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Independent Living News & Policy from the National Council on Independent Living

Deadline Extended: NCIL Needs Your Help Documenting the Impact of Electronic Visit Verification!

When the 21st Century CURES Act passed into law late last year, it included a provision requiring states to implement Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) systems. EVV systems vary by state, but they all entail electronic monitoring of personal care attendants (PCAs), home health care workers, and the consumers they work for.

A NCIL Member holds a sign that says "Resist Injustice"Prior to its passage into law, NCIL released a statement of opposition to EVV, and we continue to strongly oppose it. EVV is discriminatory, and it undermines consumer direction – a key tenet of the Independent Living Movement. EVV is a violation of the privacy of people with disabilities who use PCA and home health services. On top of that, it is expensive, burdensome, and less effective than traditional methods.

We have heard from people with disabilities around the country who are already beginning to feel the negative impact of this requirement. NCIL is committed to considering all available options to fight this harmful law, and in order to do so, we need your help!

Please share your experiences with us. Please answer the questions below, and share any other relevant information, by Friday, January 12, 2018. Send your responses to Lindsay Baran at [email protected].

  1. Has your state implemented or begun to implement EVV?
  2. How does EVV work in your state? For instance, are they using telephonic timekeeping? Are they requiring the use of GPS tracking? Does the system involve random checks, or complex activity logs? Share the details with us.
  3. Have you been personally affected by EVV? For instance, have you been more restricted from accessing your community freely? Have problems with the system or technology delayed payments? Have attendants quit due to new burdensome requirements?

We appreciate any information you can provide. Thank you for your help!

Comments

  1. Cherie Wright says

    I am in Ohio. Training had begun for my providers. EVV will be implemented jan 8. Using a device with gps tracking. I am not allowed to have my providers clock in or out outside of 1000 feet or my homes unless it’s put in the portal with an “exception address”. This is a complete violation of my privacy And have providers comtemplating quitting because of this

    • Since you have gotten device csn you reflect on new discoveries. Many Ohioians are upset with two sided camera and microphone added to the device fact it looks like an iphone

  2. Angel Dillon says

    I think this will be too hard on the clients and the providers when they have to go on outings or vacations or take them to the store stuff like that and for clients that can’t use their arms hands to write speak just too difficult for them it’s too much of a hassle for everyone

  3. The implementation of EVV will cause unnecessary hardships upon the lives of people with disabilities and our Caregivers. It is also a violation of our Civil Rights by treating disability as a criminal act.

  4. Alicia Hopkins says

    As a crime victim with a disability this device is invasion of my privacy. Also it is life wrecker. I should not have to feel like i am on house Arrest or prisoner in my home. Also it would create problems for me.
    Violation so many laws as well.
    It discriminates aginst people with cognitive disabilities so much.

    • Every Friday I will take my client up to meet her husband for the weekend, will always have to be at the same meeting place as we usually meet where it is convient for him. Or a doctors appointment she will have scheduled. Now he will most likely have to drive down to her house, even in not so good driving conditons. Sure she will not be happy about calling in when I leave with also signing time sheets.

  5. angela sage says

    Its another way to not pay for nurses doctors or clinicians, Medicaid billing companies nearly killed off health care worker having them carry caseloads of 150 chronically mentally challenged and sud clients.

  6. Rajai Saleh says

    The first phase of EVV will be implemented in Ohio on January 8th, 2018. Providers have until July to use it correctly or they won’t get paid. My significant other is my independent provider and lives with me. It makes absolutely no sense for cases like mine. I work from home and have a flexible schedule. There is no way I can inform my case manager every time my I get up at a different time, go to bed at a different time, or eat at a different time. I don’t want to be on a fixed schedule. That’s what happens in institutions. I am approved for 61 hours a week, but because he lives with me, he actually does more than that since I need assistance with all of my activities of daily living. I chose for him to be my provider because I need the flexibility and don’t want to depend on unreliable caregivers. I’ve had to deal with that in the past. In addition, although the state said the devices can be used out of the home, they prefer you keep them in the home and add addresses in the system if you are out. That is an invasion of privacy and again limits our freedom. I do believe this will be more harmful than good, and it is a waste of resources that can otherwise be used to expand care to others or raise the pay rate for providers.

    • Rajai Saleh says

      Here is a link to information on Ohio’s EVV:

      http://www.medicaid.ohio.gov/INITIATIVES/ElectronicVisitVerification.aspx

    • Margaret Fackler says

      I so identify with everything you’ve stated! I became an Independent Provider 3 years ago after being the unpaid sole caregiver for “T” for 20+ years.
      “T” became a C-5 quadriplegic when he was 21. (A man with a cast on his forearm gave “T” a karote chop that broke his neck, and changed his life forever.) “T” is now 52. I am 72.
      “T” does not have a “set” schedule-nor does he desire one. He has two other Independent Providers who cover his daytime hours 9-5:30 seven days/week. An agency is supposed to cover the night hours 8PM-7AM seven nights/week, but you know what that’s like. The night hours just started in November and I’ve trained six aides-a seventh didn’t even show up to be trained! One never “got it” and was let go. The remaining ones are good but the agency limits their hours and of course the pay. Weekends and holidays I always feel I’ll be called to fill in.
      Medicaid’s Home Care Waiver pays both IPs and Agency. (Different rates I’m sure)
      I ordered the EVV for “T”. I did the training, setup the device, tried three days to login and still can’t!
      I was on the phone with their support guy for more than an hour while he changed my password twice by email and finally gave up.
      Of course I’m working 1/8/18 because the agency doesn’t have anyone available, so I’ll be on the phone all day trying to reach support-along with a bunch of other IPs…

  7. Tammi Bradley says

    14th Amendment:

    No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

  8. This is not acceptable !!!!!!! We are not criminals !! We are caretakers and disabled !!! There is no excuse for this except trying to prove the disabled aren’t as capable as non disabled !!! WELL THEY ARE !!!!!!!!! They might do things differently and/or need assistance BUT that doesn’t make them less IMPORTANT than ANY OTHER HUMAN BEING !!!!!!! Since you desperately want to track a group, ‘TRACK THE POLITICIANS IN WASH. D.C’. !!!!!! They will show us ALL where the WASTE is !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  9. Glenda Mensing says

    Besides being an invasion of privacy this device has to costing Medicaid millions of dollars that could be used on the disabled and people on the Waiver waiting list get off of it sooner! Also as an IP I’m under the understanding that if my time sheet doesn’t match this device times exactly, I won’t get paid! Also if the clients parent isn’t home when I clock in to verify it I don’t know what will happen! Too much up in the air business and extremely confusing to IPs and the clients haven’t even been notified!!

  10. We need more money cause it is getting to expenses living in Sacramento and have not had a raise in quite sometime

  11. Deb Hamilton says

    I’m a middle-aged mom caring for my adult daughter and being forced to use the EVV system here in our home state of Illinois. I have a Master’s degree from Bradley University, live in the Chicago suburbs, love Shakespeare, am an accomplished French bread baker, and harbor a great degree of resentment for being forced to punch in and out on an electronic timeclock in my own home. The EVV system diminishes and humiliates me; it insultingly insinuates that I’m not capable of managing myself or my home.

    • DJ Shoaf says

      Agreed. They are implementing this now in Colorado. I am not looking forward to the disturbance in my or my daughters life with this system.

  12. Rosie Valenzuela says

    This program is not only intrusive, invasive, illegal and altogether another job! This is illegal to have in HUD housing as they do not allow gps devices. It’s crazy to b monitoring my son going poop by reporting start & finish!! Disabled have rights of privacy!!
    Whomever thought up this idea of monitoring fraud needs to rethink of another method. The percentage of fraud in ihss is so minimal, not worth having to pay a third party mega bucks to monitor.

  13. No EVV, we need our privacy

  14. Susan Pellegrino says

    Our state of Calif is trying to implement this mandatory program. As a caregiver for my spouse it is an unnecessary invasion of privacy. However, it is implemented, it will take and require time that can be used to care for our recipient(s). It is discriminatory against those who are disabled or chronically ill. Being a caregiver is not an easy job. For most caregivers, this was not a career choice. Yet, we make sacrifices daily, we rise to meet every possible challenge we face, all in an effort to ensure our love one receives the quality and the continuity of care they need, they deserve and would not receive in a facility! We do this for wages at or just above minimum wage, being compensated for a capped amount of hrs when in fact we do provide care 24/7! Many caregiver’s have earned degrees, many of us have left lucrative careers or owned businesses. EVV will be another hoop we must jump through in order to keep our love one cared for at home. I resent the fact that the federal government wants to chain us down, hold our recipient and those who care for them as prisoners, take away yet another right to live an independent life as much as their disability or chronic illness allows!

  15. Jessica Danner says

    My client is non verbal and bc of her unique condition is also considered quadriplegic by her doctors. How is she supposed to be able to verify anything?!?! This is so biased against people in her situation and is causing more stress where it is not needed!

  16. Darlene York says

    AS a home health nurse I found this system to be more headaches then it was worth. There were times I used this system I would get called and said I didn’t clock in out ; there were times it would not be working properly. Nurses need to caring for their patients instead of worrying about using these troubled devices.

  17. Rajai Saleh says

    I want to add that here in Ohio, consumers haven’t really had the chance to be informed about EVV other than through their providers. The state hasn’t sent out notifications or educational material. This is starting in less than a month! Only a few consumers have attended stakeholder meetings. Providers are mostly invited. There was a short public comment period that wasn’t very publicized.

    • Fact is they didn’t send anything to beneficiaries til December 1st 2017. Basically denied them fair input process.

  18. Danny Brown says

    This system is set up to fail!!! When it only took 30 min to explain how to use it then three more hours explaining all that can go wrong just tells me that they are rushing as always which means mistakes will be made paychecks will get held up and who suffers we do. Does this help the client in any way “NO”

  19. Sharon Maliff says

    It took an hour to hear what the device was for. It was then 3 hours longer to hear about all the codes and means to “ fix” issues than could pop up. For what? It is another means to delay our already meager pay. It only benefits the government. And we know how screwed up it is. I have been a nurse for almost 40 years. I have worked hard every day of my life to help clients stay well, and in their own environments. It gives me pleasure to see individuals experience life, with my assistance. To live their best life. Don’t treat any of us like criminals!

  20. I’m in Ohio and my providers are in training. The EVV will be implemented January 8 and contain GPS. I am a consumer and rely on my aides morning, noon, and night! This is just another aggravation for them and a reason for them to jump ship! Please find an alternate way to fight fraud!!!

  21. Melissa Day says

    The implementation of the EEV in Ohio on January 8th is going to make feel more disabled than I’ve ever felt in the past 23 years of quadriplegia. It’s bad enough to be in prisoned by paralysis but now I’m losing my freedom to go where ever I want and have my providers meet me there. I fought for the implementation of Ohio’s Medicaid Buy-In for Workers with Disabilities so I and other individuals receiving HCBS waiver could keep our long term care needs out in the community, go to work, and live the American Dream. Now because we require HCBS waiver to live a some what “normal” life, we are losing our right to privacy. For instance, if I’m out shopping more than 1000 feet from my home and the address I’m at is not on the list of approved address then either I’ll have to stop what I’m doing to go home or my provider will not get paid. I’d like to see all the congressman and woman who supported the 21st Century Cures Act be subjected to the same scrutiny.

  22. Charlie Carr says

    I applaud NCIL for gathering this painful testimony and hope that it will serve as a significant resource in litigation. Indeed, not only does it violate our right to privacy it pushes the envelope of Olmstead especially given the unmanageable EVV systems sold by large private for profit companies that make a difficult system to survive in the community even harder Furthur, attendants don’t want it and are leaving or not taking the jobs. Finally no other protected class receiving public benefits is tracked by satellites in the name of “program integrity”. This is IL 101 and we need to fight to keep control of our lives. #nogps

  23. Why couldn’t we be aloud to sign caregivers in and out through MITS or DODD. INSTEAD of tracking my son and invading his rights and privacy we are legal amercian citizens of the UNITES STATES OF AMERICA so where are our rights as stated in the 14th amendment .So whoever thought this through dont know the laws of our country apparently this could be handled in more senseable way and won’t cost millions of dollars and won’t invade privacy. YOU WILL NOT GPS MY SON YOU DIDNT GET MY SIGNATURE TO DO SO NOR DO YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO GPS HIM IN HIS HOME .

  24. Holly Sliter says

    I truly believe this is an invasion of our privacy. I feel as though we are being watched by ” big brother”. Or, that I am a criminal on house arrest. There are so many unanswered questions. How is an aide supposed to run errands for a client if the “care giver” has to stay within a certain amount of feet from the device? What is the consumer has an incontinent episode out side of the time frame that he or she is “allowed to receive care. On my care plan it states that my hours may vary due to my needs. It is as if this will no longer allowed. I DO HAVE A LIFE OUTSIDE OF MY HOME. I do work, and my aide comes to my job to assist me with toileting. How will that work? I am so outraged over all of this. I could go on typing for ever, but I can’t because I have a life.

  25. Sharing a message I’ve sent anonymously to Ohio Department of Medicaid (anonymous for fear of retaliation):
    ——————————————–
    I take care of my permanently disabled best friend who lives with me. He’s family to me, a brother in my eyes. I’m much more than just some ‘non-agency personal care aide’ and he chose me to care for him because of that. Unlike agency providers of the past he trusts me and knows I will always have his back, always be here to help him.

    This is me doing the only thing I know to do to help him regarding this certain-to-be-ruled-unconstitutional EVV system. He had me write to Medicaid hotline on his behalf stating his wish to opt out of this insanity. I’m here to echo that wish for him in the strongest possible terms. The people at Sandata, Medicaid, Congress, etc have ZERO right to know his location at all times, ZERO right to effectively place him on house arrest lest he risk me not getting paid or having to fight to get paid, ZERO right to restrict him to a certain schedule of when to get up, go to bed, etc especially when his ASP clearly states that as long as we don’t exceed the allotted hours per week that the ‘shift’ times can vary. We will not be adhering to a set schedule just to please Congress or a tracking device. He will continue to get up when he wants, eat when he wants, go out when he wants, use the restroom when he wants, etc. You and Congress have ZERO right to negatively impact his life in the way this system can.

    We do not have the time, energy, or money to start a legal battle with Medicaid or the US Congress but we know the cases are coming. And eventually a federal judge or the Supreme Court will find that this system is an unconstitutional invasion of privacy and an undue burden on the lives of disabled Americans. He’s got enough medical equipment and devices to deal with, enough things to plug in, and adding a device that isn’t medically necessary is very much an undue burden. Expecting him to speak into, hold, or somehow sign on such a device is an undue burden. He refuses. We believe it’s his right to refuse.

    For all the reasons mentioned I respectfully request you provide me information on how to get him out of this EVV system. There must be a way to opt out. I know for a fact there are other families in our situation where a loved one is providing care for their best friend or relative and they’re all they’ve got. Maybe their loved one is blind, mute, deaf, or in some other way so disabled that use of this device is impossible. You can’t tell me there’s not a way out. So what is it? What do we do?

    Thank you for your time. Please respond to the e-mail address this message is sent from.

    Have a merry Christmas.
    ——————————————————–

    • Rajai Saleh says

      I am a consumer who is in a very similar situation. My partner who lives with me is also my non-agency personal care aide and I’ve raised the same concerns. This makes more sense for agency aides, but not independent providers who may only work for one or two people. You are definitely not alone in this. I hope there is a way out.

  26. Emma Brohard says

    I live in Ohio. I’m originally from England. I am a citizen of the USA now, and have five children who were all born here. My husband is American by birth.

    My middle child, Abram, will be 11 on Dec 20th, tomorrow. He is an identical twin, born prematurely (28 weeks) with his brother Heath due to Twin to Twin Transfusion syndrome. Sadly, Heath passed away at 3 weeks of age, and Abram is left with quadriplegia cerebral Palsy, he’s Deaf, non-verbal, and requires 24/7 care with all activities of daily living. He also receives 48 hours a week of nursing services in our home.

    We are a boringly honest, tax paying, law abiding family. Through no fault of our own, we are now being told that we will be expected to use an EVV device in our home by January 2018.

    My 11 year old son will, effectively, be tracked by the government. We are a homeschooling family. We go everywhere together. By default, wherever Abe’s nurse is, we are. Therefore my entire family, 5 minors and myself, will be tracked by this EVV device.

    How is this constitutional? It was deemed unconstitutional for ex-sex offenders to wear ankle bracelets in order to monitor their location regarding schools and other child centered locations. If a convicted sex offender cannot be tracked – why on earth is it ok for my 11 year old, profoundly disabled son? His only “crime” was to succumb to a malfunctioning placenta in utero and be born too soon.

    I would welcome the opportunity to discuss this issue with you more fully. My phone number is (sent in email).

    This EVV process is unconstitutional and has to be stopped. My family deserves better, the constitution insists on it.

  27. Alicia Hopkins says

    It is causing consumers to lose providers. Many independent providers are surrendering their numbers because of how stressful this is.
    I have lost a goid provider. My current arent as good. It is causing stress on my care. Without my caregivers i could end up in nursing facility. There is a critical care shortage if providers in Ohio. EVV is only going to make it worse..many providers fear not getting paid and other issues. These providers have families deserve be treated right. It sad situation the EVV is. Ohio deliberately denied beneficiaries a fair input process which goes against federal law. They should be cited or something for that. Disability Rights Ohio needs to step up their game and help the consumer’s and providers

  28. Joseph Keiper says

    I am a consumer having been paralyzed from the neck down since 1991. I utilize and Independent Provider for all my physical needs instead of a home health aid agency. I personally find that independent providers are more reliable and dependable than their agency counterparts.

    I am not thrilled about this new invasion on my privacy disguised as a supposedly helpful device. This only amounts to surveillance and the government tracking your every move! It is a violation of The 4th Amendment of the United States Constitution particularly the section on, Intrusion of Solitude And Seclusion. I have included the link here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Privacy_laws_of_the_United_States#Intrusion_of_solitude_and_seclusion

    My independent provider is also my primary caregiver (and my significant other) has been caring for me since 1992. When no one was going to be able to show up from the home health agencies I have been with, it was my primary caregiver who bathed me, toileted me, dressed me, prepared my meals and fed me.

    This device is going to create a hardship for my caregiver who has to focus a lot of her very limited free time watching ridiculous training videos, (many of which that do not pertain to her particularly) learning a bunch of stuff that more than likely is going to be ruled unconstitutional and a lot of undue stress on her and myself. I have enough to worry about in my life without all this extra nonsense. When my device arrives I am going to have my independent provider return to sender label on the package and put it back in the mailbox. I do not one in my home!

  29. Dominick Evans says

    The EVV devices in Ohio have cameras in the back and front, plus GPS tracking. We have to get exceptions for locations so no spontaneous trips anymore. As a trans disabled person who has at least one stalker, I would feel more comfortable if I was not being tracked.

    My life is at risk, especially when the EVV devices are monitored by a company that has faced security breaches.

  30. Lisa Thorson says

    Thank you for making the removal of the EVV component of the 21st Century Cures Act.
    I have been a wheelchair user and PCA employer since 1979, longtime access advocate and consultant and a professional and well respected artist and educator for the same time period. My credentials aside, this portion of the act was passed by our elected officials without any real time understanding of the implications this has for consumer employers and PCA’s. It erodes and invades privacy under the guise of preventing fraud. Further, it will continue to implode the civil rights of people with disabilities and entire IL movement. This is UNACCEPTABLE. This is HOUSE ARREST! This is GOING BACKWARDS.
    We’ve worked too hard to let this happen.

  31. My son’s EVV just arrived today…the only thing I knew about it was a passing comment from one of his nurses about 2-3 weeks ago. I got NO letter talking about the program.
    A ‘Military grade’ cell phone with microphone and dual cameras…..come on!
    (As if I would use it) someone might want to ship us a pre-charged charging pack every time this thing needs charged…..because my son is on VERY limited income and cannot pay even a few cents to charge this thing.

  32. Shauna Wilson says

    It’s scary to think a device will be in my home that can track our moves, take pictures,(device looks like a phone) have to use my electricity and be able to put it in a safe place in the home. I finally received my letter that this was happening on Dec 21 St. I’m supposed to be receiving the device anytime now. So, my biggest problem with it is we weren’t properly told. I watch the website so I knew it was happening but the government should have told us as consumers at the same time they told the nurses. I also feel family’s should have training on how to operate the device. I also feel that if I have to provide extricity for it than they should give us a discount on our electric bill. I understand the concept but the way it was introduced could have been handled differently. It’s scaring all the good nurses away and forcing us to go to agencies. Which I’ve called several this last month to have hours filled and therapies started. I’ve been told we don’t accept Medicaid, we are not opening any new cases rt now. We don’t have anyone to drive to Delaware rt now and the best one we don’t accept pediatric patients. What are we supposed to do?

  33. This is a violation of their rights and privacy!!

  34. Stephanie Ratcliffe says

    I am from Ohio where EVV system will go into effect on Jan8th 2018. I am the mother of 3 special children, two of which are adults, that require nursing care. We chose to use an agency to provide this care. I was first notified by the agency approximately 3 wks ago that we would be receiving the EVV device in our home. Naturally I had lots of questions, which have not been answered to my satisfaction. My EVV devices ( yes I have 3 of them) were delivered today, 12/29. None of the nurses that work with my children know anything about these devices or have been trained and will be expected to use it on Jan 8th. I also was somewhat dismayed to find a camera on these devices. Why? So you have GPS, camera and probably a recording device in our home violating everyone’s privacy. This is worse than being on house arrest. Nurses will leave because they don’t get paid correctly or don’t want this device to invade their privacy. It’s already extremely difficult to get all my children’s nursing hours covered. This will result in exhausted caregivers who will either make serious mistakes or throw up their hands and put their special people into institutions, where they will not last very long. I wonder if this is what the plan has been all along? No more expensive EVV system, no more expensive Medicaid bills, no more home care nurses, only the cost of the funeral. Ohio claims it’s moving forward in providing disabled people with a more productive quality of life, but is it only for those that don’t rack up the bills? America is suppose to be the home of the free. How free is that when our most vulnerable and perfect human beings are being treated as criminals

  35. Ladel Patterson says

    This is so wrong on so many obvious level for the clients! Besides that, we the providers are now treated like we are guilty of fraud! The training mentions us as “employees “…. wrong! If you want to hire us as employees of the state of Ohio , then take our taxes out and give us benefits! We pay out the wazoo in self employment taxes. We are not employees! We do not need to clock in or out on your spying device. We have our own paperwork that our client signs at the end of our shift. I use Rhino Billing and never have a problem getting paid. The brief letter you sent to my client at the 12th hour ( very unprofessional and sneaky) states that this device is make sure my clients providers get paid for their services….. really???? Who is not getting paid??? I get paid every week…. the state is worried about me not getting paid???? Really??? You’re spending millions of dollars because you are worried about making sure we get paid??? Who ignorant do you think we are? You are not only crossing legal lines with the client but you are tightening the hoops we IP’s have to jump through so that when we don’t jump high enough or through the hoop the right way, you will hold our pay and cause us undo frustration and therefore many will quit. Oh, what is that you say? That’s the plan? The state at one time, saw the value of those with disabilities to live on their own, to have the freedom to make their own choices, to live an independent life. They have a bill of rights. What happened to their rights? I would never allow this device in my home, I can’t even fathom someone thinking this is a good idea. I feel bad for those that may end back in an institution… it’s a sad day when our government is working against the people they are supposed to be fighting for. Shame on this!!!

  36. I am in Pa and so far nothing, but i will say if you don’t want to be tracked or monitored scottefest sells a black,out pouch that you can also get on amazon cheaper , it is whats called a faraday cage put an electrojicvdevicebin and flose it and nosignald getnin or out until you want them to , i use mine to protect my tablet snd fredit cards when traveling card information can be scanned cell phones and gps cant cohnect mics can not be activated there are also easy way to build them out of metal garbage cans and filing cabinets, I use my bag so apps cant target or bother me with nearby sales or promotions turn the device off seal in bag and bits reach to the world till you allow it out . I guess my being a ham radio operator is good for more than chatting around the planet it the working knowledge of electronics and preventing them from being pirated or hacked.
    PEACE

  37. Debbie Johnson Price says

    I find this an invasion of my privacy and I find it totally outrageous that my son has to be subjected to this type of invasion just to obtain benefits and services that he needs. My husband and I have worked (like other families) and placed monies within this system to be able to use it when needed and be made into prisoners to get them. I feel that this is a problem waiting to explode when we start losing providers because they too do not want to be subjected to type of invasion. No one I know has to be watched this much on any job – this is unheard of and not needed. I am to believe that this will save us from fraud – I think not – who is to make me believe that the companies associated with this device cannot themselves become fraudulent – I see an avenue being started that can upheaval the very fabric of why this program was started in the first place. I see where this can only benefit the companies you wish to incorporate into this system that will take monies that could be used for future services and become a burdensome intrusion between the client and their providers. My son, my family, will not help in this endeavor.

  38. Stephanie Ratcliffe says

    My thoughts on Ohio’s EVV system after 2 1/2 days of use: Found out my house and property can be viewed on the Sandata EVV website and where exactly in my house the nurse signs in and out. This is a total invasion of my whole family’s privacy. Also are the people that work on this website properly vetted? They know when I have nursing in my house and when I dont. Most complex medically fragile are on medications and I feel this is a threat to the safety of their being and their medications. With a nice map of the house and property and when people are home or not, what a great setup for a robbery!!!!!!
    Signing in and out is taking a great deal of time away from the nursing care my daughter should receive. On day 1 the nurse signing into her first shift took 20 min to get the device to accept her sign in. Signing out was not so bad, but next nurse that came in took 16 min to sign in. Thats 36 min the first day that my daughter was without nursing services she was supposed to receive. What if she had an emergency during that time?
    I am not comfortable with the EVV device being on constantly and was told it could be turned off when not being used to sign in and out. Device was 100% charged on Mon Jan 8th at 3pm, was turned on at 3pm, 9:30pm. On Jan 9th it was turned on at 6:30am, 3pm, and 9:30pm. On Jan 10th it was turned on at 6:30am and at 3pm it had no battery left. What cell phone can be turned on and off 7 times and be totally discharged? No one will reimburse me for the cost of electricity to charge this device. I have three children requiring nursing and have 3 devices.
    Most importantly, I can definitely see where the use of this device will cause our precious nurses to leave home care. This career is a choice for them and as with any career that becomes a hassle, they can find somewhere else that they are needed. Unlike my children, who without nursing, can only look forward to a very difficult and very shortened life in a nursing facilty.

  39. Greetings,
    I’m an independent provider in Ohio, and we started our EVV process Monday 1/8/18.

    The device and whole system doesn’t seem to be working for me or anyone I know. I practiced on it at one of my clients’ homes on Saturday, and had to call to get the thing to log me in. I was on hold waiting for 20 min that time. My husband is a RN, works the same cases as I, and he
    tried to get in on Sunday, just log in, and he was on hold for 40 min, then gave up.

    I got in at a different clients home on Monday, the start up day, but had to call to figure out how to log out. I got in at a third clients home on Monday evening, and it seemed I logged in and got signed out correctly. The frustrating thing is, after spending hours of my own time on this getting in to the complicated online required program to view your in and out times and fix “exceptions”, neither one of my Monday visits were there at all.

    You can be on hold for 60 mins without every having someone pick up. I know people that have tried to call and were unable to get in the “line” for waiting or choosing a call back. I pushed “2” to have them call me back on Tuesday and in 16 hours never got a call back.

    Now I’m reading on our Ohio Independent Provider Facebook page that there are people getting denied payment already apparently because
    there’s a glitch in the program even tho Medicaid promised that we would have a 6 month grace period. This has not happened to me yet so I can’t verify it.

    So to answer your question, “how does it work?”, one way to answer could be “it doesn’t”. You have to have several passwords, one for your online program where you “manage” info about your clients and your hours worked. (the program is NOT user friendly!) One to take the training online if you didn’t go in person, one for the device. That was just irritating.
    Most of us have had to try to get someone to give us a new temporary password to get into the device, sometimes several temporary passwords, and that involves being on hold as I mentioned above, hoping to have someone answer and help.

    The company did not provide any video of someone holding a device, turning it on, and walking thru the log in and out process slowly to show us exactly how to do it. There’s a password for the device of course-and the key board is so small that you end up spending time correcting the letters/numbers a few times because it seems meant for a 5 year old size fingers. I sent a question via email to ask if you could make the keyboard larger, 3 days ago, on Tuesday, and am still waiting for a reply.

    All the irritations regarding the use of the device are small in comparison with the looming threat of them not paying us if there’s a mistake of some sort in the difficult to understand program that we HAVE to use to “manage” out accounts. There HAS GOT to be a better way.
    I find it impossible to believe this is going to save Medicaid any money, unless they save money by discouraging nurses from working in homecare and thus can shuffle disabled folks into nursing homes – tho that’s incredibly expensive – but who’s idea was this? Who came up with this? and why didn’t anyone let the clients and nurses know it was in the works?

    This will affect me personally by generating stress, frustration, sadness, anger, discouragement – just about any negative emotion you can think of. I can’t quit. I have been with my 3 clients for 20+, 9, and 2 years, and I wouldn’t just up and quit because of this stupid new hoop to jump thru. And God willing I only have about 6 or 7 years left to work, and my husband and I have to work.

    So as long as they pay me, and I can continue to provide skilled, needed, valued by the family care to these folks, I will do it. But I can’t work for free and if they deny me my earned wages I guess we’ll have to look for a “real” job of some kind.

    I am shocked at the poor management of my tax money, the poor service provided by Sandata, the poor management of Medicaid,
    Adding this to our already overwhelming amount of paperwork, continuing education, reviews ect ect, it just seems that this added micro-managing is over the top.
    Why do they believe that every one of us home care workers is a lying, cheating, thief? I’m sure there are some that cheat the system, but find a better, user friendly way to keep tabs.
    Don’t they think there are some that will figure out ways to cheat this system anyway?

    One positive thing I can say that is if you do get through to Sandata, the folks at the help desk are kind, patient, and fairly helpful. They were the times that I got through.

    And it’s not over yet. Perhaps there’s someone in politics in Washington or Ohio with a scrap of common sense left, and this will revised or canceled.
    Laurie G.

  40. Natalie Maanfull says

    In Georgia one of our options is to be self directed. As my daughter’s representative its my responsibility to hire and supervise staff and train them. I don’t need the government telling us what we can and can’t do.We do have rules and follow them. I know what my girls need. Part of their activities are community based and allowed in our program. We code time differently for these activities. Example staff comes to home, provides assistance with hygiene and breakfast, then takes her to dance class. Dance is a group activity and coded differently. We have to pay for that as they being a vendor. Staff leaves for the 2 hours of dance and comes back to pick up, maybe go shopping and returns to my house. So they have to clock in when come to my house, but how do they clock out and in before and after dance class.? And what if they work with all 3 of my girls at different times during a 8 hr shift? We just started this and they are supposed to download an app on their cell phone and it has to have gps enabled.the girls are supposed to put in a code each time staff comes and goes. We were never given that code and I would have to do it because my girls would not be able to. their disability makes that impossible.We weren’t even told the code. There was never any training except a video saying there would be a new system. No instruction on how to use it or how to correct a mistake if you make one. I didn’t even get trained to teach them or see info I used to be able to regarding budget remaining or to fix mistakes if staff made them. Calls to fiscal intermediary lead to being on hold for hours because the employee can’t log in and doesn’t know how to use the system. And frustrating that I as the employer don’t know the answers either. I am supposed to be the boss and know what the girls need and how to provide that and how to submit time to get paid, and to manage their budget. Its frustrating to not have answers. It doesn’t work for us either as the girls spend part of each day out in community. This is where they need the most help. All 3 girls may be in same location or 3 different ones throughout the day. Staff meet them wherever they are or switch girls out in community. We use government money wisely as if it were ours saving time, gas and expense on all. i have been doing this about 10 years and caring for these girls over 35 years and I am 76 years old. I am on the verge of telling them to discontinue our medicaid waiver and doing it myself and when I die or can’t do anymore then what happens? They go to institution which may not accept them or die at home because they can’t feed or care for themselves. Yes maybe that’s what the government wants. They die no medicaid expense and no social security expense.
    I have a college degree and numerous other certificates in areas my girls and others need. I have run my own business for over 20 years but am being treated like I am not smart enough or capable enough to manage or supervise staff. This is an insult and restricts them to being at home and not getting the services they need.
    Every year when we do our service plan they make sure that the services are person centered and directed and must be by law, but if you restrict my girls to being at home then those rights are being violated. They should be allowed to do all the things non-disabled can. Whether is recreational, educational or work related. Just because they need an assistant should not make them less of a person or be restricted. We have fought to many years to have people with disabilities accepted in the community. So now lets hide them at home. Its not going to happen in my home.

  41. I am thinking about dropping patients because of this device. I am seeing a psych patient who literally asks me to leave before the 35 minutes. He is already paranoid and on multiple medications. If a nurse doesn’t come, he doesn’t take his medication. I also take care of my daughter, do it at different times. Please tell me you are making progress.

  42. EVV is designed to eliminate SDCB. Homemaker or care providers often begin or end their day running errands, shopping, pickup up prescriptions, taking trash or recycling to centers, doing laundry at their home or laundromat, etc. Checking in would increase hours and transportation miles.
    I live in a remote area where cell and GPS service is spotty, internet is on and off. EVV presents an unconstitutional violation of privacy issue and undue discrimination of disabled citizens. As an EOR, I encourage my employee to use a low eco-footprint, the closest shopping and pharmacy hub is 20 miles away so driving to my house from their’s first is not eco-friendly or beneficial to the SDCB budget. Hiring, training and retaining a Self-Directed employee often requires months of personal time money of the disabled Employer of Record. The background checks and new hire paperwork alone is discouraging to prospective employees. I just received notification about EVV and I doubt my caregiver of 6 months will agree to continue working under this requirement, it could take months to replace them which has a history of permantally diminishing my health and requiring more Homemaker hours. I personally threw my cell phone away over 12 years ago when GPS wa added as I did not want to live my life on an electronic leash, this was before I was effectively disabled. Dishonest participants and will find a way around EVV while honest and abiding EOR and Employees will be forced out of SDCB, damaging the health and quality of life of disabled people across the county. State and Federal tax $ are better served policing their own employees who are largely paid for not showing up for work or performing any duties what so ever.

  43. I learned one MCO in my daughter’s waiver program has implemented it. It came to my attention through a worker who was alarmed of how this would affect another employee of ours. This first worker is employed by another family using the MCO piloting the program.

    This will foul up how I pay for a worker to take my daughter with autism to and from work. She’s paid for driving her across town. Sometimes she drops off my daughter and another worker assumes care if I’m not there. That means the first worker cannot get paid her full due amount because there’s another worker involved. In the past, the other worker would compensate by showing the full amount of the time she worked (verified by me and a support coordinator,) on the back end so that the first worker could finish her paid route home. I’m just realizing she won’t even get her full paid rate bc it involves going beyond our home.

    What’s additionally disconcerting other than how this affects us, our employees and threatens privacy, is that this was a lobbied deal thrown in to benefit a company. They’re using people with disAbilities and their families as financial commodities.

    I will fight this and have begun on my home turf.

  44. Bonita Houmita says

    This evv is a violation and attack on the disabled community, especially community based , because a person is not institutionalized and seek to live in community doesnt change the dynamic of assistance and hands on care in other words skilled to intermediate level , if people who live in community and home have to be tracked like a hunted dog than so should every one including institutions hospitals clinics day care nursing home etc, to track those whom live at home and the community is prejudicial and bias and a blatant attack on the services and community, perhaps physicians should prove they where face to face as well track them in institutions, track nurses cnas did they truly even see patient care for them , attendants pay is not a livable wage and for level of service they provide they are unpaid and it’s not equal compared to other other health care professions requiring less skill and risk as well as labor , they get no benefits no health care insurance no overtime no paid sick or vacation and no 401 K, some damned surveillance com pany doesnt have a clue of the activities of daily life and lifestyles, the complexity of cordinated care providers in every scenario in life ,its nothing more than someone making money u der the guise of fraud prevention and ensuring care. It’s as simple a John went to sleep on the job. Unless there are cameras on every corner the evv means nothing but more problems to already overburdaned employers of record usually a family member and if own eor another barrier to independence freedom of movement and privacy and bunch in the face that something else is on your way to live life outside of an institution , now they have brought the institution to you on a form of controlled and restricted environment and movement life , with yet the threat fo it or else and I say all attendants should strike and organize all families should speak up No EVV

  45. EVV is a violation of the privacy of people with disabilities who use PCA and home health services???? Do you think this is right and acceptable or they just on about the ones who take advantage of it?

  46. It seems in most cases EVV is only considered whereby a GPS enabled device is used rather than the possibly less invase FVV (Fixed Visitor Verification) solutions that use devices in the customers premises.

  47. I live i Wisconsin and I am a driver for a person with disabilities. I pick him up and take him to work. It varies from week to week the days he works. They want me track me in my car driving him from home ro workand then from work to home. I feel it is I invading my privacy. I worry about hacker’s getting into my personal information. I have nothing but problems with the app. It is a pain to have to log in and then remember to log back in again to finish. There has to be a way to fight this and keep government out of our personal lives. Government already knows enough about us they don’t need to know anymore.