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The Minnesota Department of Health is expanding in-facility testing to add additional test sites for nurse aide candidates. Applications will be accepted until July 11.

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is sponsoring a statewide call related to infection prevention and control for nursing homes and hospitals on August 13 from 3:00 to 4:00 pm. All nursing home and hospital infection prevention and control practitioners and affiliated leadership are encouraged to attend.

Significant changes are coming to Minnesota’s Case Mix Review (CMR) program and Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessment requirements. These updates impact classification notices, assessment procedures, documentation standards, and data submission methods—effective October 1, 2025. Providers are encouraged to prepare early and attend the state-led training webinar for detailed guidance.

On July 1, 2025, a new wave of legislation officially took effect across Minnesota, introducing changes that will impact aging services providers. Staying informed about these laws is critical for providers to remain compliant and responsive to shifting public policy.

On July 14, 2025, the Nursing Home Survey & Certification functionality will launch in iQIES—just one month prior to the PBJ submission deadline. This rollout is expected to result in a substantial influx of new users, potentially leading to longer hold times.

On June 18, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released memo QSO-25-20-NH, announcing several impactful changes to the Nursing Home Care Compare website, set to take effect with the July and October 2025 quarterly data refreshes. These updates are part of CMS’s continuing efforts to enhance transparency and improve the accuracy and utility of performance data for nursing home providers, residents, and families.

Effective July 1, 2025, DHS will implement new residential support services criteria as required under Minn. Stat. §256B.49, subd. 29 and Minn. Stat. §256B.092, subd. 11.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued a formal alert warning Medicare providers of a new phishing scheme involving fraudulent fax requests. Scammers are impersonating CMS and sending deceptive faxes that request medical records and documentation under the guise of an audit. These communications are crafted to appear official and can easily mislead busy healthcare providers into disclosing sensitive patient or organizational information.

On June 17, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued memo QSO-25-19-ALL, introducing a significant shift in how and when survey findings are publicly released for all CMS-certified providers and suppliers, including nursing homes. Under the updated policy, survey results recorded on Form CMS-2567 will be made available to the public within 14 calendar days of receipt by the provider—and, in many cases, immediately upon receipt.

LeadingAge Minnesota is pleased to present its 2025 legislative report. More than a summary, this report is designed to help you lead with insight and intention. It provides a clear-eyed look at the session’s outcomes and a summary of the decisions that will directly impact your organizations and the people you serve.

Health Dimensions Group® (HDG® ), a leading senior living, post-acute, and long-term care management and consulting firm based in Minneapolis, MN, is proud to celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2025, a milestone marking a quarter-century of empowering seniors across the nation to live their best lives.

Orchard Path, a Presbyterian Homes & Services (PHS) senior living community located in Apple Valley, MN, recently broke ground on a new expansion to its existing community. This expansion includes 75 new independent living apartments, as well as a beautiful new community room and an elegant outdoor patio.

Did you know that LeadingAge Minnesota teamed up with Marsh McLennan to provide a new member benefit that brings even more value to your membership? Check out LAMN Perks here.

Each month, Minnesota Housing posts an update for HUD providers called MOR Hot Topics. This publication recaps top items they’ve been finding in Management Occupancy Reviews (MOR) and other relevant updates for providers of HUD housing. 

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) is updating the timeline for completing background studies consent and disclosures. Starting July 14, 2025, the process for study subjects will change significantly to align with federal requirements.

The annual selection for the Quality Improvement Incentive Payment Program (QIIP) for nursing homes is due by July 18^th. The selection for this year has been delayed by technical issues at DHS, but they are now ready to accept QIIP selections through a new process.

Last week HUD reported to LeadingAge National that 90% of late subsidy payments for June have gone out for payment. This means most of LeadingAge's affordable senior housing provider members who were impacted by subsidy delays should either now see the funding or see it scheduled for payment in the system. However, HUD also informed LeadingAge that there are still around 100 contracts that HUD is working to resolve for June. HUD is scheduling those remaining contracts for payment next week. The reason HUD gave for the continued delay is that those HAP subsidy (voucher) submissions were either received late or were higher than usual, prompting additional HUD review. Actions for LeadingAge members to take: If you have not seen any subsidy payments scheduled for June, please let LeadingAge know ASAP. HUD has offered to investigate individual contracts and follow-up with specific information related to the delay. Please send the property name, address, contract number, and point of contact to Juliana Bilowich, LeadingAge's Senior Director of Housing Operations and Policy. If housing providers have not yet received the subsidy for June and need to cover costs in the meantime, you can consider requesting a Reserve for Replacement draw. Reach out to Shelli Bakken at LeadingAge MN for other questions.

On Thursday evening, 6/12, DHS sent a communication regarding NETStudy 2.0 experiencing issues generating and updating Universal Enrollment Identification (UEID) numbers. After reviewing the error, it was determined that the issue impacted some background studies submitted on June 11 and June 12. As of Friday, 6/13, the system is no longer experiencing issues generating and updating UEID numbers for submitted applications.

Instruction for Impacted Background Studies. As a result, the Background Studies Division is granting impacted study subjects an additional one or two days to complete the fingerprinting and photograph requirements. Study subjects should now have received an email from the fingerprint vendor, and providers can view the UEID numbers on the Applications tab of their profile. If a study subject did not receive an email notification from the fingerprint vendor, or if you need technical support, please contact DHS at dhs.netstudy2@state.mn.us or 651-431-6620.

Hosted by LeadingAge, this timely webinar will focus on the latest CMS updates on off-cycle revalidation. Get clear, practical guidance on complex requirements for additional disclosable parties (ADPs), board members, real property ownership, government authorities, and more—before the Aug. 1 deadline. As a reminder, all Medicare-certified nursing homes must complete the first off-cycle revalidation regardless of receiving a letter or not, even if they just did a revalidation last year (before the new requirements were implemented and the new form became available in September) by Aug. 1. If a nursing home does not accept Medicare, only Medicaid and/or private pay, they do not need to submit revalidation at this time. Key topics covered in the webinar will include: An overview of the statutory and regulatory framework, what’s required, and what’s changed; a brief review of new guidance and clarifications on reporting ADPs, board members, real property ownership, and government authorities; and an extended Q&A—giving you a unique opportunity to get practical advice in real time. Learn more and register here.

The Quality Specialist Certificate Program supports individuals who are serving as quality leads within their organizations or have an interest in expanding their knowledge of quality, safety, and performance improvement.

Nelson Care Center by Vivie is proud to announce it has been awarded a prestigious 5-star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), following its most recent survey in March. This top-tier rating reflects the organization’s commitment to delivering exceptional care and support to the people it serves.

With school out and summer break in full swing, it’s the perfect time for Minnesota high schoolers to gain real-world experience—and get rewarded for it. Students entering grades 11 and 12 now have a unique opportunity to earn high school elective credit while working in senior care settings across the state.

The National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) has published an update to the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) diagnosis codes, which will become effective Oct. 1, 2025. This FY 2026 (Oct. 1, 2025, Update) Conversion Table includes the new ICD-10-CM codes and is provided to assist users in data retrieval. For each new code the table shows the effective date and its previously assigned code equivalent in bold. Unless otherwise specified, the code effective date is Oct. 1 of the year listed.

• 2026 Conversion Table (ZIP)
• 2026 Code Descriptions in Tabular Order (ZIP)
• 2026 Addendum (ZIP)
• 2026 Code Tables, Tabular and Index (ZIP) 

More information available here. 

Stay on top of your family's health with Docket, an optional digital tool that provides secure access to your Minnesota Immunization Information Connection (MIIC) immunization records. Easily view your immunization history, check for due or upcoming vaccines, and download printable PDF records for school, travel, or health needs. For other ways to access your MIIC record, visit Find My Immunization Record. MIIC does also have an app to download. To get started, go to your app store and search “Docket”. For more information, visit MIIC FAQ.

CDC's Project Firstline and the American Medical Association (AMA) recently hosted a webinar to share important measles updates and help providers and clinics stay prepared for measles. The recording is now available to watch and share. The webinar featured a panel of CDC experts covering current trends in measles epidemiology, clinical recognition of measles, the importance of vaccination, and infection prevention and control measures to help prepare and respond to measles in healthcare settings. "Continuing Medical Education" is available and can be accessed via the recording page. 

Additional measles resources: 

• Project Firstline's New Measles Micro-Learn: Resource for leading a quick, on-the-job training about recognizing measles and preventing spread. 
• CDC's Be Ready for Measles Toolkit: Tools and communication materials to make it easier for jurisdictions to communicate with the public, clinicians, and partners before and during a measles outbreak. 
• AMA Measles Resources: Resources and information from AMA for clinicians and public health professionals.

June District Meetings help make sense of what’s next with President and CEO Kari Thurlow on what’s shaping our sector. The meetings kicked off this week and continue next week.

February may seem very far away, but planning is already happening for the 2026 Institute & Expo, Feb. 11-12 (in-person) and March 3-5 (virtual).

The Quality Specialist Certificate Program begins August 20, and is expected to sell out. Register now to secure your seat.

When renewing your Assisted Living Facility license you may find the MDH Renewal Checklist helpful in preparing documents to submit with the renewal application.

The State of Minnesota recently announced that staff from the Minnesota Office of the Legislative Auditor (OLA) will be accompanying Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) surveyors during certain licensing surveys.