Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) is a type of technology providers use to confirm the delivery of home health services. Using a smartphone or tablet, caregivers use their caregiver mobile app to enter the start and end times of every visit. The GPS is used to verify their location and confirm they are in the right place. These simple but essential steps help agencies ensure visits are conducted as planned and identify any no-shows or delays.
While EVV is a much more efficient tool than manual visit tracking for several reasons, one of its most significant benefits is compliance. In the U.S., the 21st Century Cures Act mandates that EVV must be used for any home care or personal care being administrated at the client’s residence.
THe primary goal of this Act, which was signed into law in 2016, is to reduce the risk of fraud. But by keeping a record of information like client name, date of appointment, location of service delivery, and caregiver on duty, it also creates an accountability framework that confirms services are delivered according to each client’s care plan.
Digital tools are supposed to make caregivers’ and providers’ lives easier – not harder. That’s why using a mobile app is the best way to implement an EVV system.
Benefits of Mobile Apps for EVV Compliance
By definition, visit verification is captured at the point of care, so it only makes sense for your tracking technology to align with a caregiver’s on-the-go lifestyle. Utilizing a tablet or smartphone is infinitely easier than lugging around a stack of documents, and mobile apps offer no shortage of benefits for EVV compliance, including the following:
- Collect visit data in real-time for the most accurate, up-to-date picture of each visit.
- Send appointment information straight to a centralized hub instead of waiting to hand off physical documents or transcribe visit notes
- Use GPS for hyper-accurate device-based location verification
- Create a digital audit trail for transparency and audit readiness
Overall, this ensemble of advantages creates an airtight accountability system for caregivers, ensuring they fulfill expectations, manage their hours effectively, and record data accurately.
Top Features to Look for in EVV-Compliant Caregiver Mobile Apps
When choosing an EVV-compliant app, there are a few key features provider agencies should look for, including how they rank compared to the competition. Aside from the features mentioned above, like real-time data capture and GPS tracking, consider these valuable abilities when vetting providers:
- A module for caregivers to record visit notes or updates about clients’ health and the services provided
- Individual accounts that enable caregivers to log in securely an ensure data privacy
- Alerts and notifications that keep caregivers up-to-date on schedule changes, missed clock-ins, and more
- Two-way in-app messaging connecting caregivers to administrators for quick problem resolution
- An intuitive interface that any caregiver can learn, regardless of their level of tech-savviness
How to Implement Mobile EVV Solutions
Like any new technology, introducing EVV into your agency’s digital ecosystem needs to be carefully thought out and managed. The learning curve may be steep at times, so a phased introduction is usually the best way forward, whether it’s one department, office, or region at a time. That way, you can troubleshoot issues on a smaller scale if they arise and then use what you’ve learned to continuously smooth out the rest of your rollout.
Train Caregivers
Since caregivers will use the EVV system most often, it makes sense to start here. Home care staff should be given plenty of time to interact with the new app before using it in the field, getting familiar with the interface, and asking any questions before they hit the road.
Train Admin Staff
The in-office team represents the other half of the EVV equation. They will need to be trained on how to manage the data collected by the EVV system, create reports based on said data, and make manual edits to resolve errors or omissions. Since EVV is primarily a compliance tool, they will also need to understand how to document and report information for Medicaid and insurance billing purposes.
Continuously Maintain Data Security
Any organization operating in the healthcare space is aware of the importance of data security. Since EVV handles sensitive information protected under HIPAA, the implementation phase is a good opportunity to remind staff about best practices for secure data transmission and adherence to the industry’s strict privacy laws.
Common Challenges With Mobile EVV
If you find yourself following every step correctly but still running into those issues, don’t worry—it’s normal to experience growing pains as you onboard a new type of technology.
Resistance to Change
When it comes to EVV in particular, you may encounter resistance from caregivers who are used to doing their work a certain way.
Software Compatibility
You’ll only be able to make the most of your new EVVY system if it integrates with your existing technology stack. Otherwise, it may create administrative busywork for the in-office team.
Best Practices for Ensuring EVV Compliance With Mobile Apps
The effectiveness of your EVV solution will only be as strong as your compliance protocols. It’s important for provider agencies to establish clear policies that outline expectations for how caregivers and admin staff will sue the new system, including:
- How and when caregivers should log visits
- How to document missed or incomplete visits
Consistently monitoring and auditing EVV data is also essential. You’ll need to review logs and reports regularly to identify any discrepancies or noncompliance issues. Finally, the EVV platform’s reporting features will compile valuable insights to help agencies optimize their operations and, over time, boost the quality of their services.
How to Integrate Mobile EVV With Existing Systems
Fortunately, most home care software platforms make it easy to integrate mobile EVV with other important home care touchpoints. Your visit verification system should be able to seamlessly sync up with your scheduling software, billing and payroll systems, and Electronic Health Records (EHRs). That way, you can create an information highway connecting the most important data sources under one digital roof.
Future Trends in Mobile EVV Technology
There are plenty of interesting developments on the horizon for EVV. Here are a few exciting features we expect to see in the coming years:
- Biometric login that uses fingerprints or facial identity to verify caregivers and reduce fraudulent activity
- AI analysis for EVV data to help identify trends, predict issues, and more
- Wearable devices like smartwatches and fitness trackers used to log caregivers’ locations and more
- Integrations with smart home devices to verify service delivery at the point of care in real-time
Take the Next Step Toward Seamless EVV Compliance With AxisCare
Home care agencies across the map are using EVV to ensure care is delivered at the right place at the right time. Are you ready to boost your EVV compliance with simple, user-friendly, and highly effective mobile technology? Request a live demo with our team to learn more.
