The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) recently announced that it will implement an Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) system to validate in-home visits for Medicaid recipients. MDHHS plans to begin the transition to the EVV system in early 2024.
Michigan’s transition to an EVV system was precipitated by the 21st Century Cures Act, which requires states to implement an EVV system for all Medicaid personal care services and home health services that require in-home visits by a provider.
MDHHS awarded a five-year contract to IT firm HHAeXchange to build out and manage an EVV system that MDHHS will provide free of charge. However, MDHHS will be using an “Open Vendor Model,” which allows providers and managed care organizations to use either the state-provided EVV system, or their own EEV system software that directly integrates with the state’s system. To comply with the Act, The EEV system will collect information about the services provided, including the type of service provided, the provider who provided the service, the name of the patient who received the service, the start and end times of the service provided, the date when the service was provided, and the location where the services were provided.
As the move to the EVV system is implemented, MDHHS will provide training to providers and patients on how to use the EVV system. MDHHS will use a staggered approach to implementing the EVV system starting in early 2024. This staggered implementation should give providers more time for training and adoption of the EVV system.
Previous MDHHS roll-outs of web-based tools, including Community Health Automated Medicaid Processing System (CHAMPS), have rarely gone smoothly, with providers experiencing lack of functionality, frequent system outages, and inconsistent advice from MDHHS phone representatives. As the full implementation of the EVV system requirement approaches, providers and managed care organizations should carefully read any technical or regulatory guidance on transitioning to the new EVV system to avoid future complications.
For over 35 years, Wachler & Associates has represented healthcare providers and suppliers nationwide in a variety of health law matters, and our attorneys can assist providers and suppliers in navigating the regulation of Medicare, Medicaid, and home health services. If you or your healthcare entity has any questions pertaining to healthcare compliance, please contact an experienced healthcare attorney at 248-544-0888 or wapc@wachler.com.