All News
Spending Caps Deal Allows Funding Bills to Move
On August 6, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
The White House and Congress reached a deal to raise the federal budget caps for fiscal years 2020 and 2021.
Aug. 27 Call: Understand Your SNF VBP Program Performance Score Report
On August 6, 2019 by Jeff Bostic
Do you understand the Value-Based Purchasing Performance Score Card? Are you interested in results from payment year one? Join the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for a call on Tuesday, Aug. 27 from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. for a high-level summary of the program and a review of the FY2019 program year.
New Guidance on Heightened Scrutiny Review of Newly-Constructed Presumptively Institutional Settings
On August 6, 2019 by Bobbie Guidry
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has provided clarifications to questions about the heightened scrutiny process for newly-constructed presumptively institutional settings. The information can be found in the Informational Bulletin issued last week.
State to Award Local and Regional Dementia Grants
On August 6, 2019 by Jonathan Lips
The Minnesota Board on Aging has issued a Request for Proposals for local and regional projects that will increase awareness of Alzheimer’s disease, increase the rate of cognitive testing, promote the benefits of early diagnosis, or connect caregivers of persons with dementia to education and resources.
HCBS Educational Scholarship for 2020 Now Open
On August 6, 2019 by Jenna Kellerman
The Minnesota Department of Health is soliciting grant proposals from providers of adult day care, home care, and housing with services to provide educational scholarships for their employees. Find the HCBS Program detail, application, and forms here.
Foundation Golf Tournament Raises More Than $60,000
On August 6, 2019 by Jenny Prosser
With workforce pressures reaching unprecedented levels, the 2019 LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation Golf Fundraiser helped raise funds for our next round of caregiver scholarships. The golf event was held on July 30 at Prestwick Golf Club in Woodbury. View foursome photos sponsored by CBS Construction Services.
Checking In on PDPM: Checklists, Milestones and Outcomes
On August 6, 2019 by Jeff Bostic
It’s happening in less than 60 days. The new Patient Driven Payment Model (PDPM) goes into effect on Oct. 1. Are you prepared for this major change in how you document and are reimbursed for care?
MDH Releases New Bulletin on Assisted Living and Home Care Protections
On August 6, 2019 by Bobbie Guidry
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has issued Information Bulletin 19-03 informing the public about the home care and assisted living protections strengthened by the Minnesota Legislature as part of the Elder Care and Vulnernable Adult Protection Act of 2019.
Recognition Challenge: Make Zero Harm Possible
On August 6, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
Recognition is the greatest motivator! We are launching a Recognition Challenge as part of our Safe Care for Seniors program. Between now and Sept. 15, we challenge you to nominate individuals and/or staff teams in your setting for a Make Zero Harm Possible award.
CMS Posts Final Rule on PDPM Implementation
On July 31, 2019 by Jeff Bostic
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) earlier this week released the final Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Payment Rule, which is the last step before implementation of the new Patient-Driven Payment Model (PDPM) that will take effect on Oct. 1. In addition to transitioning to the new case mix system, the Oct. 1 rates also include an inflation update of 2.4%. The rule makes few changes from the proposed rule that come out earlier this year, but it does finalize a definition of group therapy that allows up to six clients to be part of a treatment group as well as updating some requirements around ICD-10 coding that is a major driver of rates under PDPM.
Which Setting has Higher Long Term Care Insurance Claims?
On July 30, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
As first reported by McKnight’s Senior Living, the 2019 Milliman Long Term Care Insurance Survey shows average individual long-term care insurance claim amounts for care in assisted living settings are much higher than claim amounts for home care or care in nursing homes.
2020 Board of Directors, Lifetime Honorary Memberships: Nominations Open
On July 30, 2019 by Gayle Kvenvold
Nominations are now open for two elected Director-at-Large positions on the LeadingAge Minnesota Board of Directors. The Nominating Committee is also accepting nominations for Lifetime Honorary Memberships.
Coming in September: Infection Preventionist Certificate Program
On July 30, 2019 by Sue Boyd
Four months remain before the Phase 3 of the Requirements of Participation take effect, and Nov. 28 is approaching faster than some of us would like! If you have not implemented a plan to meet regulatory compliance with F882: Infection Prevention and Control, now is the time to identify or hire someone to assume responsibilities for the vital Infection Preventionist position and get them the specialized training they need. LeadingAge MN is here to help through our new Certificate Program, Effectiveness & Core Components for the Infection Preventionist.
Dementia Care Certificate Program Now Open for Registration
On July 30, 2019 by Heidi Simpson
To better assist home care agency, Housing with Services/Assisted Living and care center staff meet Minnesota’s current dementia care training requirements, LeadingAge MN is offering a four-part certificate program series beginning in August and running through October 2019. There are two live webinars and one two-day workshop that focus on the critical must know topics outlined in legislation.
Accepting Feedback from Staff is Important
On July 30, 2019 by Jenna Kellerman
Whether you hang a whiteboard in a break room, create an online forum on your organization’s intranet, or establish a staff-focused Facebook page, consider giving staff a modern forum to express their ideas, suggestions and opinions.
NSPIRE Voluntary Demonstration Open Registration Announced
On July 30, 2019 by Bobbie Guidry
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced that property owners/agents and Public Housing Authorities across the country can pre-register one or more of their properties to be considered for selection in the demonstration to develop and test a new format for conducting the physical inspection of HUD-subsidized properties.
Affordable Housing: 202 PRAC Reserve Levels Frozen, FY19 Renewals Very Tight
On July 30, 2019 by Bobbie Guidry
LeadingAge has been informed by HUD officials that 202 PRAC funding availability is very tight right now and will remain so for the remainder of FY19.
LeadingAge Supports Bill to Expand Access to International Healthcare Workers
On July 30, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
LeadingAge is supporting a bill that would nearly double the number of employment visas granted annually and increase access to qualified health care workers.
Proposed SNAP Rule Could Harm Food Access for Older Adults
On July 30, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
A proposed rule announced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on July 23 would change eligibility rules for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and lower the number of older adults eligible for SNAP benefits.
Interim Manager to Lead DHS Inspector General Office
On July 30, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
Acting Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) Commissioner Pam Wheelock tnamed Bob Jacobson to manage the Office of Inspector General on an interim basis.
New Law Bans E-Cigarette and Vapes in Most Indoor Workplaces and Public Places
On July 30, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
Starting Aug. 1, laws protecting Minnesotans from exposure to deadly secondhand smoke will expand to include the use of e-cigarettes and vapes.
Home Care Matters Provider Webinar Scheduled for Aug. 7
On July 30, 2019 by Sue Boyd
Home Care Matters, a provider webinar sponsored by the Home Care and Assisted Living Program at the Minnesota Department of Health, takes place on Wednesday, Aug. 7 from 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
New Resource on Documentation Requirements for Waiver Services
On July 30, 2019 by Jeff Bostic
The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) has released a short document that summarizes new statutory requirements around documentation for waiver services.
CMS Publishes Final Rule on Arbitration Agreements
On July 30, 2019 by Jonathan Lips
The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published a final rule on arbitration agreements that nursing facilities must meet to participate in the Medicare and Medicaid programs.
BENHA Establishes Rule Development Team for Licensed Assisted Living Directors
On July 30, 2019 by Bobbie Guidry
The Minnesota Board of Examiners for Nursing Home Administrators (BENHA) has developed a Rules Development Team, which held its first meeting last week, to facilitate rulemaking for the licensure of Assisted Living Directors.
First Pieces of Elder Care Protection Take Effect Aug. 1
On July 24, 2019 by Kari Thurlow
Several elements of the new Elder Care and Vulnerable Adult Protection Act of 2019 take effect on Aug. 1, including retaliation protections, new fines, a maltreatment compensation fund, revisions to the Home Care Bill of Rights and the new Health Services Executive license. The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has not released guidance on many of these provisions at this time.
Connect Conference features Collaboration Success Stories from Member Organizations and Partners
On July 24, 2019 by Heidi Simpson
The August 20-21 Connect Conference features success stories of collaborations, ideas and innovation from several LeadingAge Minnesota member communities. Project case studies include:
Strategic Insight, Business Intelligence and Warm Camaraderie at 2019 Annual Meeting
On July 24, 2019 by Heidi Simpson
The 2019 Annual Meeting & Leadership Forum, Sept. 17-20 at Madden’s in Brainerd, features much-anticipated keynotes, forums and breakout sessions that inform strategic planning for member organizations.
Last Chance: Register for the FINAL Safe Care for Seniors Workshop
On July 24, 2019 by Julie Apold
You’ve taken the Safe Care for Seniors pledge, but are you ready to take the next step? Time is running out to register for the Aug. 5 Safe Care for Seniors workshop.
Student Scholarship Applications to LeadingAge National Conference Due Aug. 14
On July 24, 2019 by Adam Suomala
For the third year, our partners at LeadingAge National have arranged a powerful three days of programming specific for student leaders Oct. 27–30 in San Diego at their Annual Meeting, as well as scholarships to help defray expenses. This program is targeting students enrolled full-time in undergraduate or graduate programs at accredited colleges or universities (ages 18 and up), with a goal to expose and connect students to opportunities in the field of aging services.