News Archives
July 2018 Archives
Below is a list of all of the articles published in the selected month, ordered from most recent to least.
CDC Releases New Tools to Aid in Antibiotic Stewardship
On July 24, 2018 by Jodi Boyne
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a new tool as part of its four-part online training series on antibiotic stewardship.
America Is Running Out of Family Caregivers, Just When It Needs Them Most
On July 24, 2018 by Jodi Boyne
Many Americans are now aging without family caregivers nearby, reports the Wall Street Journal.
Call for Nominations: 2019 Board of Directors
On July 24, 2018 by Nancy Garrett
The 2018 LeadingAge Minnesota Nominating Committee is seeking nominations for candidates for the 2019 Board of Directors. Nominations are due by Friday, Aug. 10.
CAST Updates Medication Management Selection Tool
On July 24, 2018 by Jodi Boyne
LeadingAge CAST has updated its Medication Management Selection Tool with vendor information for 20 products. The tool is designed to help you understand the range, uses and benefits of medication management technologies and to select solutions that best fit your requirements.
LeadingAge Learning Hub offers Free Mental Health Training
On July 24, 2018 by Bobbie Guidry
A new training to assist staff in supporting and working with residents with mental illness has been added to the LeadingAge learning hub. The training is free for LeadingAge members.
Who’s Your Julie? Tell Us About Your Caregiver of the Year – Nominations Open
On July 24, 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 Julie?
MDH Shares Survey Data and Other Information During Statewide Call
On July 18, 2018 by Jonathan Lips
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) held a statewide regulatory call for care centers on July 16 and provided updates on commonly-cited deficiencies and other topics. MDH recorded Monday’s call and will post the recording on its webpage within the next week, and it will remain archived there for 90 days. Here are notes from the call:
Now Available: Rights-Modification Form and Updates to HCBS Transition Process
On July 18, 2018 by Bobbie Guidry
The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) issued a form that can be used by case managers to modify rights for individuals requiring a modification of the rights enumerated in the Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) standards for provider “owned or controlled settings.”
Annual Meeting Registration Open this Week
On July 17, 2018 by Heidi Simpson
Watch your email this week for information about the 2018 Annual Meeting & Leadership Forum, Sept. 18-21 at Madden’s in Brainerd. Registration will open on Friday.
U of M Reaffirms Commitment to Preparing Nursing Home Administrators for Licensure
On July 17, 2018 by Jodi Boyne
As the Baby Boom Generation continues to age and rely more on the network of supports for older adults, the University of Minnesota recently reaffirmed its commitment to its high-quality Long-Term Care Administration courses.
Legislative Auditor Releases Report on Eligibility Process
On July 17, 2018 by Kari Thurlow
The Office of the Legislative Auditor (OLA) last week released an audit on the Medical Assistance eligibility process for seniors and those under age 65 with a disability. The audit found that DHS and the counties who implement the eligibility process “generally complied” with legal requirements for determining eligibility. Specific findings and recommendations include:
New Award Honors Pioneering Legacy of Ray Johnson; Nominations Invited
On July 17, 2018 by Barbara Landeen
A familiar Stars Among Us Award has been recast to reflect the spirit of its namesake for the 2019 recognition program.
Assisted Living Occupancy Drops to Record Low
On July 17, 2018 by Jodi Boyne
The downward trend in assisted living occupancy continues, according to data released by the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care (NIC).
Value Over Volume: Lancaster Pollard Reviews PDPM
On July 17, 2018 by Jodi Boyne
As we first reported in May, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is proposing an entirely new case mix payment system to take effect on Oct. 1, 2019. In this week’s Advantage, we feature a review of this Patient-Drive Payment Model (PDPM) from Lancaster Pollard.
Sales & Marketing in Senior Housing Certificate Program Congratulates 34 Graduates
On July 17, 2018 by Barbara Landeen
LeadingAge Minnesota’s Sales & Marketing in Senior Housing Certificate Program concluded on July 10 with 34 professionals receiving their Certificate of Completion.
6-Month, No-Risk Period: Fresh Insights from HDG on Bundled Payments for Care Improvement
On July 17, 2018 by Jodi Boyne
With the next round of Bundled Payments for Care Improvement (BCPI) about to begin, Health Dimensions Group (HDG) reviews some potentially game-changing program modifications that will likely increase participation in the next round of voluntary bundling.
OAA Funding Advances in Congress
On July 17, 2018 by Bobbie Guidry
Funding for essential programs that help people age in place were recently approved by the U.S. House and Senate Appropriations Committees.
Billing University for Care Centers is Aug. 8-9
On July 17, 2018 by Heidi Simpson
How can you improve the financial health of your care center? By having billing office staff attend the annual Billing University on Aug. 8 and 9.
Last Chance to Register for July 25 Assisted Living Home Care Conference
On July 17, 2018 by Heidi Simpson
The last day to pre-register for the 2018 Assisted Living and Home Care Conference is Thursday, July 19.
DHS Conducting Survey of HCBS Transportation Provider Costs
On July 17, 2018 by Jeff Bostic
As we have covered previously, the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) is conducting numerous studies this summer that are related to reports it is required to submit to the 2019 Legislature. In addition to a study Elderly Waiver rates and of Adult Day Services, DHS is also reviewing rates and availability of transportation services for Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver clients.
New Webinar: Meeting the Behavioral Health Needs of Older Adults
On July 17, 2018 by Bobbie Guidry
In the U.S., 25 percent of adults age 65 or older experience a behavioral health issue, yet only 3 percent of them report seeking treatment from a behavioral health professional. A new webinar on Aug. 2 will share promising practices to help members better identify common behavioral health conditions in older adults and demonstrate practical strategies for meeting their needs.
Proposed Medicare Physician Payment Rule Expands Coverage of Telehealth
On July 17, 2018 by Jeff Bostic
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) last week released a proposed rule on physician payment that would take effect for calendar year 2019. Included are several proposals for updating and changing those payment practices, but the changes of most significance to LeadingAge Minnesota members are the proposed expansion of coverage of telehealth services.
Fore! Deadline to Register for Foundation Golf Tournament is July 16
On July 11, 2018 by Jenny Prosser
This year’s LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation Golf Tournament on Aug. 8 is nearly sold out! Don’t delay. Register today for a day of golf on the championship-style Keller Golf Course, networking and – most importantly – raising money to fund essential caregiver scholarships!
Regulatory Resources and Updates for Care Centers
On July 11, 2018 by Jonathan Lips
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) issued a number of regulatory updates in the two weeks since we last published Advantage. Care centers will want to take note of these items:
HIE Grants Available from Health Department
On July 11, 2018 by Jonathan Lips
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is seeking proposals for the Minnesota Health Information Exchange (HIE) Grant Program. The program provides financial assistance to Minnesota health care providers to encourage implementation of admission, discharge and transfer alerts and care summary document exchange transactions.
Earn CEUs: Learn Strategies for Effective, Systematic Approach to Strategic Planning
On July 10, 2018 by Julie Apold
Register your team by July 16 for a workshop where you will discover new tools and approaches to your strategic planning process. As part of LeadingAge Minnesota’s Performance Excellence in Aging Services platform, the July 19 workshop A Systematic and Effective Approach to Strategic Planning unfolds the strategic planning process from preparation and prioritization to deployment and sustaining the plan.
Care Center Staffing Ratings Under Scrutiny
On July 10, 2018 by Jodi Boyne
The New York Times recently published an article (‘It’s Almost Like a Ghost Town.’ Most Nursing Homes Overstated Staffing for Years. July 7, 2018) that calls into question staffing levels in nursing homes. The article cites data analyzed by Kaiser Health News that nursing homes submit to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) each quarter via the Payroll-Based Journal (PBJ) system, as well as staffing data that facilities previously submitted annually using the CMS-671 form.
55 Organizations Using OnTrack Nursing Assistant Training
On July 10, 2018 by Jenna Kellerman
OnTrack Nursing Assistant Training has been available for seven months and now has 55 organizations enrolled. Of those 55 organizations, 16 have been approved by the Minnesota Department of Health and 39 are in the application process.
Last Chance for Adult Day Conference
On July 10, 2018 by Heidi Simpson
Thursday, July 12 is the last day to pre-register for the July 17 Adult Day Conference. Join more than 100 of your adult day colleagues at the summer’s one-stop event to learn, share and connect.
Benedictine Health System Names Steven Przybilla as Senior Vice President, Operations/COO
On July 10, 2018 by Jodi Boyne
Steven Przybilla is the new senior vice president, operations/chief operating officer, for Benedictine Health System effective July 1.