On a routine basis, the Department of Health & Human Services Office of the Inspector General (OIG) notifies the public of additional projects that it has undertaken as part of its Work Plan through its daily What’s New email issuances and announcements on its website.  Recently, the OIG announced its intent to conduct an audit of state implementation of Medicaid Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) requirements.

All States must implement electronic visit verification (EVV) for personal care services (PCS) by January 1, 2020, and for home health services (HHSC) by January 1, 2023, as required by the 21st Century Cures Act. The Centers for  Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) granted 1-year extensions (to January 1, 2021) for the vast majority of States to meet the EVV requirements for PCS.

Once implemented, EVV could increase the risk that Medicaid beneficiaries’ needs are not being met, potentially compromising their health and safety. Our objectives will be to determine whether the State: (1) has implemented an EVV system in accordance with Federal and State requirements, and (2) has developed policies and procedures when using EVV to ensure that Medicaid beneficiaries receive their required in-home services.