The world of home care can be pretty confusing. There’s a lot to know, and if you don’t know everything it can be pretty stressful. That’s why we’re here to help. In this article, we’re going to talk about EVV systems.
Who is required to use them? What are they used for? These are all great questions that we intend to answer throughout the duration of this article, and if you read on you’ll learn a great deal about using an EVV system for home care.
Information that could be invaluable to you in your profession. Even if you already know about this subject, there’s bound to be something new that you can learn from reading this article. So, without further ado, let’s jump right in.
What is an EVV System?
If you’ve made it this far into this article, that means that you’re here to learn about EVV systems. So, what are they and how can they help? Well, an EVV system is a piece of software that helps to keep track of visits made by home care providers.
It’s important to use an EVV system because it helps to ensure that patients are receiving the care that they need in a timely manner. This piece of software can also help to track things like how long visits last, what services were provided during those visits, and who provided those services.
An EVV system can be used either as a web-based application or as a mobile app. Either way, it’s designed to make the process of tracking visits easier for both home care providers and office staff.
Some of the benefits of using an EVV system include being able to reduce paperwork, getting real-time visibility into patient care, and improving communication between office staff and home care providers.
When and Why is an EVV System Legally Required?
So, where did EVV systems come from? What is their purpose? What laws made them come into place? This is all important infromation for understanding when and why an EVV system may be legally required.
In order to understand the origins of EVV, we have to go back to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which was passed in 2010. One of the goals of this act was to reduce fraud and abuse in the Medicare system. In order to do that, Congress included a provision that required the use of EVV for certain home health services starting in 2019.
The use of EVV systems is intended to help verify that services were actually provided, confirm who provided those services, and track when those services were provided. This information can then be used to help prevent fraud and abuse by making it easier to track down any discrepancies.
Currently, there are two main types of home health services that require the use of EVV: personal care services and private duty nursing. These are both services that are typically provided on an hourly basis, which makes them more susceptible to fraud and abuse.
There are a few different ways that providers can comply with the EVV requirements. The first is by using a web-based application or a mobile app that has been approved by CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services). The second option is to use an electronic timekeeping system that integrates with an approved EHR (Electronic Health Record) system.
Providers who do not comply with the EVV requirements may be subject to civil or criminal penalties, including fines and imprisonment and that’s why it’s so important to understand all of this information if you happen to work in this industry.
How to Use an EVV System
Now that we’ve talked about what an EVV system is and when it’s required, let’s talk about how to actually use one. The first thing you need to do is choose which type of EVV system you want to use. As we mentioned before, there are web-based applications and mobile apps that have been approved by CMS.
There are a few steps that you can typically follow when using this kind of software. Of course, every piece of software is a little different, but here’s a rough step-by-step guide:
- Choose an EVV system
- Set up an account
- Add patients to the system
- Schedule visits
- Enter visit information
- Many pieces of software will ping your location during this step.
- Generate reports
That’s a pretty basic overview of how to use an EVV system, but of course, there are more details that you’ll need to know depending on which software you choose, as we mentioned. That being said, it’s typically that easy to do it, and be sure that you’re following the legal requirements for home care providers.
If you’re still not sure how to use an EVV system or you want to learn more about the specifics of a particular piece of software, there are plenty of resources available online. You can find webinars, training materials, and even video tutorials that can help you get started using an EVV system.
It might feel a little overwhelming to get into, but the resources you need to make it easier are definitely out there. All you need to do is look and you can become a pro in no time at all.
The Benefits of Using an EVV System
We’ve talked about what an EVV system is and when it’s required by law, but what are the benefits of actually using one for you as a caretaker? Let’s take a look at some of the advantages that come with using this software in your home care business.
The first benefit is that it can help to reduce paperwork. With an EVV system, all of the visit information is entered electronically, which means that there’s no need for paper forms. This can save a lot of time and money in the long run.
Another benefit is that you’ll have real-time visibility into patient care. With an EVV system, you can see when visits are scheduled, what services were provided during those visits, and who provided those services. This information can be incredibly valuable in terms of understanding how your patients are doing and making sure that they’re receiving the care they need.
Improved communication is another big advantage of using an EVV system. With this software in place, office staff and home care providers can easily communicate with each other about patient care. This can help to ensure that everyone is on the same page and that patients are receiving the best possible care.
In addition to all of those benefits, using an EVV system can also help to improve your bottom line. By reducing paperwork and improving communication, you’ll be able to save time and money which can then be reinvested back into your business.
All in all, there are a lot of good reasons to use an EVV system in your home care business. Implementing new technologies can be a big undertaking, but the benefits are definitely worth it. Considering it’s also a legal requirement for certain patients, it’s a win-win to be in compliance with the law.
How to Choose a Piece of EVV Software
There are a lot of different EVV systems on the market, so how do you know which one is right for you? Well, that depends on a few different factors. The first thing you need to consider is what type of home care business you have.
Here are just a few of the things that you should keep in mind when picking out a piece of EVV software:
- Your budget
- The size of your business
- Your company’s needs
- State laws
- The type of home care services you provide
Another thing to keep in mind is that not all EVV systems are created equal. Some are more robust than others, and some have more features than others. You’ll need to evaluate your needs and figure out which features are most important to you.
Once you’ve considered all of those factors, you should be able to narrow down your options and choose the best piece of EVV software for your business. Be sure to do your research and read reviews before making your final decision.
Once you have the piece of EVV software that you want, all that’s left is to set it up. This can be a pretty easy process. You would usually just have your I.T. department take care of it, or you could do it yourself if that responsibility typically falls on your shoulders.
Understanding the Legal Requirements of Your Home Care Business
The law exists to make sure that people are protected in many situations. The laws that made EVV software a legal requirement for certain people have done a great job at cutting back on the amount of fraud that was committed against patients with Medicare.
Knowing why certain laws are in place and how to best make sure that you’re in compliance with said laws can make your life a whole lot easier, regardless of if you’re a home care provider or a semi-truck driver.