meets these guidelines. Also, CMS notes that the state can apply additional EVV requirements beyond the requirements of the CURES Act. 

 

Will EVV apply to home-delivered meals?

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

 

How will Electronic Visit Verification work for parents who are caregivers of their adult disabled child in their own home?

MDHHS is aware of these types of circumstances that may exist and how they may potentially affect the provision of services to Medicaid beneficiaries and their caregivers. The state of Michigan is evaluating each program and expects to issue policy in the following months.

 

Who can I contact to find out more information?

The MDHHS will continue to update this website as more information becomes available. E-mail questions to MDHHS-EVV@Michigan.gov

 

Where can I find more information and stay current on Michigan's progress with EVV?

MDHHS will continue to update the EVV website as more information becomes available. Questions about EVV may be emailed to MDHHS-EVV@Michigan.gov. EVV notifications will be sent to you via email if you register with Michigan's EVV Listserv.

 

How will Michigan ensure that access to the State of Michigan's EVV System is not too costly?

The goal of MDHHS is to not affect services currently being received, and that any additional cost is kept as low as possible due to an increase in data usage when accessing the EVV system. It is unknown at this time if access to the EVV system will result in additional costs to the individual providing or receiving the service using the EVV system. 

 

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). Source: EVV Requirements in the 21st Century Cures Act.

 

Has Michigan selected an EVV aggregator or vendor through the Request for Proposal (RFP) process? And where can I find out more information about this process?

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) on 7/21/22 to procure a web-based commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) system. Proposals are due September 16, 2022, with an award expected in early 2023. EVV questions can be sent to MDHHS-EVV@Michigan.gov.   

Vendors interested in submitting a proposal should visit the Michigan Department of Technology, Management, and Budget (DTMB) Procurement webpage. This webpage serves as the state's centralized purchasing authority.

 


 

Updated as of November 2, 2022.

 

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