An EVV Exemption means that a person does not need to use EVV because they meet specific criteria set by the state, although they are encouraged to still use EVV as appropriate.

There are two optional EVV exemptions for the MassHealth PCA Program:

1. The Live-In Exemption: Consumers and PCAs who live in the same home permanently are not required to use EVV but can choose to do so since it’s the fastest and easiest way to submit timesheets.
2. The Safety Exemption: Consumers or PCAs are not required to use EVV if using the system would exacerbate an existing serious and active safety issue, they have formally documented this issue, and they have received official intervention for this. For example, some victims of significant and active domestic violence or stalking who may not use a GPS-enabled smart device.

Policy Change – effective January 1, 2026

1. Consumers and PCAs must permanently live at the same physical address.  The Extended Period of Time (120 hours a week or more) no longer qualifies.

   MassHealth will require any PCA seeking the EVV Live-In Exemption to permanently live, work, and sleep at the same home as the Consumer-employer. Including the same apartment, unit, and/or floor.

   Note: All Live-In Exemptions in place prior to January 1, 2026, will remain in effect until the exemption expiration date.

2.  Supporting Documentation Required

   For all new exemption requests and for all exemption renewals, documentation that supports the permanent “Live-In” status must be provided at the time the Live-In Exemption: Annual Attestation Form is submitted, and the address must match the address on this form.

Live-In Exemption Policies

• To qualify for a Live-In Exemption, the PCA must live, work, and sleep at the same home as the Consumer-employer seven days per week, and therefore has no home of his or her own other than the one in which the Consumer-employer lives.
• The home addresses of the Consumer and PCA must match exactly, including same floor/apartment/unit number.
• Exemptions must be requested by submitting a Live-In Exemption: Annual Attestation Form and the required supporting documentation to confirm proof of PCA residency in order to be approved by Tempus FI.
• Tempus FI will not approve incomplete or inaccurate Live-In Exemption submissions.
• If the home addresses on the Live-In Exemption: Annual Attestation Form differ from the home addresses Tempus FI has on file, Tempus FI will automatically update the home addressess on file accordingly.
• If a Consumer/PCA pair do not have an approved exemption, they must use EVV.
• Live-In Exemptions expire one year following their approval date and must be renewed with supporting documentation.
• Live-In Exemption approval also expires when a PCA-Consumer relationship is terminated. If the PCA starts working for the Consumer again, a new exemption request will need to be submitted for review and approval.

How to Request a Live-In Exemption

1. Read the requirements on the Live-In Exemption: Annual Attestation Form and determine if you are eligible for the Live-In Exemption.
2. Print and complete the Live-In Exemption: Annual Attestation Form which is on our website (click HERE to access the form)(haga clic AQUÍ para acceder al formulario). New Consumers and PCAs will receive one in their Welcome Packet. If you did not receive one in the mail and do not have a printer, a form can be requested by contacting Tempus FI or by visiting any Tempus office.
3. Gather one acceptable proof of PCA residency using the list below. Only one is needed.
   • Massachusetts Identification Card (Mass ID) or Driver’s License
   • Most recent tax return
   • Valid Automobile registration
   • Utility bill (Gas, electric, water, phone) dated within the past 30 days
   • Bank account statement dated within the past 30 days
   • Letter or document from a school where the PCA attends
   • Letter or document from a medical provider 
4. Read through the entire form before signing it. Incomplete or incorrect forms will not be processed.
5. Email the completed forms and supporting documentation to: [email protected] Email is preferred and the fastest method of submission. Completed forms and supporting documentation can also be mailed or dropped off in person if needed.

Processing and Communication

• Once the Live-In Exemption: Annual Attestation Form has been approved, a notification from Tempus FI will be sent to both Consumer and PCA within 7 business days. See Tempus Notifications and Automated Messaging for more information on how you may be notified, and how to resubscribe if you previously opted out.
• If there is an error on the form, Tempus FI will contact you by phone within 7 business days.
• Top Reasons Your Form Cannot Be Processed:
  • Incomplete, wrong, or missing information
  • The Consumer/Surrogate or PCA forgot to sign the form or used an electronic generated signature
  • Missing proof of PCA residency
  • Tempus FI will send a reminder letter 45 days before each Consumer/PCA’s Live-In Exemption expires.

The EVV safety exemption applies to Consumers or PCAs who would otherwise be required to use EVV who have concerns about significant and active harassment, domestic violence, stalking or other safety concern that rise to the level of needing official intervention.

The purpose of the EVV safety exemption is to protect the confidentiality of a Consumer’s address in one of the following situations:

1. Active officially authorized or ordered protection, such as a restraining order or similar order issued by a court such as a harassment order, or other authorized protection service or official designation of confidentiality. Note the safety exemption only applies for the period of the order or authorized designation.
2. Active part of the address confidentiality program through the Secretary of the Commonwealth.

If you meet the above requirements and have official documentation to support your request, contact the Tempus FI Safety Liaison at [email protected]

The Safety Exemption will stay in effect until the individual no longer has a safety issue, at which point the Consumer or PCA should contact Tempus FI to begin using EVV. The Safety Exemption does NOT need to be renewed annually at this time.

Once the safety issue no longer applies (e.g., the restraining order expires), the Safety Exemption no longer applies to you, so you must contact Tempus FI, EVV Support to begin using EVV.

Here are two examples to help explain the Safety Exemption:

• Example 1: In this situation, the PCA does qualify for a Safety Exemption…

  A PCA is the victim of active stalking, has received official legal intervention, and cannot use a GPS-enabled smart device. Using GPS services on their smart device could jeopardize the PCA’s safety.

• Example 2: In this situation, the Consumer DOES NOT qualify for the Safety Exemption…

  A Consumer does not like that the EVV system verifies GPS coordinates to meet federal rules. The Consumer does not want their PCA to check in and out of visits. The Consumer and their PCA do not face active domestic violence, stalking, or harassment.