All News
New U.S. Senate Bill Includes Liability Protections
On July 28, 2020 by Kari Thurlow
A Republican proposal introduced in the U.S. Senate this week, the HEALS Act (Health, Economic Assistance, Liability Protection, and Schools Act) includes measures that address liability protections.
COVID-19 Web Page: Your One-Stop Resource Library
On July 28, 2020 by Jodi Boyne
As we develop new tools and resources to help you combat COVID-19 and comply with changing state and federal guidance, we remind you to visit our COVID-19 web page where you will find a wide variety of resources.
MDH Provides Update on the Transition to Assisted Living Licensure
On July 28, 2020 by Bobbie Guidry
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) recently provided an update on the status of Assisted Living Licensure in Minnesota that reviewed licensure and the transition process to the new regulatory structure. It also included an overview of licensure, fees and the ability for excluded settings to continue to provide customized living services pending federal waiver approval.
Answer the Call: LeadingAge Board and Lifetime Honorary Member Nominations Open
On July 28, 2020 by Gayle Kvenvold
The 2020 LeadingAge Minnesota Nominating Committee, chaired by Mark Anderson, CEO of Knute Nelson in Alexandria, has announced that nominations are open for board members and officers of the LeadingAge Minnesota Board of Directors and for individuals eligible to elected as Lifetime Honorary Members.
Aug. 3 Webinar: Alternative Adult Day Services
On July 28, 2020 by Heidi Simpson
Join us Aug. 3 to hear three new approaches to delivering alternative adult day services. Alternative adult day services became a necessity during this pandemic and the services are currently approved by the Minnesota Department of Human Services through June 2021.
Living a Life of Impact: KSTP’s Joe Schmit to Keynote August Connect Conference
On July 28, 2020 by Heidi Simpson
Joe Schmit, long-time sportscaster for KSTP-TV, is the featured keynote speaker at the 2020 Virtual Connect Conference on Aug. 19. His presentation, Living an Impactful Life: Building Positive Connections, delivers a powerful message about our need for human connections and making an impact on others.
2020 Virtual Annual Meeting & Leadership Forum: Better Together
On July 28, 2020 by Heidi Simpson
Our beloved fall tradition is going 100% virtual this year due to COVID-19. Join us the mornings of Sept. 16, 17 and 18 for the ultimate in conference convenience, flexibility and value. Registration is open, with 40% lower fee than last year.
MDH Modifies Home Care and Assisted Living Licensing, Survey and Enforcement
On July 28, 2020 by Bobbie Guidry
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has modified certain requirements for home care licensing, survey and enforcement activities. The modifications are allowed based on Emergency Executive Order 20-32 issued on April 8.
Gov. Walz Provides Progress Report on COVID-19 5-Point Plan for Long-Term Care
On July 22, 2020 by Jodi Boyne
Governor Walz on Tuesday said Minnesota continues to make progress on its work to limit and stop the spread of COVID-19 in long-term care facilities. (Read the Release; Watch the Briefing).
Connect Conference Early Bird Registration Deadline is Friday
On July 22, 2020 by Heidi Simpson
Our Connect Conference for senior housing, assisted living and home care is Aug. 19 - 20, and it’s packed full of information, updates and networking. Early bird registration ends this Friday, July 24 – register now for lower pricing! See more details on pricing and CEUS that have never been offered before!
LeadingAge MN Foundation Awards COVID-19 Grants to 75 Sites in Rural Minnesota
On July 22, 2020 by Terri Foley
The LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation (LAMF) last week awarded $660,000 in COVID-19 grants to fund staff support and virtual adult day services.
Nursing Homes Need CLIA Waiver to Receive COVID Testing Equipment
On July 22, 2020 by Jonathan Lips
The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) last week announced plans to supply rapid, point-of-care testing instruments and tests to nursing homes throughout the country to aid in the fight against COVID-19.
COVID-19 Resource Round-Up: Essential Caregiver and Adult Day Re-Opening
On July 22, 2020 by Jodi Boyne
In this week’s Resource Round-Up, we feature three new resources released last week: Essential Caregivers, Visitation Guidance Decision-Making Grid, and Adult Day Re-Opening
“Stay Calm & Communicate” - Jodi Boyne Leaving LeadingAge MN to Return to Public Service
On July 22, 2020 by Jodi Boyne
After nearly eight outstanding years as our Vice President of Public Relations, Jodi Boyne is leaving LeadingAge Minnesota for an exciting new opportunity. She is returning to the public sector — where she worked for 16 years before joining us — to become the Director of Public Affairs for the Minnesota Judicial Branch effective Aug. 10.
CARES Act Evictions Moratorium Ends; Minnesota Moratorium Continues with Modifications
On July 22, 2020 by Bobbie Guidry
While the national prohibition on nonpayment evictions will lift July 25, there are still have ongoing restrictions in Minnesota. Governor Walz last week issued Executive Orders 20-79, which rescinded Executive Orders 20-14 and 20-73 and issued new guidance on eviction suspensions during the duration of the peacetime emergency. Both the rescission and the new order are effective Aug. 4.
DHS Releases Testing Reimbursement Information for Care Centers
On July 22, 2020 by Jeff Bostic
The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) will soon post information about reimbursement of COVID-19 testing costs for employees to the nursing facility portal. The new information includes a memo outlining the reimbursement policy and an updated “Form A” to submit for reimbursement of costs related to the Covid-19 state emergency, which now includes employee testing costs.
Governor’s Council on Age-Friendly MN Seeks Public Comment
On July 15, 2020 by Jodi Boyne
The Governor’s Council on an Age-Friendly Minnesota has developed draft recommendations and is seeking input from the public. The comment period is open through July 31.
Blue Ribbon Commission Issues Draft Report on HHS Cost Savings
On July 15, 2020 by Jodi Boyne
The Blue Ribbon Commission created by the Minnesota Legislature in 2019 to identify recommendations that would save $100 million in state health and human services expenditures over the coming biennium is soliciting public and stakeholder input on its draft final report.
Annual Meeting is Virtual, Sept. 16-18
On July 15, 2020 by Heidi Simpson
Watch this space in the coming weeks for full conference details for the 2020 Virtual Annual Meeting. Enjoy the high-quality speakers and timely sessions you have come to expect from this annual leadership conference.
DHS Hot Topics and Coaching Room featured at Billing University
On July 15, 2020 by Heidi Simpson
Make plans to attend the Aug. 12-13 virtual Billing University for Care Centers. This is the go-to event for billing office staff to stay up to date on the latest developments in payments for long-term care services.
Resource Round-Up: Essential Family Caregivers
On July 15, 2020 by Jodi Boyne
In this week’s COVID-19 Resource Round-Up, we feature new tools and resources to help you understand, design and implement the new Essential Caregiver designation in your community.
HUD Announces Service Coordinator CARES Act Allocation
On July 15, 2020 by Bobbie Guidry
The U.S. Housing & Urban Development Department (HUD) released a memo last week outlining plans to allocate the $10 million in Service Coordinator funding approved by the CARES Act at the end of March. The funds will support approximately 1,600 properties with grant-funded Service Coordinator programs. The agency said they plan to issue guidance for budget-funded Service Coordination and other COVID-related expenses soon.
LeadingAge Regional HUD Monthly Calls Start July 16
On July 15, 2020 by Bobbie Guidry
A monthly call is now available for HUD provider members to join others in our region for news and discussion. Minnesota joins with LeadingAge Illinois, Missouri, and Indiana for these meetings which are scheduled for the third Thursday of each month at noon.
Reminder: Advance Beneficiary Notice for Part B Services Has Been Renewed
On July 15, 2020 by Jonathan Lips
The Advance Beneficiary Notice of Noncoverage (ABN), Form CMS-R-131, and instructions have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for renewal. The use of the renewed form with the expiration date of 06/30/2023 will be mandatory on Aug. 31, 2020.
Supporting Older Adults in Extraordinary Times
On July 15, 2020 by Bobbie Guidry
The Metropolitan Area Agency on Aging (MAAA) is pleased to announce a new funding opportunity for services to address the impact of COVID-19 and the civil unrest in Minneapolis, St. Paul, and surrounding communities. Services must meet specifications of one of the following titles of the Older Americans Act:
MDH Releases Essential Caregiver Guidance
On July 15, 2020 by Jodi Boyne
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) last week released new guidance that allows the designation of an Essential Caregiver for residents of nursing homes and assisted living. This guidance represents the next interim step in encouraging safe and responsible visitation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
CMS Extends Deadlines for HCBS Settings Rule
On July 15, 2020 by Jodi Boyne
On July 14, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued new guidance for states with respect to the home and community-based services (HCBS) Settings Rule. Citing the COVID-19 pandemic, CMS is extending key deadlines for compliance with the Settings Rule, including the final compliance deadline that is now March 17, 2023.
Care Center Occupancy Takes Big Hit from COVID-19
On July 15, 2020 by Jeff Bostic
The Long-Term Care Imperative has recently finished a special analysis of occupancy data for the first half of 2020. As anticipated, the results show that the spread of COVID-19 had a major negative impact on care center occupancy in the second quarter. However, the impact varied by region and did not hit every provider at all.
2020 Connect Conference Features “Hot Topic” Programs
On July 8, 2020 by Heidi Simpson
This year’s Connect Conference (Aug. 19-20) features a line-up of timely topics for assisted living, senior housing and home care providers. Join us – virtually! – to hear about the latest developments in the roll out of assisted living licensure, the path to becoming a licensed assisted living director, and how COVID-19 is changing our field.
Resource Round-Up: Whole House Testing Decision Guide
On July 8, 2020 by Jodi Boyne
As we continue to push for a clear, cogent testing strategy and reimbursement process from the State of Minnesota, we know you are faced with many decisions when it comes testing residents and staff. Our new COVID-19 “Whole House” Testing Decision Guide is a workflow process designed to help you consider what approach is best for your setting. It includes links to key resources to guide your decision and implement your plan. Resources include: