EVV Consumer Directed Services Option

As of Jan. 1, 2021, Texas implemented Electronic Visit Verification for all Medicaid personal care services, including services that are managed through the Consumer Directed Services option.

• EVV is a computer-based system that electronically documents and verifies service delivery information, such as date, time, service type and location for certain Medicaid service visits.
• The CDS option is a service delivery option in which a member or Legally Authorized Representative employs and retains a service provider and directs the delivery of a service described in Section 354.4005 of Chapter 354, Subchapter O (relating to Applicability).

The CDS option has three primary roles:

• Financial Management Services Agency: An entity that contracts with Texas HHSC or a managed care organization to provide financial management services, such as payroll, to a CDS employer as described in 40, Texas Administrative Code Chapter 41 (relating to CDS option).
• CDS employer: A member or LAR who chooses to participate in the CDS option. A CDS employer, the member or LAR, is responsible for hiring and retaining a service provider who delivers a service described in Section 354.4005 of Chapter 354, Subchapter O (relating to Applicability).
• CDS employee (service provider): A person who provides a service required to use EVV and who is employed by a CDS employer.

Getting Started with EVV

• Guide for FMSAs, CDS Employers, Designated Representatives and CDS Employees to Get Started with EVV (PDF)
• EVV Training
  • CDS employers are required to complete EVV Policy Training and EVV System Training initially and then once a year after, per the EVV Training policy (Section 4200 of the EVV Policy Handbook).
  • EVV Training Requirements Checklists (PDF)
  • Self-paced EVV Policy Training for CDS employers is available on the HHS Learning Portal. Webinars with question and answer sessions are scheduled throughout the year.
• The responsibility of each role is established in Form 1722, Employer's Selection for Electronic Visit Verification Responsibilities, and will be in the EVV Handbooks.
• CDS employers must ensure CDS employees use the EVV system to clock in and clock out for EVV-required services.
• CDS employers will use the EVV system selected by their Financial Management Services Agency.
• CDS employers can contact their FMSA to assist with questions about EVV requirements.

Complete these steps within the CDS option when starting with EVV:

• Complete Form 1722 - Employer’s Selection for EVV Responsibilities.
• Complete all EVV trainings:
  • EVV System
  • EVV Policy
• Train CDS employees on the clock in and clock out methods.
• The CDS employee must:
  • Clock in at the beginning of service delivery using an approved clock in and clock out method.
  • Clock out at the end of service delivery using an approved clock in and clock out method.
• A CDS employer or FMSA, on behalf of the CDS employer, can complete visit maintenance by:
  • Correcting visit errors from EVV System validations.
  • Adjusting Pay Hours.
  • Adding Reason Codes as required.
• A CDS employer will review and approve time worked:
  • Using the EVV system if selecting Option 1 or Option 2 on Form 1722.
  • Outside of the EVV system if selecting Option 3 on Form 1722.
  • Submit an approval to the FMSA to compare time worked to the budget.