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Released last week, the nation’s largest nursing home salary report shows a continued upward trend for nursing home staff salaries.

Knute Nelson, based in Alexandria, and Walker Methodist, based in Minnetonka, have entered into an agreement to merge the two companies into one. This merger is set to be finalized on Jan. 1, 2024.

On Friday, Aug. 28, the House and Senate Human Services Committees held a joint informational hearing to receive progress updates from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) regarding several 2023 issues, including the development of recommendations for smaller providers of assisted living services. 

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) issued a second Frequently Asked Questions document to help address some of the questions regarding the Aug. 1 payments sent to all care centers.

The 2023 LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation Golf Tournament helped raise funds for the next round of caregiver scholarships. Thanks to golfers, sponsors, volunteers, and ticket sales, the event raised over $62,000 before expenses.

Several new laws became effective before or on Aug. 1 and impact senior care services in the state. While you can review more information about these changes and more in the 2023 Legislative Report, we have provided links to Advantage articles for topics previously discussed for easy reference and review.

Earlier this week, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published the annual final rule that updates the Prospective Payment System (PPS) rates for care centers. The rule calls for an update in the rates starting Oct. 1 that averages 4%.

The Navigating the Care Center Moratorium Exceptions Process webinar will help care center staff evaluate whether to apply for a moratorium exception and provide an understanding of the various options for implementing property projects and the potential rate impacts of those options.

LeadingAge Minnesota is excited to welcome Jessica Lacher as the new Director of Membership. With an impressive background spanning 25 years of service in various roles within provider organizations, Jessica's expertise and dedication make her a perfect fit for this position.

The Cleaning Robotics Technology Playbook is the fourth in a series of workforce technology solution playbooks designed to assist you in identifying technology solutions to help address the workforce crisis.

Marco is a valued partner with LeadingAge Minnesota Solutions offering our members a one-stop shop for planning, design, installation, and support for technology solutions, printing, security, voice, video, and data.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has begun notifying Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs) that were determined to be out of compliance with the Quality Reporting Program (QRP) requirements for the Calendar Year 2022.

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS), through the Nursing Facility Rates and Policy (NFRP) Division and the State Civil Monetary Penalties (CMP) Initiative, is seeking proposals from qualified Minnesota Medicaid-Certified Nursing Facilities interested in implementing the ResoLute Program.

Enhanced benchmarking reports have been added to the LeadingAge Minnesota Data Portal to help you track your data over time and benchmark your performance with other member organizations.

Temporary nurse aides hired or who worked under the 1135 waiver have until Sept. 11 to be added to the Minnesota Nursing Assistant Registry. LeadingAge Minnesota is here to help providers with this transition process.

Stacy Rogers has joined LeadingAge Minnesota as the Vice President LeadingAge Minnesota Solutions.

Second quarter data submission for all LeadingAge Minnesota Data Portal applications is due by July 31. Participating in the Data Portal provides access to important benchmarking data and the opportunity to track your performance against benchmarks for the following applications:

Until July 31, eligible providers with nurse aide training programs can apply to become a test site for nurse aide candidates.

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) has been receiving many questions about the Aug. 1 payments that will be sent to all care centers.

With over 12,000 open nursing assistant positions around the state, we know there is no single solution to our current workforce challenges. That’s why, together with our dedicated members, LeadingAge Minnesota is doing all we can to repair the nurse aide pipeline.

During a markup help by the House Subcommittee on Transportation and Housing and Urban Development (THUD) on July 12, lawmakers advanced a Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funding proposal for Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) that would enact serious cuts to affordable housing programs.

This summer, we’ll regularly highlight some of the most significant issues summarized in the 2023 Legislative Report, a benefit of membership in LeadingAge Minnesota. This week’s topic: the impacts of legalized cannabis on aging services providers.

The Minnesota Board of Pharmacy reminds long-term care providers who utilize medication carts their provider pharmacist or pharmacy is not permitted under board rules to provide goods or services for “below the cost of the service or good.”

Requirements for residents with dementia residing in a facility licensed as Assisted Living with Dementia Care include that each person is to be evaluated for their particular interests and specialized needs. Based on the evaluation, service planning should include an individualized activity plan.

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has released a new waiver request form for nursing homes to complete after losing the ability to operate a nurse aide training program for two years.

Join us on July 19 and 20 for the virtual conference Billing Basics for Care Centers to learn the fundamentals and skills to accurately bill for services provided and capture appropriate reimbursement.

In a few short weeks, Lyngblomsten will open its second community - Lyngblomsten at Lino Lakes. The community opens after years of planning and 20 months of construction. The first residents of the main building will move in mid-July.

This message from President and CEO Kari Thurlow was initially sent to members on July 3

During the first month of summer, I had the honor of connecting with many members in person, first at District Meetings and then at our recent Board of Directors strategic planning retreat.

An updated version of the Dignity Act (H.R. 3359), a large package of immigration reforms introduced in the House by Representatives Maria Salazar (R-FL) and Veronica Escobar (D-TX) on May 23 includes language focused on fixing the current immigration system that aligns with LeadingAge’s current policy priorities.

The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry's (DLI) Labor Standards Division assists workers and employers in understanding their workplace rights and protections.