Good Afternoon Members,

Yesterday OPRA staff attended the Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) stakeholder meeting at the Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM). I have attached the PowerPoints presentations and the agenda from the meeting.

ODM continues to clarify how EVV will be implemented in some DODD services. Below are some key takeaways from yesterday’s meeting.

Phase two DODD services that will be subject to EVV includes nursing services, delegated nursing, and unit-based homemaker/personal care (H/PC) under the individual options and level one waivers. This does NOT include H/PC under the DRA. This also does not include services provided under the Self-Empowered Life Fund (SELF) waiver. EVV under the SELF waiver will be designed and implemented in a new phase three which is set to go live in May 2020. To be in compliance with the EVV requirement in these services, providers can use the EVV system supplied by ODM or use their own system if the system has been approved by ODM.  

The time line for phase two implementation

· Jan/Feb 2019, training will begin for providers. During this time ODM’s EVV system through Sandata will be live for Phase 2 providers to begin using once they’ve completed training.

· May 06, 2019, EVV Rule will be in effect mandating use of EVV for Phase 2 providers. This is considered the “Go Live” date.

· Summer/Fall 2019, Phase 2 claims will be denied if a verified visit does not exist.

At this time, ODM is not planning on pushing the implementation date back if the legislation that was recently passed in the US House of Representatives (H.R. 6042) is signed into law. ODM believes staying on their current timeline will provide extra protection from federal penalties if the implementation of EVV in phase two does not go as planned and needs to be lengthened. 

Finally- individuals receiving services will NOT need to sign off of on the visit. When a DSP or nurse signs in or out of a visit on the ODM supplied system, there will not be an option for an individual receiving services to sign off on their services. If the DSP signs in or out of a visit through the telephony option, the pre-recorded prompt will ask for verification. It is not needed for DODD services and a DSP can hang up if they have provided all of the other required information. This should decrease the administrative time needed for EVV implementation by decreasing the number of possible exceptions that would need to be cleared before billing. However, if the individual is receiving a phase one service (state plan home health aide, state plan home health RN, LPN, and private duty nursing (PDN), Ohio Home Care Waiver RN and LPN nursing, Ohio Home Care waiver personal care aide, Ohio Home Care waiver home care attendant, and State Plan RN assessment) from your agency or another agency, this verification by the individual receiving services is still required. 

As always please let us know if you have any questions!

Christine

Christine Touvelle

Policy Analyst

O- 614-224-0772

1152 Goodale Blvd.

Columbus, Ohio 43212