Home Health Care Visits Verified With GPS Technology

Here at RMT, we’ve published many articles about the usefulness of GPS tracking when it comes to business. Delivery services track their shipments and employers sometimes track their employees to make sure everything and everyone is where they’re being paid to be. One of the latest industries to benefit from GPS technology is the home health care industry. In order to combat health care fraud and to make transactions and services more transparent, some health care agencies have turned to this versatile technology. 

The program is called VisitVerify and was developed by Kinnser Software, based in Austin, Texas. VisitVerify can be purchased as an add-on to Kinnser’s medical records system, which is used by around 12 percent of the home health care market. Optimal is one of the first nationwide health care firms to use the software. “There’s just so much health care fraud out there right now, and one of the most common kinds is where patients are billed for services they never receive,” explained Sharon Blattert, a nurse practitioner for Optimal Care.

The GPS location tracking confirms that the nurses and other health care professionals are where they’re supposed to be, and the software keeps a record of the services received and the patient’s confirmation. The software is compatible with any device that has touch-screen capabilities. “The thing that’s different [about VisitVerify] is that the signature screen is built into the software that clinician takes to the patient’s home,” Chip Scheider said, Kinnser’s creative director. “They’re filling out the information using a computer device, and they’re able to click on an icon that opens a signature screen. The patient can use either their finger or a stylus [electronic pen] to sign.”

“We did research on different software and this one really fit us well,” said Karen Bartz, director of strategic planning at Optimal Care. “If you want to know what was done, the information is right there. And now we have e-signature, so the consent is done right on our iPad and it goes directly to Medicare.”

Home Health Care Visits Verified With GPS Technology