Our fight to protect privacy for providers and clients
A federal law has mandated that all states implement Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) for Medicaid-funded personal care services programs like IHSS starting January 1, 2019—or else lose significant funding. Providers and clients have been very worried about what EVV will be like: will it endanger our privacy? Will it create lots of extra work in our already busy days?
That’s why UDW caregivers have been active in opposing a burdensome EVV system, and have been sharing our fears and concerns about EVV to the California Department of Social Services (DSS).
What is happening now with EVV?
Now that the state has announced their initial EVV plans, it looks like our activism has paid off. The state said that they are listening to IHSS providers and clients and are going ahead with a plan to implement EVV that is not nearly as intrusive as we feared. While not yet approved by the federal government, the planned California EVV system will be relatively simple and require very little change for providers already using electronic timesheets.
What will the proposed EVV plan change for providers and clients?
Unlike some other states, California’s EVV will be a non-specific description of hours and services using existing electronic timesheet technology. There will be no “real-time” reporting—you will report the services you provided when you normally do your timesheets. There will be no GPS or other location tracking and no detailed descriptions of where you and your client are or what services you provide.
For most providers and clients, there will be little change. However, the plan includes phasing out paper timesheets, and providing a call-in phone option for those who don’t have access to the internet.
What is UDW doing?
UDW will continue to protect privacy and quality of care for IHSS providers and clients by holding DSS accountable to their promises and working at the California State Capitol to make sure that the laws on EVV stay on our side. The biggest challenge of this plan is the proposed elimination of paper timesheets, and UDW will be there to help members with this transition if and when the time comes.
What you can do
Stay connected with UDW!
Visit www.udw.org and make sure to follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/UDW to find out the latest developments and ways you can get involved.
