All News
Capital Needs Assessment e-Tool Requirement for PRACs Suspended
On August 14, 2018 by Bobbie Guidry
The U.S. Housing & Urban Development Department (HUD) has suspended use of the CNA e-Tool for PRAC budgeting purposes. Until further notice, PRAC projects needing to submit a rent increase should follow previous guidance in HUD Handbook 4350.1, Chapter 7: Processing Budgeted Rent Increases.
Care Centers: Get Ready for the New Payment Model - PDPM Webinar is Aug. 22
On August 14, 2018 by Heidi Simpson
LeadingAge Minnesota members can now register for a free webinar for that will help care centers get ready for the new payment model that will replace RUGs. Patient-Driven Payment Model (PDPM) for SNFs is Set to Go: Now What? takes place Wednesday, Aug. 22 from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
OHFC Clears Backlog of Elder and Vulnerable Adult Maltreatment Complaints
On August 14, 2018 by Jodi Boyne
The Office of Health Facility Complaints (OHFC) has cleared the backlog of maltreatment cases for elders, vulnerable adults and their families from 2017 and continues to successfully complete initial reviews for all reports within two days.
Now Available: 2018 Salary and Benefits Report for Nursing Homes
On August 14, 2018 by Jodi Boyne
Registered Nurse hourly rates increased by 3.1 percent while Licensed Practical Nurse rates increased by 2.43 percent, according to the 2018-2019 Nursing Home Salary and Benefits Report published by Hospital & Healthcare Compensation in cooperation with LeadingAge.
Update: MDH Sending Survey Results Via Email to State Licensed Only Home Care Providers
On August 14, 2018 by Bobbie Guidry
Effective July 1, 2018, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Home Care and Assisted Living Program discontinued mailing paper copies of survey results to state licensed only home care providers and began emailing the results to the agent on record. This change does not apply to Medicare certified home health agencies.
Service Coordinator Resource Guide and Online Learning Tool Now Available
On August 14, 2018 by Bobbie Guidry
The U.S. Housing & Urban Development Department (HUD) has released three new Service Coordination resources and tools:
Seeking Member-at-Large for 2019 Nominating Committee
On August 14, 2018 by Nancy Garrett
Do you want to help identify and recruit future LeadingAge Minnesota board members? If you are a LeadingAge Minnesota voting member and are interested in standing for election to next year’s Nominating Committee, contact Nancy Garrett no later than Friday, Aug. 31.
Annual Meeting Early Bird Deadline is Friday; Madden’s Sold Out
On August 14, 2018 by Heidi Simpson
The 2018 Annual Meeting & Leadership Forum is Sept. 18-21 at Madden’s in Brainerd and the Early Bird Registration Deadline is one week from today – Friday, Aug. 17. Register here before next Friday and save $50 on your full conference registration fee.
Minnesota Seeks Final Approval of Statewide Transition Plan for HCBS Settings Rule
On August 14, 2018 by Bobbie Guidry
The Minnesota Department of Human Services will be updating its Statewide Transition Plan for the Home and Community-Based Settings (HCBS) Rule and putting it out for public comment on Sept. 10.
Nominations Sought for Board Trustee of the Year
On August 14, 2018 by Barbara Landeen
The Stars Among Us Award program is open for the 2019 recognition awards and we want to know about the amazing board members that help lead your organization.
Assisted Living Certificate Program Begins Sept. 26 – Limited Space Still Available
On August 14, 2018 by Heidi Simpson
LeadingAge Minnesota’s Assisted Living Certificate Program begins Sept. 26 and space is running out.
New Guidance: Fair Housing Act and Americans with Disabilities Act
On August 14, 2018 by Bobbie Guidry
LeadingAge has provided new guidance that summarizes the Fair Housing Act (FHA) and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The guidance should help members answer the following questions:
FAQ: Who Needs “Mandatory Consultation” through the Senior Linkage Line and Why?
On August 14, 2018 by Bobbie Guidry
We have received several questions this week about the Mandatory Consultation process that is required to be conducted prior to executing a lease in a Housing with Services Registered Setting. The questions primarily focus on who is required to go through Mandatory Consultation and a better understanding of why this is required.
Care Centers: How to Prepare for the New Patient-Driven Payment Model
On August 7, 2018 by Guest Contributor
In finalizing its proposal to implement the new Patient-Driven Payment Model (PDPM) effective Oct. 1, 2019, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is sending a strong signal - it is time for change. In a new blog post, Brian Ellsworth, Vice President of Public Policy & Payment Transformation at Health Dimensions Group, shares what has changed, what is staying the same and what providers can do to prepare.
Timely and Accurate PBJ Data is More Important Than Ever
On August 7, 2018 by Jonathan Lips
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) reminds all nursing facilities that the deadline for submission of Payroll Based Journal (PBJ) data for the period April 1 –June 30, 2018, is Aug. 14. Timely and accurate submission of data is especially important, because CMS now uses PBJ data to calculate staffing measures in Nursing Home Compare and the Five-Star Quality Rating System.
77 Jobs Posted on AgingServicesJobs.org
On August 7, 2018 by Jenna Kellerman
The new AgingServicesJobs.Org platform launched two months ago, with 77 jobs posted to date! If you’d like to try posting a job today, email Jenna Kellerman – the first 10 members to email Jenna will get a free promo code to post their next open position.
Cultural Consultants Help Providers Reach Out to Diverse Communities
On August 7, 2018 by Bobbie Guidry
Cultural Consultants is a service supported by the Minnesota Board on Aging that provides cultural expertise and professional services to providers across Minnesota. The consultants have been specially trained in recognizing and understanding signs of memory loss as well as offering resources to support family, friends and neighbors who are caregiving.
Special Open Door Forum to Feature Federal Opioid Strategies and Resources
On August 7, 2018 by Jonathan Lips
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will host a Special Open Door Forum on Wednesday, Aug. 15 to educate opioid prescribers on federal resources and strategies to combat the opioid epidemic.
RUSH Act Seeks to Improve Opportunities for Telehealth Services
On August 7, 2018 by Jodi Boyne
New bipartisan legislation has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives that would allow qualified physician group practices to furnish telehealth services in skilled nursing facilities under the Medicare program.
DHS Offering Webinar with Preliminary Results of Adult Day Study
On August 7, 2018 by Jeff Bostic
The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) is working on a couple of studies funded by legislation passed in 2017 that authorized the beginning of a process for updating Elderly Waiver rates. One of those studies has a focus on Adult Day Services, including how it is licensed and paid for in other states.
DHS Conducting Two Provider Surveys as Part of HCBS Transportation Study
On August 7, 2018 by Jeff Bostic
The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) is contracting with Navigant Consulting for a review of the rates and availability of transportation services for Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver clients. That study has two works groups advising DHS and Navigant, one looking at rates and one looking at access.
Last Call: Nominations for Board of Directors, Honorary Lifetime Memberships Due Friday
On August 7, 2018 by Nancy Garrett
Don’t wait! Nominations for the LeadingAge Minnesota Board of Directors and Honorary Lifetime Memberships are due by Friday, Aug. 10.
Just Culture – Then and Now is Opening Keynote at 2018 MAPS Conference
On August 7, 2018 by Julie Apold
Registration is being accepted for the 2018 Minnesota Alliance for Patient Safety (MAPS) conference, Reigniting our Passion for Safe Care, that takes place Oct. 25 and 26 at the Minneapolis Marriott Northwest in Brooklyn Park. Early bird pricing is available until Sept. 11.
BHS Names Jeri Reinhardt as Vice President Clinical Services and Performance Excellence
On August 7, 2018 by Jodi Boyne
The Benedictine Health System (BHS) named Jerilyn “Jeri” Reinhardt, RN, to Vice President Clinical Services and Performance Excellence.
Who’s Your Jack? Tell Us About Your Volunteer of the Year – Nominations Open
On August 7, 2018 by Barbara Landeen
The Stars Among Us Award program is open for the 2019 recognition awards and we want to know, Who’s YOUR Jack?
Minnesota State Mankato and Ecumen Team Up to Enhance Nursing Care for Minnesota Seniors
On August 7, 2018 by Jodi Boyne
Minnesota State University, Mankato and Ecumen are teaming up to help address the state’s acute shortage of nurses working in long-term geriatric care.
Become a Senior Living Works Ambassador
On August 7, 2018 by Guest Contributor
More than 350 senior living professionals have signed on as Senior Living Works Ambassadors! Will you be next?
Care Center Regulatory Updates Available from MDH and CMS
On August 7, 2018 by Jonathan Lips
The Minnesota Department of Health has posted the recording and transcript of its July 16 statewide regulatory conference call for care centers.
Important Town Hall Conversation at Annual Meeting, Early Bird Deadline Approaching
On August 7, 2018 by Heidi Simpson
The 2018 Annual Meeting & Leadership Forum is Sept. 18-21 at Madden’s in Brainerd. You won't want to miss an incredible opportunity to engage in a thought-provoking conversation on national public policy at the LeadingAge Town Hall.
Care Centers Will See Funding Increase and New Case-Mix System
On August 1, 2018 by Jeff Bostic
Care centers are set to receive an increase in funding as a result of the final payment and policy rule released today by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The rule also contains a new case-mix model, the Patient-Driven Payment Model (PDPM), that will determine reimbursement levels based on condition and care needs rather than the amount of care provided.