News Archives
July 2019 Archives
Below is a list of all of the articles published in the selected month, ordered from most recent to least.
CMS Posts Final Rule on PDPM Implementation
On July 31, 2019 by Jeff Bostic
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) earlier this week released the final Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Payment Rule, which is the last step before implementation of the new Patient-Driven Payment Model (PDPM) that will take effect on Oct. 1. In addition to transitioning to the new case mix system, the Oct. 1 rates also include an inflation update of 2.4%. The rule makes few changes from the proposed rule that come out earlier this year, but it does finalize a definition of group therapy that allows up to six clients to be part of a treatment group as well as updating some requirements around ICD-10 coding that is a major driver of rates under PDPM.
Which Setting has Higher Long Term Care Insurance Claims?
On July 30, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
As first reported by McKnight’s Senior Living, the 2019 Milliman Long Term Care Insurance Survey shows average individual long-term care insurance claim amounts for care in assisted living settings are much higher than claim amounts for home care or care in nursing homes.
2020 Board of Directors, Lifetime Honorary Memberships: Nominations Open
On July 30, 2019 by Gayle Kvenvold
Nominations are now open for two elected Director-at-Large positions on the LeadingAge Minnesota Board of Directors. The Nominating Committee is also accepting nominations for Lifetime Honorary Memberships.
Coming in September: Infection Preventionist Certificate Program
On July 30, 2019 by Sue Boyd
Four months remain before the Phase 3 of the Requirements of Participation take effect, and Nov. 28 is approaching faster than some of us would like! If you have not implemented a plan to meet regulatory compliance with F882: Infection Prevention and Control, now is the time to identify or hire someone to assume responsibilities for the vital Infection Preventionist position and get them the specialized training they need. LeadingAge MN is here to help through our new Certificate Program, Effectiveness & Core Components for the Infection Preventionist.
Dementia Care Certificate Program Now Open for Registration
On July 30, 2019 by Heidi Simpson
To better assist home care agency, Housing with Services/Assisted Living and care center staff meet Minnesota’s current dementia care training requirements, LeadingAge MN is offering a four-part certificate program series beginning in August and running through October 2019. There are two live webinars and one two-day workshop that focus on the critical must know topics outlined in legislation.
Accepting Feedback from Staff is Important
On July 30, 2019 by Jenna Kellerman
Whether you hang a whiteboard in a break room, create an online forum on your organization’s intranet, or establish a staff-focused Facebook page, consider giving staff a modern forum to express their ideas, suggestions and opinions.
NSPIRE Voluntary Demonstration Open Registration Announced
On July 30, 2019 by Bobbie Guidry
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced that property owners/agents and Public Housing Authorities across the country can pre-register one or more of their properties to be considered for selection in the demonstration to develop and test a new format for conducting the physical inspection of HUD-subsidized properties.
Affordable Housing: 202 PRAC Reserve Levels Frozen, FY19 Renewals Very Tight
On July 30, 2019 by Bobbie Guidry
LeadingAge has been informed by HUD officials that 202 PRAC funding availability is very tight right now and will remain so for the remainder of FY19.
LeadingAge Supports Bill to Expand Access to International Healthcare Workers
On July 30, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
LeadingAge is supporting a bill that would nearly double the number of employment visas granted annually and increase access to qualified health care workers.
Proposed SNAP Rule Could Harm Food Access for Older Adults
On July 30, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
A proposed rule announced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on July 23 would change eligibility rules for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and lower the number of older adults eligible for SNAP benefits.
Interim Manager to Lead DHS Inspector General Office
On July 30, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
Acting Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) Commissioner Pam Wheelock tnamed Bob Jacobson to manage the Office of Inspector General on an interim basis.
New Law Bans E-Cigarette and Vapes in Most Indoor Workplaces and Public Places
On July 30, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
Starting Aug. 1, laws protecting Minnesotans from exposure to deadly secondhand smoke will expand to include the use of e-cigarettes and vapes.
Home Care Matters Provider Webinar Scheduled for Aug. 7
On July 30, 2019 by Sue Boyd
Home Care Matters, a provider webinar sponsored by the Home Care and Assisted Living Program at the Minnesota Department of Health, takes place on Wednesday, Aug. 7 from 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
New Resource on Documentation Requirements for Waiver Services
On July 30, 2019 by Jeff Bostic
The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) has released a short document that summarizes new statutory requirements around documentation for waiver services.
CMS Publishes Final Rule on Arbitration Agreements
On July 30, 2019 by Jonathan Lips
The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published a final rule on arbitration agreements that nursing facilities must meet to participate in the Medicare and Medicaid programs.
BENHA Establishes Rule Development Team for Licensed Assisted Living Directors
On July 30, 2019 by Bobbie Guidry
The Minnesota Board of Examiners for Nursing Home Administrators (BENHA) has developed a Rules Development Team, which held its first meeting last week, to facilitate rulemaking for the licensure of Assisted Living Directors.
First Pieces of Elder Care Protection Take Effect Aug. 1
On July 24, 2019 by Kari Thurlow
Several elements of the new Elder Care and Vulnerable Adult Protection Act of 2019 take effect on Aug. 1, including retaliation protections, new fines, a maltreatment compensation fund, revisions to the Home Care Bill of Rights and the new Health Services Executive license. The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has not released guidance on many of these provisions at this time.
Connect Conference features Collaboration Success Stories from Member Organizations and Partners
On July 24, 2019 by Heidi Simpson
The August 20-21 Connect Conference features success stories of collaborations, ideas and innovation from several LeadingAge Minnesota member communities. Project case studies include:
Strategic Insight, Business Intelligence and Warm Camaraderie at 2019 Annual Meeting
On July 24, 2019 by Heidi Simpson
The 2019 Annual Meeting & Leadership Forum, Sept. 17-20 at Madden’s in Brainerd, features much-anticipated keynotes, forums and breakout sessions that inform strategic planning for member organizations.
Last Chance: Register for the FINAL Safe Care for Seniors Workshop
On July 24, 2019 by Julie Apold
You’ve taken the Safe Care for Seniors pledge, but are you ready to take the next step? Time is running out to register for the Aug. 5 Safe Care for Seniors workshop.
Student Scholarship Applications to LeadingAge National Conference Due Aug. 14
On July 24, 2019 by Adam Suomala
For the third year, our partners at LeadingAge National have arranged a powerful three days of programming specific for student leaders Oct. 27–30 in San Diego at their Annual Meeting, as well as scholarships to help defray expenses. This program is targeting students enrolled full-time in undergraduate or graduate programs at accredited colleges or universities (ages 18 and up), with a goal to expose and connect students to opportunities in the field of aging services.
Ziegler Adds Mark Landreville and Christina Rappel to Senor Living Finance Practice
On July 24, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
Ziegler, a national specialty investment bank and a leader in the not-for-profit senior living finance sector, announced the addition of Mark Landreville as a managing director and Christina Rappl as an assistant vice president to its senior living finance practice.
Host a Staff Focus Group
On July 24, 2019 by Jenna Kellerman
Hosting a focus group allows leaders to hear from a select group of staff about a specific topic.
U.S. Senate Finance Criticizes CMS Oversight Efforts Related to Abuse and Neglect in Nursing Homes
On July 24, 2019 by Kari Thurlow
The U.S. Senate Finance Committee held a hearing yesterday on the latest report released by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), Improved Oversight Needed to Better Protect Residents from Abuse. The report states that abuse deficiencies cited in nursing homes have more than doubled between 2013 and 2017.
SNFs Notified of QRP Noncompliance; Reconsideration Requests Due Aug. 15
On July 24, 2019 by Julie Apold
Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs) identified as not meeting the 80% reporting threshold under the Quality Reporting Program (QRP) recently received a letter from National Government Services, the Medicare contract agency for Minnesota, informing them that they will be subject to a 2% reduction on their Medicare fee-for-service rates beginning Oct. 1, 2019. If you received this letter, you have the opportunity to request reconsideration by Aug. 15.
Eldermark Provides Technology Training for MDH Teams
On July 24, 2019 by Guest Contributor
In response to a request from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Office of Health Facility Complaints (OHFC), Eldermark Software recently met with the investigation teams and supervisors from OHFC and the Licensing & Survey Compliance division to provide some basic training on the software used by many senior living providers across the state.
Minnesota Food Code: Am I serving a highly susceptible population?
On July 24, 2019 by Bobbie Guidry
New Minnesota Food Code requirements went into effect on Jan. 1 and one topic providers want to learn more about is the requirements for establishments serving highly susceptible populations:
Moratorium Exceptions Process Application Materials Available
On July 24, 2019 by Jeff Bostic
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) recently released the application materials for this year’s round of the nursing facility moratorium exceptions process. Care centers interested in applying should complete the required application materials and return them to MDH by Dec. 20. Following a presentation to a review committee early next year, MDH will have a list of approved projects by April 3, 2020.
Nominations Open for 2020 Board of Directors, Honorary Memberships
On July 24, 2019 by Gayle Kvenvold
Nominations are now open for two elected Director-at-Large positions on the LeadingAge Minnesota Board of Directors. The Nominating Committee is also accepting nominations for Lifetime Honorary Memberships.
Ban on Flushing of Hazardous Medications Takes Effect in August
On July 24, 2019 by Sue Boyd
Under regulations enacted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), hazardous waste pharmaceuticals may not be sewered (flushed or poured down a drain) for disposal after Aug. 21, 2019. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has posted a fact sheet about changes in management of hazardous waste pharmaceuticals to its website.