Caregiver’s EVV Frequently Asked Qestions:

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1) What are my options for using EVV with Alpine?

Option 1 – Telephony (Santrax): You can continue to use paper time sheets and clock-in/out via a client’s registered phone (landline or mobile) by dialing one of Alpine’s toll-free numbers: (844) 621-7839 or (855) 651-1134. You will need to enter your SantraxID, which is the last 6 digits of your social security number.

Option 2 – Mobile App (SMC): If you have a smartphone, you can download the Sandata Mobile Connect App and clock-in/out via your smartphone. Your clients, directions, schedules, and plan of care tasks will all be displayed in the app. When you are done with providing services, just click off the performed tasks, and pass your smartphone to the client to capture his /her signature (if applicable) before you clock-out. Paper time sheets are no longer required under this option.  Your login name is your eMail address registered with Alpine. You will be sent a temporary password, once you let us know that you want to use the mobile app.
 
 
2) I live with my client. Do I need to use EVV? What about other clients I provide services to?

No, you do not need to use EVV for a client you live with. However, you will need to submit a Caregiver Attestation Form to Alpine, along with current documents showing shared residency, in order for us to be able to turn EVV off. This applies only to the client you live with. If you provide services to other clients, you will need to use EVV for those clients.
 
 
3) I understand that going forward the clock in/out will determine my hours worked for payroll. What if I forgot to clock in and/or out?

If you noticed that you forgot to clock-in while still at the client, please clock-in and make a note of when you actually began services. A late clock-in is always better than no clock-in at all.
In case you completely forgot to clock-in/out, please let Alpine know as soon as possible, so we can verify with the client and confirm your hours. Agencies will only have limited capability to manually fix EVV data, including clock-in/out data (so-called manual edits). Such manual edits are subject to the State’s thresholds. This means that providers will only be able to fix a certain number of e.g. missed clock-ins. Caregivers who consistently miss clocking in / out will (eventually) not be able to get paid, as the agency will not be able to bill for unverified visits / services.  
 
 
4) What is a missed visit notification?

Alpine will get notified, if you are running more than 15 min late for a client visit. This will give us the ability to call and remind you to clock-in (in case you just forgot), reassure the client (in case you are running late) or make alternative arrangements with the client (in case you could not make it at all). However, this does not change your responsibility to notify us ahead of time, if you cannot make it.
 
 
5) Does EVV capture my GPS coordinates?
 
If you are using telephony, no GPS locations are captured. However, the call needs to be made from a phone number registered to the client in Alpine’s EVV system. Otherwise, it will generate an exception in the system, which will need to be investigated.
 
If you are using the Mobile App, your GPS coordinates will be captured at clock-in/out only (i.e. no GPS tracking in between).  If your clock-in / out is more than approximately 2 miles from the client’s home, the system will produce a GPS out of range warning that the agency will need to investigate. It is recommended that you let us know, if you are e.g. starting (or ending) your visit with a trip to the grocery store (that is more than 2 miles away from the client’s home) or meeting your client at another community destination, e.g. a doctor’s office or pharmacy, etc.


6) My client has a program with travel time --> UPDATE: Regretfully, the State of Colorado has eliminated all remaining programs that paid for travel time effective 1/1/21.
For the time being, enter your expected travel time (to and from the client), if applicable, as a visit note during clock-out. --> UPDATE: There is no need to record travel time on visit notes or time sheets anymore. Alpine will of course continue to pay for Department of Labor travel time (i.e. for travel between clients, subject to certain restrictions). This type of travel time is recorded automatically by the system. 


7) Sandata Mobile Connect (SMC) Questions:

a) Is the Sandata Mobile App safe?
Sandata Mobile Connect (SMC) is password-protected and fully HIPAA compliant. 

b) What if I have no reception / cell phone coverage at the time of clock-in/out?
The app works both in connected and disconnected more, ensuring 100% visit verification compliance, regardless of cell coverage. If you clock-in/out in disconnected mode (i.e. when you have no cell coverage), the app will transmit the visit data after you get back within cell coverage or Wi-Fi.

c) How much memory does the app take up on my smartphone?
Sandata's app takes up approximately 13MB (Android version) or 25MB (IOS version) of space on your smartphone. This is less than 0.5% of available smartphone storage space (based on a 8GB memory phone).

d) How much data does the app use?
While data usage for the initial download ranges from 0.65% - 1.25%, based on a 2GB monthly data plan, we would recommend to download the app (and any updates to it) when connected to Wi-Fi (if possible) to avoid any data usage. The amount of data that is send and received during each visit verification is negligible, just 130KB per clock-in and 170KB per clock-out (with electronic signature). There is no other data transfer outside of this! So, for example, if a caregiver averages two client visits per day (clocking-in/out each time), 5 days a week, this would translate into 80 data transfers per month. At an average rate of approximately 150KB per transfer, this equates to 0.012GB or less than one percent (0.6%) usage, based on a 2GB monthly plan