The world of home care is a pretty complex one. Because you’re in charge of taking care of another human being, you have to follow a good deal of rules and regulations. Some of those rules are in place to protect the client and their families, while some of those rules are in place to protect you, the caregiver.
Some of the rules that are in place to protect both parties, such as the use of an EVV system for home care. An EVV system is an important thing for any caregiver to have, but it can be tricky to choose the right one. With so many different systems on the market, it’s important to know what you’re looking for before you make a purchase.
If only there was some kind of buyer’s guide. Oh wait, this article is going to serve as a buyer’s guide. Keep in mind, this is not going to be an exhaustive list of every EVV system on the market.
By that we mean that we won’t be able to give you a specific recommendation, rather we’ll be taking a look at the characteristics of a good EVV system and some of the different features that are available.
After reading this article, you should have a pretty good idea of what to look for when shopping for an EVV system. And, hopefully, you’ll be able to find the perfect fit for your home care business.
What is an EVV System and Why do People Use Them?
If you’re unfamiliar with what an EVV system is, let’s break it down for you. EVV stands for electronic visit verification. It’s a system that helps to track the visits made by caregivers to their clients.
The system itself is usually a mobile app that the caregiver uses to clock in and out of each visit. Some systems also include additional features like GPS tracking, which can be used to verify that the caregiver was actually at the client’s home during their scheduled time.
EVV systems are important because they help ensure that caregivers are providing the care they’re supposed to be providing. They also help families feel more secure, knowing that there is a way to verify when their loved one was last seen by their caregiver.
There are a lot of really good reasons why people use EVV systems:
- To comply with state and federal regulations:
- In some states, the use of an EVV system is required by law. It is also federally required for Medicaid personal care services.
- For quality assurance:
- EVV systems can help to ensure that caregivers are actually providing the care they’re supposed to be providing. This is important for both the clients and their families.
- To improve communication:
- EVV systems can help improve communication between caregivers, families, and case managers. This is because everyone has access to the same information about each visit.
- To avoid billing issues:
- EVV systems can help avoid billing issues by ensuring that all visits are properly documented and accounted for.
- To track employee productivity:
- EVV systems can also be used to track employee productivity. This is helpful for managers who want to make sure their employees are completing their visits in a timely manner and not taking too long of breaks in-between visits.
These are some of the most common reasons, but your company might have some different reasons for using an EVV system. Whatever the reasons are, it’s important to make sure that you choose a system that will meet your needs. With so many different systems on the market, it can be tricky to know where to start. But don’t worry, we’re here to help.
Consider Your Needs
Now that we’ve gone over some of the reasons why people use EVV systems, let’s talk about how to choose the right one for your home care business. The first step is to consider your needs. What are you looking for in an EVV system?
Do you need something that’s simple and easy to use? Do you need something with a lot of features? Do you need something that’s affordable? These are all important things to consider when choosing an EVV system.
Below are some specific needs that we consider important and should be taken into consideration:
- The type of clients you have:
- If you have clients who are Medicaid recipients, then you’ll need an EVV system that complies with Medicaid requirements. This usually means choosing a system with GPS tracking capabilities.
- The size of your business:
- If you have a large home care business, then you’ll need an EVV system that can handle a lot of users and data. On the other hand, if your business is small, then you might not need all the bells and whistles offered by more robust systems. A simple system might suffice in this case.
- Your budget:
- Obviously, your budget is going to play a big role in your decision. There are EVV systems available at a variety of price points. You’ll need to decide how much you’re willing to spend on an EVV system before you start shopping around.
- The type of hardware you want it to run on:
- You can find EVV that runs on a variety of different types of hardware, including smartphones, tablets, and computer systems. You’ll need to decide what type of hardware you want your employees to use before you can narrow down your choices.
Considering carefully what your needs are will help you to choose an EVV system that’s a good fit for your home care business. Keep in mind, you might not find a system that perfectly meets all of your needs. But, if you know what’s most important to you, then it will be easier to find a system that’s close enough.
How to Compare Your Options
Now, there’s a good chance that you’re going to find more than one piece of homecare software that’s going to appear to be a good fit. What should you do in that situation? The best thing you can do is compare your options.
Look at the different features each system offers and decide which ones are most important to you. Some systems might have more features than others. But, that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re better. In fact, sometimes the simpler systems are actually easier to use.
Below are some specific features that you might want to compare:
- Ease of use:
- How easy is it for caregivers to clock in and out? Is the interface user-friendly? These are important things to consider when choosing an EVV system.
- GPS tracking:
- As we mentioned before, GPS tracking is required for Medicaid personal care services in some states. If this is a requirement in your state, then you’ll need to make sure the EVV system you choose has GPS tracking capabilities.
- Data reporting:
- Does the system provide data reports? If so, how easy is it to generate those reports? Can those reports be customized? These are all things you’ll want to consider when choosing an EVV system.
Your home care business and your closest competitor might need different things from an EVV system. As a result, you might find that one system is a better fit for your business than another. That’s why it’s important to compare your options and choose the system that offers the features that are most important to you.
It might also be a good idea to read reviews online before making your final decision. You can find reviews of EVV systems on a variety of different websites. Just do a quick search and you should be able to find what you’re looking for.
Reading reviews can be helpful because it gives you a chance to see how other people feel about the system. If there are a lot of negative reviews, then that’s probably not a system you want to use for your business. But, if the reviews are mostly positive, then it’s worth considering that system as an option.
The bottom line is that there is no “perfect” EVV system. The best you can do is find a system that’s a good fit for your home care business. By taking the time to compare your options and read reviews, you’ll be more likely to find a system that meets your needs.
Once you find one that works for your company you can move forward with the peace of mind knowing that you’ve chosen a system that’s going to help your business run more efficiently.
Understanding the Tools of the Trade
There are trade-specific tools no matter what industry you work in. If you’re a doctor, you need to know how to use a stethoscope. If you’re a mechanic, you need to know how to use a wrench.
If you’re in the home care industry, then you need to know how to use an EVV system. An EVV system is an important tool for any caregiver. It helps ensure that caregivers are providing the care they’re supposed to be providing and it also helps families feel more secure knowing that there is a way to verify when their loved one was last seen by their caregiver.
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