Like many other states in 2019 and 2020, Electronic Visit Verification has come to Nebraska. When is its official start date? What types of agencies does it apply to, and what are the specific requirements? Are home health care agencies free to choose whatever EVV software they desire? We answer all of these questions and more as we take a closer look at EVV in the state of Nebraska.
EVV for Nebraska Agencies
TO VIEW THE NEBRASKA EVV SOFTWARE SOLUTION BY ALORA – CLICK HERE
Nebraska EVV Info & Facts
Most in the industry have become quite familiar with the fact that EVV nationwide was born out of the 21st Century Cures Act. The Federal 21st Century Cures Act (2016) requires Nebraska to implement a new electronic visit verification (EVV) system for Medicaid Aged & Disabled Waiver and Personal Assistance Services providers in 2020. EVV is intended to electronically capture and verify provider visit information.
WHAT IS THE EVV START DATE IN NEBRASKA?
The 21st Century Cures Act amended the Social Security Act to mandate state Medicaid agency implementation of Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) use for personal care services requiring an in-home visit by providers starting on January 1, 2019. The date changed via federal adjustment to January 1, 2020, additionally providing an option for states to apply for a ‘Good Faith Exemption’ request to implement EVV for personal care services after January 1, 2020 but before January 1, 2021. The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) applied for a Good Faith Exemption and was officially approved by CMS to implement prior to January 1, 2021. Home health care services will be required to utilize EVV beginning January 1, 2023
WHAT ARE NEBRASKA’S EVV SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS?
AN APPROVED EVV SYSTEM IS REQUIRED FOR PERSONAL CARE SERVICES AND HOME HEALTH CARE SERVICES UNDER MEDICAID
Per the specifications of the 21st Century Cures Act, a selected Nebraska EVV system must minimally electronically verify the following information:
- The date the service is performed
- The type of service which is performed
- The name of the individual receiving the service
- The location in which the service is performed
- The name of the individual providing the service
- Exact start and end time when the service was performed
Learn more about Nebraska EVV on the official NE DHHS website by clicking here
CAN I CHOOSE THE NEBRASKA EVV SOFTWARE SYSTEM I WANT TO USE?
Yes.
In December of 2020 the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) selected 4Tellus, LLC (Tellus) to launch electronic visit verification (EVV) in Nebraska, however, Nebraska is an open model state, meaning agencies are free to select a compliant Nebraska EVV system of their preference. Providers using an alternate Nebraska EVV system are responsible for the costs of that solution and are required to use an EVV system that is compliant with the rules set forth by DHHS. 3rd party EVV system requirements are posted to the DHHS EVV webpage.
When will home health and personal care providers be required to use EVV?
Nebraska’s “early adopters” group went live in September 2020. The remaining providers will be phased in after the pilot concludes.
To view Nebraska DHHS Compatible EVV Software click here
Alora Healthcare Systems offers Home Health Software for Nebraska , a mobile-ready, comprehensive, whole agency solution that features integrated Nebraska electronic visit verification in alignment with the requirements outlined by Nebraska DHHS and the 21st Century Cures Act. The benefits to Nebraska home health care agencies are immense, as these agencies are able to meet and exceed business goals and thrive, utilizing an easy to manage solution that grants admins and caregivers high operational efficiency.
IF I CHOOSE AN ALTERNATE NEBRASKA EVV VENDOR, HOW WILL I KNOW IT IS COMPLIANT?
In concert with the requirements set forth in the 21st Century Cures Act, agencies may use any compliant EVV system that meets the following verification criteria:
- The EVV system shall identify the individual administering the service during the visit
- The EVV system shall identify the provider agency that employs or contracts with the individual providing the service.
- The EVV system shall identify the patient receiving the service during the visit
- The EVV system shall record the date of the visit
- The EVV system shall independently verify the official start and end time of the visit
- The EVV system shall record the location of the visit.
ABOUT TELLUS EVV
Nebraska providers are free to use Tellus EVV. Tellus is committed to supporting third-party system implementations and offers training for providers on how to submit claims via the Tellus Portal once the selected third-party vendor has successfully integrated. Tellus will provide customer support for all providers.
DHHS revised schedule of events:
- Production Ready for third-party EVV vendors: 11/13/2020
- Registration date: 12/20/2020
- Start date for DD waiver providers using Therap: 01/01/2021
- EVV launch date: 01/03/2021
- Start Date for Agency Providers with third-party EVV vendors: 01/03/2021
Click here to visit the Nebraska DHHS website for additional information on Nebraska’s EVV requirements.
Alora is an Approved Vendor by the Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services For DHHS Compatible EVV Software
THE ALORA HOME HEALTH BLOG
Read the Alora blog and website to learn more about home health software for Nebraska, Nebraska DHHS compatible EVV, and recent news, articles, and commentaries, as well as other issues that pertain to Nebraska Home health care in the state and beyond. For more information on our blog, or for questions or feedback, please send us an email to HomeHealthSoftware@AloraHealth.com