All the Arizona home care and personal service providers out there, get ready for a significant update regarding Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) in the state. The Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS), Arizona’s state Medicaid agency, has announced a major change that will reshape how Arizona Medicaid EVV data is collected and managed.
Mark your calendars: October 1, 2025, is the date when AHCCCS is bringing its EVV services in-house.
This transition means AHCCCS will build and manage its own EVV aggregator and will not renew its contract with Sandata, the current EVV vendor and aggregator, after September 30, 2025.
Why the change? It’s designed to streamline oversight, enhance long-term sustainability, and offer you, the providers, greater flexibility in choosing your EVV vendor.
This move shifts Arizona’s electronic visit verification from a hybrid EVV model to an open model.
So, what does this actually mean for your agency? Let’s break it down:
The impact of this transition depends on your current situation.
Great news! You likely won’t need to make major changes to your day-to-day operations. Your agency can continue using your preferred EVV vendor.
The primary difference is that your vendor will now send EVV data directly to AHCCCS instead of routing it through Sandata. AHCCCS plans to maintain the same technical specifications for data submissions, aiming for a smooth transition.
However, a crucial step for your vendor is to complete a testing process with AHCCCS to ensure successful data transmission. More details on this testing are expected soon.
This is where you’ll need to take action. Once the current contract expires on September 30, 2025, your agency must either contract directly with Sandata or choose a different AHCCCS-compliant EVV vendor.
Importantly, you will be responsible for the associated costs of whichever vendor you choose. While only a small number of providers reportedly use Sandata as their primary EVV vendor currently, it’s critical for those who do to act quickly to avoid potential disruptions in claim payments.
Beyond the aggregator change, EVV 2.0 introduces specific compliance updates:
All Personal Care and Home Health providers must contract with an AHCCCS-compliant EVV vendor and implement EVV data collection. A major requirement is ensuring your EVV vendor completes testing with AHCCCS.
AHCCCS will introduce technical updates, and vendors must comply and test once timelines are established.
You are now required to identify direct care workers who are classified as live-in caregivers. For agencies using Sandata, the deadline to submit this data was March 31, 2025.
Agencies using alternate EVV vendors will also be required to comply, though AHCCCS has yet to establish their specific deadline.
Technical updates are coming related to scheduling and visit maintenance compliance.
AHCCCS is introducing an incentive program! Between October 1, 2025, and September 30, 2026, providers who meet pre-established performance metrics for auto-verified visits may qualify for a percentage increase in payments for EVV services.
A visit is considered auto-verified when all required elements are captured accurately, without manual adjustments.
With the October 1, 2025 deadline approaching, AHCCCS is providing information early to help you prepare. Here are some proactive steps your agency should take:
1. Evaluate your current EVV vendor
Assess if your current vendor still meets your needs and AHCCCS compliance requirements under the new open model.
2. Secure new contracts (if using Sandata)
If you rely on Sandata, start researching and selecting a new AHCCCS-compliant vendor or prepare to contract directly with Sandata.
3. Budget accordingly
Prepare for potential new costs if you need to switch vendors or contract directly with Sandata.
4. Ensure vendor testing is complete
Confirm that your chosen EVV vendor has successfully completed or is prepared to complete the required testing with AHCCCS.
5. Stay informed
Regularly visit the AHCCCS EVV webpage for the latest official updates, detailed timelines, resources, and webinar schedules. Participate in informational webinars offered by AHCCCS to ask questions and get critical updates.
Finding the right EVV vendor: CareSmartz360’s got your back
When choosing an EVV partner, it’s vital to pick a vendor that has already demonstrated full AHCCCS compliance through the Alternate Provider Review Tool.
CareSmartz360 checks every box on AHCCCS’s checklist—ensuring your agency can confidently answer “Yes” to questions about:
This shift to an in-house AHCCCS EVV aggregator on October 1, 2025, represents a significant change in Arizona’s EVV landscape. By bringing the aggregator in-house and moving to an open model, AHCCCS aims for greater sustainability, oversight, and provider choice.
Preparing in advance is key to ensuring compliance and a seamless transition for your agency and the clients you serve. Evaluate your current setup, explore compliant vendor options, and stay closely connected with AHCCCS for incoming technical specifications and testing details.
By taking proactive steps now, you can navigate these evolving Arizona electronic visit verification requirements successfully and ensure your electronic visit verification system remains compliant and efficient.
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