New records system designed to improve care for MaineCare members

July 1, 2019

Many MaineCare members receive personal care and other health services in their homes, based on their individual needs. MaineCare is now preparing to roll out a new system known as Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) to allow better tracking of these services.

EVV is a federally mandated telephone- and computer-based system that electronically verifies visits by providers and documents the precise time that services begin and end. The purpose is to ensure that visits reported to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services are taking place, that patients are receiving the care they require, and that MaineCare is being accurately billed.

The Department will begin implementing the EVV initiative with a select group of providers in the near future. States must require EVV for personal care services services by January 1, 2020 and for home health care services by January 1, 2023.

The benefits of EVV technology include the ability to:

  • Improve patient care and outcomes
  • Reduce missed visits and late starts
  • Reduce paper documentation traditionally associated with visit verification
  • Increase productivity and efficiency
  • Reduce costs associated with the use of multiple software products

The Department is developing an open EVV system, which will allow health providers to use their own EVV systems to connect with MaineCare's claims processing system or use the State's EVV system. The EVV application will be accessible on smart devices (phones and tablets), or through Interactive Voice Response (IVR).

To learn more about this effort, please visit our EVV webpage.

Updated July 19, 2019