Electronic Visit Verification (EVV)
For more info, contact us at EVVHELP@la.gov.
Electronic visit verification (EVV) is a computer-based system that confirms service visit occurrences and records the exact times when services start and end using smart devices. The main goals of an EVV system are to ensure that individuals receive the services authorized in their care plans, reduce instances of improper billing and payment, protect against fraud, and enhance program oversight. In Louisiana, the EVV system is integrated into the Louisiana Service Reporting System (LaSRS), which is managed by the state’s data and prior authorization contractor, Statistical Resources, Inc. (SRI).
H.R. 34, also known as the 21st Century Cures Act, was signed into law on December 13, 2016. This legislation requires all states to implement an electronic visit verification (EVV) system for Medicaid-funded personal care services by January 1, 2020 and by January 1, 2023 for Home Health Care Services (HHCS). If states do not comply, there will be a reduction in the federal medical assistance percentage for these services. (Note: CMS granted most states, including Louisiana, extensions to implement PCS by 1/1/21 and HHCS by 1/1/24; both of these timelines were met.) Section 12006 specifically mandates the implementation of an EVV system for personal care services and home health care services under Medicaid, particularly for services provided through Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS). More information can be found here.
The term "electronic visit verification system" refers to a system used for personal care services or home health care services. This system electronically verifies each visit related to these services by confirming the following details:
- the type of service performed;
- the individual receiving the service;
- the date of the service;
- the location of service delivery;
- the individual providing the service; and
- the time the service begins and ends.
Louisiana's Transition to EVV
EVV was successfully implemented for HCBS direct-care services delivered outside the home on March 1, 2016, through the prior authorization data contractor, Statistical Resources, Inc. These services include the center-based, vocational, and transportation services. The web-based EVV solution is accessed and utilized from any device that can access the internet, including PCs, smartphones, and tablets of all types and carriers. This solution allows us to detect when two providers claim to provide services to the same client simultaneously. While center-based services account for less than 13% of all services, they were involved in 97% of all client overlapping incidents.
LDH implemented its EVV system for waiver in-home providers across the state using a phased approach. This method allowed LDH to gather practical feedback from participating providers, which helped address any system or usability issues. This strategy contributed to a smooth transition to the EVV system, which was completed in March 2018. Implementation of all personal care services was completed in January 2021, and HHCS was completed in January 2024.
Memos
- EVV Questions and Answers for Home Health Services 12.15.23
- Updated EVV Documents Memo 1.27.23
- Updated LaSRS® Connectivity Test Form 1/3/23
- EVV Questions & Answers
- EVV Questions & Answers for Home Health Services
- Technical Requirements for EVV Providers to Bridge to the SRI System
- LAST to LaSRS Transition
- EVV Service Location 11/3/23
- Memos Archive
- EVV Policy and Procedures
Technical Requirements
Technical Requirements for EVV Providers to Bridge to the SRI System
- Attestation for Providers Utilizing Their Own EVV System (revised 3.24.25)
- Data Integration Process (revised 3.24.25)
- PCS Data Bridge Elements (revised 7.11.19)
- HHCS Onboarding Process (revised 9.27.23)
- HHCS Data Bridge Elements (revised 10.31.23)
Additional Resources
Benefits of Using the State's EVV System for Providers
- Use of the LaSRS system is free to providers
- Workers who have smart phones will be able to use their own phones
- Minimal data use for providers using LaSRS (average use of 1% of 1GB per month)
- Rounding utilizing 7/8 minute rule for EVV services
- GPS verification of services meets Federal Cures Act requirements
- Automatically checks for Medicaid Excluded individuals who cannot be hired
- Real time access to workers, participants, and their services
- Eliminates need for most manual data entry
- Reduces lag time for reports
- Accessible from any location and any smart device with internet connection and web browser
- Workers able to view past services
- Streamlines check in/out process for direct service workers – allows clock-ins to span midnight and day and night hours without requiring the worker to re-clock in/out
- Reduces errors and overlaps, minimizing staff time for corrections
- More accurate data than manual time sheets
- Prior authorization and client data uploaded throughout the work day as paper CPOCs and revisions are processed at SRI
- Allows agency management the ability to assign workers to specific participants
- Additional data available online to provider agencies including Support Coordination data and participant’s assigned Support Coordinator at that agency
- Access to all LDH memos and agency alerts through the LaSRS dashboard feature
- Does not require agency to maintain backups for LaSRS services and data
- Does not require agency to send information files in order for their services to be processed
- Allows for manual data entry and edits when necessary
- LaSRS offers a feature that allows electronic access to recent Remittance Advices
- Data is exportable from LaSRS to common file formats including Excel and Notepad
Recently Added Features
- Ability for Supervisors to send messages via LaSRS to their staff and check if and when those messages were read
- Time and Attendance Report showing services worked by each DSW including total time for the period
- Ability for individual users, including DSWs, to run time and attendance reports for themselves
- Ability to collect non billable services (i.e. trainings, meetings, supervisor pop up visits)
- Report going back one year from provider’s go live date that details mismatched payments including unpaid and underpaid claims that can be re-billed to Molina.
- Ability for provider agencies to input CPR training dates and receive alerts prior to expiration