Featured News
LeadingAge MN COVID-19 HUDDLE Moves to Friday
On March 25, 2020 by Libbie Chapuran
Recognizing the number of update calls you participate in mid-week, we have moved our COVID-19 HUDDLE to Fridays.
CMS Will Limit and Prioritize Survey Activity for Next Three Weeks
On March 25, 2020 by Jonathan Lips
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has directed state agencies to suspend standard surveys for long term care facilities (nursing homes), hospitals, home health agencies, ICFs, and hospices during a 3-week prioritization period from March 20–April 10.
State Works to Inventory and Increase Availability of PPE
On March 25, 2020 by Jonathan Lips
In an effort to ensure that Minnesota health care facilities have the resources needed to treat patients, Governor Walz this week issued Executive Order 20-16 which requires any Minnesota business, nonprofit or non-hospital health care facility – excluding nursing homes – to submit an inventory of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and donate what they are not using for critical health care or essential services. This process should result in more PPE becoming available.
State News
MDH Cancels March 26 Assisted Living Licensure Advisory Committee Meeting
On March 25, 2020 by Bobbie Guidry
Due to COVID-19, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has cancelled the Assisted Living Licensure Rules Advisory Committee meeting scheduled for March 26.
BENHA Provides Guidance on Continuing Education During COVID-19
On March 25, 2020 by Bobbie Guidry
While the license renewal cycle for nursing home administrators historically activates in May, the Minnesota Board of Examiners for Nursing Home Administrators (BENHA) recognizes that these are unprecedented times. In a news release distributed this week, BENHA provided the following counsel regarding continuing education or clock hours to renew your license:
Links to Governor’s Executive Orders
On March 25, 2020 by Kari Thurlow
In response to COVID-19, Governor Tim Walz has released a series of Executive Orders. We have provided summaries of these via our daily update emails. Below you will find links to the Executive Orders that affect you and your staff:
Federal News
Delayed Implementation of Updated MDS
On March 25, 2020 by Julie Apold
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is delaying the Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 v1.18.1 release, which had been scheduled for Oct. 1, 2020, in response to stakeholder concerns.
HUD Issues Updated Rent Increase Guidance for PRAC Owners
On March 25, 2020 by Bobbie Guidry
As of March 18, HUD has restarted routine processing and approval of Section 202 PRAC rent adjustments to increase Reserve for Replacement deposits. There have been several updates to field office procedures for reviewing Capital Needs Assessments (CNAs) and determining how capital needs should be reflected in annual PRAC project operating rents.
CMS Announces Reporting Relief for QRP and VBP
On March 25, 2020 by Julie Apold
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced it is implementing exceptions and extensions for upcoming measure reporting and data submission deadlines for several quality reporting programs.
Notable News
National Health Plan Association Indicates Plans Will Follow CMS SNF Policies During Emergency
On March 25, 2020 by Jeff Bostic
The American Association of Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), which include many plans that offer Medicare Advantage plans to Minnesota consumers, recently announced that they are going to be matching the recent “blanket” CMS waivers on the three day stay and benefit period requirements.
COVID-19: Resource Round-Up
On March 17, 2020 by Jodi Boyne
We know guidance, recommendations and resources on COVID-19 are coming at you from a multitude of directions and that you are being flooded with minute-by-minute news updates on this virus. What follows is a quick recap of information you may find helpful this week as you combat COVID-19:
The Key to Serving Middle-Income Older Adults? Partnerships
On March 10, 2020 by Jodi Boyne
It’s a statistic that can’t be ignored: 54% of the 14.4 million middle-income older adults in 2029 will lack the financial resources to pay for seniors housing and care. We know it will take public and private collaboration to address this looming crisis. We also know there are steps providers should be taking now to be best positioned for these partnerships.
Member News
#ThankACaregiver: Face Aging MN Launches Caregiver Appreciation Campaign
On March 25, 2020 by Jodi Boyne
Professional caregivers provide critical support to those most vulnerable to complications from COVID-19 – our seniors. They deserve our gratitude. Face Aging MN has launched a new #ThankACaregiver campaign to encourage Minnesotans to share a message of appreciation with a senior caregiver via a web portal.
Participate in our VIRTUAL Day at the Capitol
On March 17, 2020 by Libbie Chapuran
Due to COVID-19, we have canceled all in-person activities for our annual Day at the Capitol on March 19 and are instead encouraging you to connect with your lawmakers virtually. To help facilitate your advocacy, we have scheduled a 1-hour webinar on Thursday, March 19 at 9 a.m.
Adult Day: COVID-19 Communication Tools
On March 17, 2020 by Roni Falck
At this time, the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) has not mandated closure for adult day centers. It is up to each provider to determine whether it will continue to stay open or temporarily close. The following is guidance and communications tools you can use:
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