News Archives
December 2018 Archives
Below is a list of all of the articles published in the selected month, ordered from most recent to least.
Four Care Centers Request Moratorium Exceptions Process Funding
On December 31, 2018 by Jeff Bostic
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) received proposals from four care centers – all LeadingAge Minnesota members -- for funding through the moratorium exceptions process.
Survey Says: More People Willing to Move into Assisted Living
On December 31, 2018 by Jodi Boyne
Most people at or near retirement age would rather stay home than move into a senior living community, but the gap between the two options is narrowing, according to a recent article in McKnight’s Senior Living.
Adult Day Services: A Closer Look at Individual Service Planning
On December 31, 2018 by Roni Falck
In our recent assessment of Adult Day Services surveys by the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS), we found several deficiencies in record keeping regarding Individual Service Planning. In this edition of our “Adult Day Services: A Closer Look” series, we review the requirements for the most common deficiencies in Individual Service Planning and link you to resources that will help you comply with the requirements.
New Guidance from CMS on Serving Dual Eligibles
On December 31, 2018 by Guest Contributor
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published a new State Medicaid Director Letter titled 10 Opportunities to Better Serve Individuals Dually Eligible for Medicaid and Medicare.
New Report Examines Use of Electronic Health Records (EHRs)
On December 31, 2018 by Jodi Boyne
More home health agencies (HHAs) than skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) have adopted electronic health records (EHRs), according to the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC).
FREE! 2019 Legislative Preview Webinar – Jan. 8
On December 31, 2018 by Libbie Chapuran
The Minnesota Legislature is scheduled to convene on Tuesday, Jan. 8 and aging services providers have a lot at stake. Don’t miss a free, one-hour webinar on Jan. 9 for insights into the current political environment, our priorities at the Capitol, and ways you can support our advocacy efforts.
Sign Up for an OnTrack Demo
On December 31, 2018 by Jenna Kellerman
Are you curious about the OnTrack Nursing Assistant Training program that more than 30 organizations have launched? Sign up for a demo webinar on Jan. 16!
Kick Off the New Year: “Sneak Peeks” at District Meetings
On December 31, 2018 by Jodi Boyne
The best way to kick off a new year? Joining LeadingAge Minnesota at one of its seven district meetings taking place in January. Our hot topic agenda features a sneak peek at our new Safe Care for Seniors program, and two breakout sessions that will help prepare care centers and housing with services/assisted living prepare for new opportunities in payment, regulations and more in 2019. Our meetings start next week, so don’t delay - register today!
New Year, New Opportunity: Get Involved with Health Occupations Students of America
On December 31, 2018 by Jenna Kellerman
As we continue to address the workforce challenges in aging services, we encourage you to get engaged with organizations that are educating your potential workforce at a crucial time in their development.
What’s the Top Concern for Health IT Executives in 2019?
On December 31, 2018 by Jodi Boyne
Cybersecurity, telehealth and interoperability are the top three concerns for healthcare IT executives in 2019.
Affordable Housing Funding in Limbo; New Hemp Law Passes; More Funding For Alzheimer’s Education
On December 31, 2018 by Jodi Boyne
The federal government remains in a partial shutdown, which could impact affordable housing as the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is one of the federal funding bills in limbo. It is unclear at the time we distributed this newsletter how long the shutdown will last. This articles provides some details on what a shutdown means for affordable housing funding, plus an update on a new hemp law and funding for Alzheimer's education.
HHS Releases Draft Guidance to Ease Use of EHRs
On December 31, 2018 by Jodi Boyne
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is seeking comments on draft guidance intended to streamline the use of electronic health records (EHRs) and other health information technology (IT). Comments are due Jan. 28.
Important HUD News: Social Security Announces 2.8% Benefit Increase for 2019
On December 18, 2018 by Bobbie Guidry
A 2.8 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) approved in October will begin with benefits payable to more than 62 million Social Security beneficiaries in January 2019.
AgingServicesJobs.org Now Includes Job Board Dissemination
On December 18, 2018 by Jenna Kellerman
The newest upgrade to AgingServicesJobs.Org integrates your job posting into a premium job board with access to special pricing. Premium job boards include:
Connect Residents to Senior LinkAge Line during Medicare Special Enrollment Periods
On December 18, 2018 by Jodi Boyne
Although the annual Medicare open enrollment period ended Dec. 7, special enrollment periods remain for most beneficiaries who live in one of the 66 Minnesota counties that are losing their Cost Plans as of Dec. 31, 2018. Members are reminded to refer residents and families with questions or in need of additional assistance to the Senior Linkage Line.
Survey Says: More People Willing to Move into Assisted Living
On December 18, 2018 by Jodi Boyne
As reported in McKnight’s Senior Living this week, most people at or near retirement age would rather stay home than move into a senior living community -- but the gap between the two options is narrowing.
LeadingAge Comments on Proposed Rule Affecting Immigration Status
On December 18, 2018 by Jonathan Lips
LeadingAge national has submitted comments to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) expressing opposition to its proposed rule broadening the factors used in public charge determinations, meaning whether a legal immigrant would become primarily dependent on the government for subsistence.
LeadingAge Comments on Proposed Rule Affecting Immigration Status
On December 18, 2018 by Jonathan Lips
LeadingAge national has submitted comments to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) expressing opposition to its proposed rule broadening the factors used in public charge determinations, meaning whether a legal immigrant would become primarily dependent on the government for subsistence.
LeadingAge Minnesota Supports Proposed Rule on Mechanical Lifts
On December 18, 2018 by Jonathan Lips
LeadingAge Minnesota filed comments last week with the United States Department of Labor (DOL) to voice our support for a proposal that would allow 16- and 17-year-olds to operate power-driven patient lifts independently.
Focus on the Food Code: Person in Charge
On December 18, 2018 by Bobbie Guidry
The role of the Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) was reviewed in a previous edition of Advantage. One important clarification to that story is the designation of a Person in Charge (PIC). When present, the CFPM functions as the PIC. However, when the CFPM is not present and food service is being offered, the CFPM must designate a PIC.
New Report: Health Care Spending Nationwide is $3.5 Trillion
On December 18, 2018 by Jodi Boyne
The United States spent $3.5 trillion on health care across all payors and out-of-pocket costs, according to the new National Health Expenditure (NHE) report.
Food Protection Manager Course Offered Feb. 5
On December 18, 2018 by Heidi Simpson
LeadingAge Minnesota is offering a Food Manager Certification Course on Tuesday, Feb. 5 to individuals seeking a new or renewal certification. This one-day ServSafe Manger course meets the criteria for Food Protection Manager Certification in Minnesota* and will provide eight hours of approved sanitation education required for CDMs.
A Closer Look: 2019 MA Plan’s HCBS Supplemental Benefits
On December 18, 2018 by Guest Contributor
Two new reports shed more light on how Medicare Advantage Organizations (MAOs) evaluated offering the new benefits for 2019 Medicare Advantage plans. The conclusion? Few plans – only 102 – are testing the new benefits in 2019, with more looking to offer some new Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) in 2020. The report also note that challenges remain.
OnTrack: Year One in Review
On December 18, 2018 by Jenna Kellerman
Happy Anniversary to LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation’s OnTrack Nursing Assistant Training program, which launched the RN Train the Trainer curriculum in December 2017! The first students matriculated a month later in January 2018.
Fully Leveraging the Strength of Your Local Workforce Center
On December 12, 2018 by Jenna Kellerman
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development operates more than 50 Workforce Centers around the state to help job seekers find jobs and employers find staff. One LeadingAge Minnesota member has seen great results working with a Workforce Center– 75 percent of the Workforce Center referrals were hired and 90 percent were still employed after six months!
Get Connected to Premium Job Boards with AgingServicesJobs.org
On December 12, 2018 by Jenna Kellerman
AgingServicesJobs.Org continues to see upgrades. The newest upgrade includes integrating your Aging Services Job posting into a premium job board with access to special pricing. Premium job boards include:
Katelyn Reichow, Friendship Village CNA, Receives Coveted National Dementia Award
On December 12, 2018 by Jodi Boyne
Katelyn Reichow, a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) at Friendship Village in Bloomington was named the 2018 CNA of the Year by the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners (NCCDP).
Host an Open House for New Career Awareness Campaign
On December 12, 2018 by Jenna Kellerman
HealthForce Minnesota will soon launch Caring Careers Start Here, a career awareness campaign targeted at aging services. We are encouraging members to host an Open Hearts Open House to expose students and adults to the great careers that await them in your settings.
Telemedicine Growing at Rapid Pace in Minnesota; Different Uses for Metro and Rural Patients
On December 12, 2018 by Jodi Boyne
Telemedicine grew at a rapid pace in Minnesota between 2010 and 2015 with a nearly seven-fold growth in visits jumping from 11,113 in 2010 to 86,238 visits in 2015, according to a new Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and University of Minnesota School of Public Health study highlighted in Health Affairs.
State Budget Surplus Grows, Economic Growth Predicted to Slow
On December 12, 2018 by Kari Thurlow
Minnesota’s latest budget forecast was released last week, showing a $1.544 billion surplus for the next biennium but also predicting a slowdown in economic growth. Positive reaction to the state budget surplus at the State Capitol was accompanied with a note of caution.