June 26, 2024

When the 2025 New York State Budget passed in April, sweeping changes for home care providers came along with it, specifically for the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP).

Under NY’s CDPAP individuals in need of care can select a caregiver of their choice. Oftentimes, this means a close family member or friends. These caregivers are paid for their services via the program.

Changes in the 2025 state budget include the designation of one statewide fiscal intermediary (FI) to oversee the program.  Currently, some of NY’s home-based care providers serve as FIs.

The state has eluded to at least one subcontracted FI per rate-setting region or four within NYS. Who the FI will be has yet to be determined.

While the state’s goals aim to reduce perceived fraud, waste, and abuse within the program, many in the home care space feel that these changes make an already complex system even more difficult to navigate.

However daunting these changes may seem for CDPAP and the home care industry, one thing is for sure. The importance of technology will continue to become an essential factor for home care stakeholders. Software solutions that streamline operations while ensuring security and compliance with Medicaid regulations will become even more vital.

Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) is just one example of how software is changing the landscape of home and community-based care. With the implementation of an EVV solution, agencies are able to ensure that caregivers provide care when and where they are supposed to, enhancing accountability and transparency.

Implementation and use of an EVV is mandatory for CDPAP under the 21 Century Cares Act, yet many agencies continue to struggle with issues like non-compliant data entry, device connectivity in areas where internet service is not reliable, and compatibility of existing agency software.

With careful selection and implementation, the benefits of EVV for CDPAP can be significant.

• Streamlined documentation: EVV automates and simplifies documentation of caregiver visits, reducing back-office administrative burdens, eliminating paper timesheets, and resulting in faster billing and payment.
  
  
• Fraud Prevention & Accountability: EVV verifies the start and end times of each visit.
• Transparent Care Coordination: Real-time data, providing location of services, services performed, and the caregivers performing the service, enables better care coordination.
  
  
• Simplified Billing & Reimbursement: Agencies are able to submit claims more efficiently, leading to faster reimbursement.
  
  
• Facilitated Communication: With EVV, caregivers are able to record their services performed, including any changes noted they see. Concerns can be quickly shared with the appropriate team members, enhancing the quality of care.

As stricter guidelines and oversight of CDPAP go into effect, it will become even more essential for home care agencies to embrace technology and leverage its use to streamline efficiencies.