News Archives
April 2019 Archives
Below is a list of all of the articles published in the selected month, ordered from most recent to least.
Avoid Potential 2% Reduction on Medicare Fee for Service Rates
On April 30, 2019 by Julie Apold
The next submission deadline for the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Quality Reporting Program (QRP) is fast approaching. MDS data for Oct. 1 – Dec. 31, 2018 must be submitted no later than 11:59 p.m. Pacific Standard Time on May 15.
MDH Bulletin Provides Updates on Facility Maltreatment Reporting
On April 30, 2019 by Jonathan Lips
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has posted to its website Information Bulletin 19-02: Update: MDH Nursing Home Facility Reporting Related to Federal Abuse, Neglect, Exploitation, or Mistreatment; and Minnesota Vulnerable Adults Act.
House and Senate Pass HHS Bills; Next Stop – Conference Committee
On April 30, 2019 by Kari Thurlow
The Legislature returned from its spring recess and picked up the pace on passing its major finance bills, including the Health and Human Services budget.
PDPM Implementation is 5 Months Away
On April 30, 2019 by Heidi Simpson
Countdown to the Oct. 1, 2019 implementation of Patient-Driven Payment Model, the new classification system for Medicare Part A payments, is now just five months away. Get ready by attending these crucial training sessions:
Treat Recruitment like a Marketing Campaign
On April 30, 2019 by Jenna Kellerman
Recruitment needs to be more than a generic “Now Hiring!” sign or tired newspaper advertisement. What can you do to create a more focused recruitment campaign? Know your community and create a targeted recruitment campaign.
Addressing the Middle-Market Challenge
On April 30, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
A National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care (NIC) study released last week projected that at least 54% of the 14.4 million middle-income older adults in 2029 in the United States will lack the financial resources to pay for senior housing and care.
New Regulations, New Webinar: Hazardous Medications – Delivery to Disposal
On April 30, 2019 by Sue Boyd
Changes are coming to care centers regarding hazardous medications disposals. To help your organization be ready and compliant, make plans now to participate in a Hazardous Medications – Delivery to Disposal webinar on May 16 from 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.
DHS Posts Resources, Announces Deadline for QIIP Projects
On April 30, 2019 by Sue Boyd
The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) has posted the instructions and goal sheet for the 2019 Quality Improvement Incentive Payment (QIIP) program. The deadline for care centers to submit their selected quality improvement topic is 11:59 pm on July 1.
Top 10 Life Safety Code Violations and How to Avoid Them
On April 30, 2019 by Heidi Simpson
Last week’s first installment of the webinar series, Top 10 Life Safety Code Violations and How to Avoid Them, covered how to prepare for your federal life/safety recertification survey, and was met with great enthusiasm and accolade. Now, get ready for parts 2 and 3 – the Top 10 Violations and how to avoid them.
Asking Your Customer the Right Questions Drives Quality Care
On April 30, 2019 by Jenna Kellerman
Listening and connecting with the people you serve and actively using their feedback can drive performance excellence and quality care. Do you have an effective way to connect?
Final Safe Care for Seniors Workshop Scheduled – May 13 in Saint Paul
On April 30, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
The final Safe Care for Seniors workshop has been scheduled. It will take place Monday, May 13 at LeadingAge Minnesota in Saint Paul. See the Workshop Conference Brochure and Register Today!
Connect Conference – Save Aug. 20-21 for this One-of-a-Kind Experience
On April 30, 2019 by Heidi Simpson
Calling all senior housing, assisted living, home care and adult day providers – let’s CONNECT this August! We’ve combined our most popular conferences into one unique and interactive experience to leverage the connections we all share in serving older adults.
PBJ Quarterly Reporting Deadline is May 15
On April 30, 2019 by Jonathan Lips
The deadline for submission of Payroll Based Journal (PBJ) data for the reporting period Jan. 1–March 31 is May 15. Timely and accurate submission of PBJ data is critical, because CMS uses the data to calculate staffing measures in Nursing Home Compare and the Five-Star Quality Rating System. The following rules apply:
OnTrack Expands Into North Dakota
On April 24, 2019 by Jenna Kellerman
The OnTrack Nursing Assistant Training is excited to announce our expansion into North Dakota!
Employee Engagement & Customer Experience with Align – Early Adopter Deadline Extended
On April 24, 2019 by Jenna Kellerman
Become an Early Adopter of Align’s Employee Engagement Solution (manager/supervisor evaluation and training!), and/or two Customer Experience Solutions and receive special pricing! The Early Adopter deadline has been extended to Monday, May 13!
Legislature Returns: House Votes on HHS Bill, AARP Holds Telephone Town Hall with Gov. Walz
On April 24, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
The Minnesota Legislature returned from its spring recess this week and wasted no time in getting down to business. Today in the Minnesota House, lawmakers will be voting on the House HHS Finance omnibus bill (HF2414). Tomorrow AARP will host a Telephone Town Hall with Governor Tim Walz and Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan on their key priorities for the remainder of the legislative session, which will include discussion on the protection of older adults in assisted living settings.
Five Star System Updates on Nursing Home Compare Today
On April 24, 2019 by Jeff Bostic
As we reported previously in Advantage, the Nursing Home Compare Five Star Rating system has implemented some significant updates effective today (April 24) that could reduce scores for many providers. We have prepared an Issue Paper to help members understand how these scoring changes work as well as provide suggested talking points for use with external stakeholders.
HWS Survey Shows Mixed Results in Workforce Indicators
On April 24, 2019 by Jeff Bostic
Our recent Housing with Services (HWS) legislative survey shows mixed results on the key workforce indicators we track annually. While employee vacancy rates declined for all HWS staff, employee turnover rose dramatically for home care aides.
Training at Your Fingertips – Webinars Available On-Demand
On April 24, 2019 by Heidi Simpson
Get access to quality training via webinar anytime day or night. Visit our On Demand Webinar library for a current list of available webinars. Purchase them once, use them again and again for timely and relevant staff training. New webinars are added regularly. Topics included:
Encourage Staff to Like and Share
On April 24, 2019 by Jenna Kellerman
Having an active social media presence is important for recruitment and community engagement. Social media is most impactful when it is shared with others - so get your staff involved! One LeadingAge Minnesota Workforce Solutions Grantee, Mother of Mercy in Albany, focused their Workforce Solutions Grant on a digital media campaign.
PDPM – WE HAVE YOUR TRAINING NEEDS COVERED
On April 24, 2019 by Heidi Simpson
The transition to the new Patient-Driven Payment Model (PDPM) will require providers to fully understand the massive changes to Medicare part A payments and identify what actions they need to take to maximize the new model of value-based care. LeadingAge Minnesota is offering a series of training opportunities to help you get ready for the conversion:
Medicare Releases Proposed Rule that Moves Closer to PDPM Implementation
On April 24, 2019 by Jeff Bostic
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) late last week issued a Proposed Rule that provides details about the upcoming implementation of the new Patient-Driven Payment Model (PDPM) that will take effect on Oct. 1, 2019. CMS will follow up with a final rule on the Oct. 1 rates around Aug. 1.
CMS Vows Continued Efforts to Ensure Safety, Quality
On April 17, 2019 by Jonathan Lips
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator vowed this week to “push beyond the status quo” in its oversight of nursing homes. “[W’e’re] continuously looking for ways to improve our approach to nursing home safety and quality. We must never be complacent – we should always push ahead to continuously improve our efforts,” CMS Administrator Seem Verma wrote in a wide-ranging blog post published April 15.
April 24: MN House Scheduled to Vote on HHS Finance Bill - Join Us at the State Capitol
On April 16, 2019 by Libbie Chapuran
The House is scheduled to vote on the Health and Human Services Finance Bill (HF 2414) on Wednesday, April 24. This bill would have a serious and potentially devastating impact on senior care. It’s time to have one more conversation with your lawmaker – and the best time to do that is at the State Capitol on the day of the vote.
Be Prepared: Top 10 Life Safety Code Violations Webinar Series Begins April 24
On April 16, 2019 by Heidi Simpson
Learn how to prepare for your federal fire/life safety recertification survey and know the top ten K-tags cited in Minnesota and how to avoid them. This three-part webinar series for care center interdisciplinary teams is April 24, May 15 and May 29.
Spring Assisted Living Certificate Program Begins Next Week – A Few Spots Remain
On April 16, 2019 by Heidi Simpson
The Assisted Living Certificate Program for Assisted Living/Housing-with-Services managers and home care nurse managers provides essential training on the most important core skills and knowledge for housing and home care nursing managers. A limited number of spots are still available for the Spring series, which starts next week (April 25 – June 5) and has a $100 savings incentive on registration.
Countdown to PDPM: Essential Leadership Strategies Workshop is May 15
On April 16, 2019 by Heidi Simpson
With the implementation of Patient Driven Payment Model (PDPM) less than six months away, time is of the essence in getting your organization and team ready for the changes it will bring.
Our May 15 workshop, Successful Leadership Strategies to Prepare for PDPM, is a day designed for CEOs, corporate executive suite, care center Administrators and senior leadership to take a high-level examination of the changes and how to prepare.
Click here to register your executive team today for this one-day workshop.
Medicare Managed Care Key to Affordable Housing Plus Services
On April 16, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
What is the most feasible way in the short term to finance affordable housing plus services? Collaboration between housing providers and Medicare managed care plans, according to a new report from the LeadingAge LTSS Center @UMass Boston.
Congress Passes Short-Term Medicaid HCBS Protections
On April 16, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
The Medicaid Services Investment and Accountability Act, which provides a six-month extension for the Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS) spousal impoverishment protections, has passed both bodies of Congress and now heads to the White House where it is expected to be signed into law.
U.S. Representative Stauber Co-Sponsors Nursing Home Workforce Quality Act
On April 16, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
U.S. Representative Pete Stauber (R-MN) is co-sponsoring legislation to eliminate the rigid provisions of the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) training lock-out and grant the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) greater flexibility in reinstating provider CNA training programs.