When Does Iowa EVV Start?

What home health agencies need to know about EVV in Iowa

Faqs, information, implementation, & facts about Iowa Electronic Visit Verification


Iowa EVV system

What exactly are the facts and deadlines surrounding EVV in the state of Iowa? Has Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) already begun there for all agency types? How do the 21st Century Cures Act (The Act) requirements overlap with Iowa's requirements? In this homecare blog, we'll cover everything you need to know about Iowa EVV and how to make sure your agency stays on top of compliance.

The start of EVV in Iowa


Per the 21st Century Cures act, Iowa's somewhat delayed implementation of Electronic Visit Verification (EVV), much like on the national level was meant to ensure accuracy and reduce fraud.  

EVV in the state is required for Personal Care Services (PCS) and Home Health Care Services (HHCS). The state selected Carebridge as their official aggregator system, however, agencies are free to use any approved Iowa EVV system so long as it is compatible with Iowa HHS selected Carebridge's interface.

What is the 21st Century Cures Act


Electronic Visit Verification, or EVV, is a federal requirement for states to implement as soon as possible without undo burden. In December 2016, the 21st Century Cures Act was signed into federal law. Section 12006 of the Act required EVV for personal care services beginning January 1, 2020, and for home health services beginning January 1, 2023.
EVV regulations in Iowa


What is a "Good Faith Exemption?"


Once the Cures Act went into effect, many states were squeezed by the deadlines to select a state aggregator, train personnel, and meet implementation dates that would allow agencies time to keep up. To mitigate this administrative burden, states were offered "Good faith exemptions, or extensions to the deadlines to allow them to complete the groundwork necessary for successful implementation.  Like many other states, Iowa was granted a one-year good faith exemption, so the requirement for Iowa was then changed to  January 1, 2021, for personal care, January 1, 2023, for home health services, and subsequently, January 2024. The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services is using a Managed Care implementation model for EVV. Both Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) will be using the same EVV vendor, CareBridge.

Why is EVV needed in Iowa?


EVV is intended to be used to monitor the delivery and utilization of personal care and home health services in non-traditional settings, providing verification of the visit with location information and a time stamp. This will meet the requirements of the 21st Century Cures Act, reducing fraud, and increasing the accuracy of visits conducted by agencies in the state.

EVV also ensures quality and program integrity, streamlining billing for providers as once a visit is complete, the claim is sent to the MCO for payment. Starting with dates of service on or after January 1, 2021, EVV is required for personal care services payable by a MCO. Fee-for-Service providers will continue to bill as they normal. 

What services are required to use EVV in Iowa? 


Beginning January 1, 2021, the following Consumer Directed Attendant Care (CDAC) and homemaker services provided through Iowa MCOs required EVV: 

• Attendant care services (S5125) 
• Homemaker services (S5130 and S5131)
• Personal care services (T1019) 


What provider types are required to adhere to EVV mandates in Iowa?

Home health services and waiver providers including Individual CDAC providers, and Consumer Choices Options (CCO) providers. 


What EVV data must a compliant EVV system transmit?

  • Type of service performed
  • Full name of the individual receiving the service
  • Full name of caregiver/nurse providing the service
  • Date the service was performed
  • Location (physical address) the service was performed
  • The beginning and end times of the service

What is the state's free EVV aggregator system?


Carebridge was selected by Iowa to be the official EVV aggregator system.

Can agencies use another EVV software system?


Agencies are free to select a compatible EVV system for Iowa, an alternate Iowa EVV software, or utilize the state's free system. Alternate systems as well as home health software with built-in EVV for Iowa can be utilized, as long as they are capable with the data requirements of Carebridge fulfilling the state's aggregation criteria. 

Read additional blogs on Iowa EVV & general EVV information:

Electronic Visit Verification in Iowa
The home health EVV mandate and state-by-state technology solutions
Streamlining EVV for home health agencies
How do I choose EVV software?
EVV start dates and extensions

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