Increasing Efficiency for In-Home Care with Electronic Timesheets
A new electronic timesheet system that the County Department of Social Services implemented in 2017 for the In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program means faster payment for care providers, less staff time spent on paperwork and assistance, and easily-accessible records for care providers and the clients they assist.
The IHSS program is designed to replace costly out-of-home care by providing in-home care to adults or children who are aged, blind, or disabled. Services such as bathing, grooming, cooking, laundry, and ambulation assistance are performed by IHSS providers, who then submit timesheets to the state of California to be paid for providing their services. Providers can be either family members or non-related individuals who attend an orientation and complete a background check prior to becoming eligible to receive payment for providing IHSS services.
To support both the recipients and the providers, Electronic Timesheets were implemented in September 2017, in the County of San Luis Obispo. By the end of 2017, 24% of recipients and 26.5% of providers in the County had enrolled in the electronic timesheets option.
Electronic timesheets allow both the provider and the recipient to complete and approve timesheets online instead of completing and submitting paper timesheets by mail to the State for processing. Participation is voluntary for both the provider and recipient.
The new electronic timesheet system has greatly reduced the amount of time it takes for a provider to receive payment for services. This system has also reduced the amount of time County staff previously spent responding to timesheet questions each month. A State-staffed help desk has been established to answer both provider and recipient questions, reducing the impact on County assistance each month.
IHSS recipients have the option of approving time sheets online or by telephone if they do not have access to a computer or smartphone with Internet access.
The IHSS program is designed to replace costly out-of-home care by providing in-home care to adults or children who are aged, blind, or disabled. Services such as bathing, grooming, cooking, laundry, and ambulation assistance are performed by IHSS providers, who then submit timesheets to the state of California to be paid for providing their services. Providers can be either family members or non-related individuals who attend an orientation and complete a background check prior to becoming eligible to receive payment for providing IHSS services.
To support both the recipients and the providers, Electronic Timesheets were implemented in September 2017, in the County of San Luis Obispo. By the end of 2017, 24% of recipients and 26.5% of providers in the County had enrolled in the electronic timesheets option.
Electronic timesheets allow both the provider and the recipient to complete and approve timesheets online instead of completing and submitting paper timesheets by mail to the State for processing. Participation is voluntary for both the provider and recipient.
The new electronic timesheet system has greatly reduced the amount of time it takes for a provider to receive payment for services. This system has also reduced the amount of time County staff previously spent responding to timesheet questions each month. A State-staffed help desk has been established to answer both provider and recipient questions, reducing the impact on County assistance each month.
IHSS recipients have the option of approving time sheets online or by telephone if they do not have access to a computer or smartphone with Internet access.