Colorado Delays EVV, But Not Dual Implementation

Posted: Aug. 9, 2018

Colorado's Department of Health Care Policy & Financing will delay the mandate by one year for Electronic Visit Verification, but the system will still go live in a soft launch on Jan. 1, 2019, and the state's earlier decision to implement for Personal Care and Home Health Services at the same time will not be affected. 

An EVV delay bill, H.R. 6042, recently was signed into law. The law delays the penalty of reduced Federal matching funds for EVV required services from Jan. 1, 2019 until Jan. 1, 2020.

"Colorado understands the Federal delay and intends to utilize additional time for implementation," the state said in a press release. "Accordingly, the Department will not mandate EVV on January 1, 2019."

"EVV remains a priority of the Department and we will continue to work diligently towards a successful system launch," the state added.

Additionally:

  • The Department is still scheduled to implement the Sandata Santrax solution Jan. 1, 2019.
  • Implementing the system as scheduled will allow additional time for EVV users to pilot the new solution before the mandate is effective January 1, 2020.
  • The Department is working on a delayed EVV timeline and will inform stakeholders of details over the next four to six weeks.
  • It is the Department’s intention to use extra time to continue stakeholder engagement, extend the pilot program, and implement a soft roll-out.
  • The Department currently hosts a monthly EVV stakeholder meeting and four sub- committees: System, Participant Direction, Privacy, and Training/Communications. These groups will continue to meet and work towards successful EVV implementation.
  • The Department encourages stakeholders to participate in these meetings.

The Home Care Association of Colorado is its members' partner in EVV implementation. Look to your association to continue to advocate for a responsible and easy-to-use system that works for all members. HCAC was instrumental in persuading the state to adopt an "open" model for EVV services as opposed to a "closed," or single vendor, model embraced by other states. 

HCAC is also making recordings of the working group and subcommittee meetings available to our members. You can view the latest meeting schedule here (you must be signed in as a member to view). 

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