“I just want to help people—not fill out forms.” It’s a common complaint from caregivers who are pushing back against electronic visit verification (EVV). The question is, how do you show your caregivers that clocking in and out with EVV is in their best interest?
Despite what many articles on caregiver compliance suggest, it’s not just about rewarding them with gift cards and praise (even if there’s a place for that). Instead, the best way to boost your EVV compliance may be by explaining the reason behind this requirement. When people understand the why behind a task they are asked to complete, they are going to be more inclined to do it enthusiastically. Here, we explore how you can do that and turn your caregivers from noncompliant to EVV advocates.
Some caregivers feel it takes up too much time, others may not understand how to do it, and others may even feel micromanaged by EVV requirements. Whatever their reason, caregiver noncompliance can have major consequences for your business. Not only has EVV been a federal requirement for homecare agencies since 2016 (with a state implementation deadline of January 1, 2020 for all Medicaid-funded PCS), but states and MCOs have since set increasingly stringent guardrails. For example, Pennsylvania currently has an EVV compliance requirement of 85%, Florida is at 85% (or higher based on MCO policies), Kentucky requires 100%, and Tennessee requires agencies to reach a 90% EVV compliance rate.
Agencies that don’t meet their state and payer compliance rates risk fines and loss of funding. Beyond this, accurate EVV improves member care. It ensures agencies are aware of any missed or late visits and helps reduce billing and payroll errors. The app caregivers use for EVV clock ins can also be used to communicate important updates about the client’s health status. These requirements and numerous benefits are why it’s so critical that agencies get caregivers on board.
To encourage EVV compliance, it helps to shift the narrative from a burdensome task to a meaningful part of delivering care. You can do this by framing compliance as protective, not punitive.
Caregivers chose this career because they want to make a difference. According to the HHAeXchange Homecare Insights Survey, 60% of caregivers said their biggest motivator is making a positive impact on their clients’ health and well-being. That’s the message to lean into. When caregivers understand that EVV helps ensure clients receive the care they need—on time and without errors—it no longer feels like just another checkbox. It becomes part of the care they already take pride in delivering.
Compliance also plays a direct role in protecting both the agency and the caregiver. EVV creates a verifiable record of care that can safeguard against any claims of fraud or abuse. As states and MCOs raise the bar on EVV compliance, maintaining accurate records becomes a layer of protection that supports job security and organizational stability.
By helping caregivers see how EVV helps the people they care for, the agency they work for, and their own professional integrity, you can move the mindset from resistance to responsibility—and even pride.
Once caregivers understand the why behind EVV, the next step is helping them feel supported in the how. Here are a few strategies to create buy-in and make compliance feel less like a hurdle:
Before you ask for compliance, make sure your caregivers feel confident using the system. Teaching caregivers how to use EVV should be step one. And the more hands-on the training, the better. Many of the agencies we work with find success by going out into the field to walk caregivers through the process in real-world scenarios. This not only builds confidence but also shows caregivers you’re invested in helping them succeed.
Remind caregivers that EVV isn’t just about timekeeping—it’s about accountability and accuracy. The information they log helps prevent billing and payroll mistakes and ensures that clients aren’t missing vital care. When caregivers see that compliance leads to fewer errors and better outcomes, it feels more purposeful.
Let your team know you understand their stress and that your goal isn’t to add pressure, but to support them with tools and training that make the process easier.
A clunky system is a guaranteed barrier. If your EVV tool isn’t intuitive, it’s going to be tough to get buy-in. Solutions like the HHAeXchange mobile app are designed to be user-friendly, giving caregivers what they need at their fingertips—from clock-ins to client notes to shift updates.
Recognition and incentives like gift cards or shoutouts can reinforce positive behavior—but don’t lead with perks alone. Explain how EVV benefits everyone, then reward those who consistently follow through. If you are going to use incentives, we highly recommend rewards and recognition software that integrate with your EVV platform.
Give caregivers space to ask questions and share frustrations. Whether through surveys, team meetings, or one-on-one conversations, a feedback loop shows that compliance isn’t a one-way street—it’s a shared goal.
EVV compliance doesn’t have to be a battleground. When caregivers understand why EVV matters and feel genuinely supported in how to meet expectations, compliance transforms from a mandate into a shared mission. When caregivers feel empowered, heard, and part of the process, compliance stops feeling like surveillance and starts feeling like support.
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