Annual Attestation Required for EVV Exemption
Under the new policy, an approved EVV exemption for a live-in caregiver is only valid for one year at a time. In other words, the state wants confirmation each year that you still qualify as a live-in caregiver. The attestation form is a simple declaration that you and the member you care for share the same residence, usually backed up by one or two documents (for example, a driver’s license or utility bill showing the shared address). According to the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF), provider agencies must review and update this information annually, and any changes in the living situation must be documented immediately. This means if nothing changes, you just renew the form once a year – but if something does change (for example, your address), you’ll need to submit a new attestation at that time rather than waiting for the annual date.
What If I Don’t Submit or Renew the Attestation?
Failing to submit your attestation – or forgetting to renew it on time each year – could lead to serious issues with Medicaid reimbursement. If an up-to-date exemption form isn’t on file, then you are no longer considered exempt from EVV, meaning you would be required to clock in and out with EVV for every visit going forward. Visits provided without the required EVV records can trigger billing problems; Medicaid may deny those claims for services that weren’t properly verified. In short, letting your attestation lapse could result in delayed or lost payments for the care you’ve provided. We know no one wants to deal with that hassle or uncertainty, so it’s crucial to stay on top of the yearly renewal to protect your reimbursement.
Address Changes Require a New Attestation
Another important point: whenever there’s a change in your living arrangement or address, you must submit an updated attestation form. Colorado’s rules specify that any changes affecting a caregiver’s live-in status must be documented right away. Practically, this means if either you or the member you care for moves to a new residence (even if you move together to a new home), you need to fill out a new EVV exemption form reflecting the new address. Keeping your information current ensures that your exemption remains valid – otherwise, an outdated address on file could invalidate your live-in status and cause the same EVV/reimbursement issues mentioned above. Please let us know immediately if your address changes so we can help you update the paperwork promptly.
Why Colorado Requires Annual Attestation (The State’s Rationale)
The rationale behind the annual attestation comes down to compliance and program integrity. Federal law (the 21st Century Cures Act) requires all states, including Colorado, to implement EVV for certain home care services to ensure that billed services were actually delivered. While that law permits states to exempt live-in caregivers from EVV, Colorado must keep records proving who qualifies as a live-in caregiver. By having you attest each year, the state is making sure that your situation still meets the exemption criteria. This helps prevent any billing errors or misuse of the EVV exemption — for example, it avoids situations where someone might mistakenly claim the exemption without truly meeting the “live-in” requirements. According to HCPF, the goal is to strengthen oversight of the program while still maintaining flexibility for live-in caregivers. In other words, the state wants to protect the Medicaid program from potential fraud or mistakes, but they also recognize the importance of the live-in caregiver exemption and want to keep it available for families like yours. Requiring a yearly attestation is their way of balancing those obligations.
We Hear Your Concerns
We understand that many caregivers find this new process frustrating. You’re dedicating your time and energy to caring for your family member or client, and having to fill out an extra form every year (or whenever you move) may feel burdensome. You might be thinking, “I already proved I live with my client – why do I have to keep re-submitting this?” These feelings are completely understandable. It’s natural to feel a bit of paperwork fatigue, especially when you’re balancing caregiving duties with everyday life. Please know that we hear you and respect the effort it takes to comply with these rules. Our goal is to help make it as painless as possible and to keep you informed about why these steps are being required.
Our Commitment to Help You Through It
Please remember, you are not on your own in this. PASCO is here to support you through the attestation process so that your focus can remain on caregiving. Here are some ways we’re helping:
- Reminder Alerts: We keep track of when your attestation is due for renewal. Expect to hear from us well before your form expires – we will send out reminders (around 60 days and 30 days in advance, as well as on the due date) so it doesn’t catch you by surprise. You’ll also get follow-ups if, for some reason, the deadline passes without renewal.
- Help with Paperwork: If you have any questions about how to fill out the attestation form or what documents you need to provide as proof, our staff will gladly assist. We can walk you through the form step-by-step, ensure it’s filled out correctly, and help submit it to the proper entity (your provider agency or state, as applicable).
- Address Change Updates: Should your address or living situation change, let us know right away. We’ll guide you through submitting a new attestation, so your exemption continues without interruption. This includes helping gather any needed proof of address and making sure the update is logged with HCPF.
Ongoing Support: We understand that policies and forms can be confusing. Whether it’s now or in the future, you can always reach out to us with concerns about EVV, attestation, or any other aspect of your caregiving responsibilities. Our team stays up-to-date with HCPF policy changes and will keep you informed, so you never have to navigate these changes alone.
Our goal is to ensure there are no disruptions in the care you deliver or in the compensation you receive. By working together on these requirements, we can keep everything running smoothly and make sure you continue to get reimbursed for your important work without any hiccups.
Moving Forward Together
Changes like this attestation requirement can be daunting, but we are confident that – together – we can meet this challenge with minimal hassle. Our priority is to ensure you can continue providing seamless, compassionate care without worrying about bureaucratic roadblocks. We appreciate your dedication and patience in adapting to these new rules. By staying proactive with the annual attestation and keeping open communication with us, you can rest assured that your EVV exemption will remain intact and your Medicaid reimbursements on track. Thank you for all that you do as caregivers. Our agency is here to stand by you and make sure that complying with these regulations is as straightforward and supportive as possible, so you can focus on what really matters: providing care to your loved ones and clients.
Sources: Colorado HCPF EVV Policy Updates and Guidelines – Live-In Caregiver Attestation Requirements and EVV Exemption Memos
