On December 6, the Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) joined OCHCH for the EVV Summit, sponsored by Alora Healthcare, Brightree, CellTrak, and Sandata. More than 90 OCHCH members gathered to learn more about the implementation of the electronic visit verification system going into effect on January 8, 2018.
Click Here to watch the event in segments on our YouTube channel.
Through OCHCH’s advocacy efforts and testimony provided by our members at the November 17th rules hearing, ODM filed a revised version of the EVV Rule, 5160-1-40, on November 21, 2017. The following changes were made:
- Language stating that claims would not be paid if the time on the claim did not match the time of the visit in the EVV system was removed.
- Language was added to allow telephony as the primary data collection method for alternative EVV data collection modules until January 1, 2019. After this date, providers will have to use a GPS based system to collect the EVV data.
- The specified data elements that are required for individuals and direct care workers were added to the rule.
As a result of the EVV Summit, ODM has agreed to continue to work with OCHCH to address concerns about the EVV rule. Due to the need to begin testing the system on January 8, 2018, OCHCH has agreed not to testify against the EVV rule at the JCARR hearing on Monday, December 11. Read the letter OCHCH sent to JCARR.
While we are no longer requesting a delay, OCHCH will continue to advocate for our members on the issue and engage ODM to improve the EVV rule. While we remain concerned about several aspects of the rule, the rule has to be refiled to accommodate future phases of the EVV implementation. We will use that as an opportunity to advocate for any additional changes needed.
We will keep you updated on this issue.
