Action | Electronic Visit Verification |
Stage | Proposed |
Comment Period | Ended on 3/21/2020 |
Virginia's (DMAS') agency statement:
https://townhall.virginia.gov/L/GetFile.cfm?File=64\5039\8364\AgencyStatement_DMAS_8364_v3.pdf
In this statement, DMAS said that Virginia would not apply any more stringent guidelines than CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services - federal government) required. CMS stated that EVV applies only to caregiver visits to the home and live-in providers live with the person they are caring for and do not visit. Live-ins provide care 24 hours per day. Therefore, CMS stated live-ins are exempt from EVV. Other states have already exempted live-ins based on CMS's guidance. Many of these live-in providers have already sacrificed a great deal by opening their own homes to a loved one and subjecting their homes to monthly agency visits along with ongoing evaluations and scrutiny. They do not need more burdens placed on them. Those that make these kind of sacrifices nowadays are rare. The nation is in a caregiver crisis. Since live-ins are the state's most affordable option, the state cannot afford to lose live-ins over EVV. Please allow live-in providers to be exempt from EVV. My family member will end up in a group home, and it will cost the state more if live-ins are not exempt.