News Archives
August 2020 Archives
Below is a list of all of the articles published in the selected month, ordered from most recent to least.
MDH Releases Visitation Modification Guidance Effective 8/29/20
On August 12, 2020 by Jonathan Lips
This week the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) released long-awaited recommendations on modifying visitation policies in aging services settings. The recommendations are effective August 29, 2020 and apply both to nursing homes and housing with services/assisted living settings.
Our Commitment to Positive and Lasting Social Change
On August 12, 2020 by Gayle Kvenvold
Leading Change. Changing Lives. That is more than our promise. It is our purpose. During our recent LeadingAge Minnesota Board of Directors meeting, we re-committed to positive and lasting social change through not only our words but our actions.
National and State Perspectives on Financial Scenario Planning during COVID at Annual Meeting
On August 5, 2020 by Heidi Simpson
The Annual Meeting & Leadership Forum is virtual this year and much of the educational content focuses on strategic approaches related to COVID-19. Back-to-back sessions on Thursday, Sept. 17 will help leaders explore financial scenario planning in the COVID-19 world.
Dr. John Brose, Jane Danner to Speak at Connect Conference on Aug. 20
On August 5, 2020 by Heidi Simpson
This year has taught us the devastating impact when human connection is lost. Dr. John Brose, Director of the Associated Clinic of Psychology, and Jane Danner, Director of Resident Engagement and Development for Volunteers of America, are teaming up for the first time on Aug. 20 to deliver Combatting the Negative Impact of Isolation and Loneliness of Resident Wellbeing. This general session kicks off the second day of the two-day Connect Conference.
Aug. 14 Webinar Gives Strategies for Diffusing Challenging Situations
On August 5, 2020 by Heidi Simpson
Strategies for Diffusing Challenging Situations, a webinar on Aug. 14, will explore practical strategies designed to help staff diffuse the highly and emotionally charged situations so that difficult conversations about what can be done occur and enable the parties to move forward together.
Coming Soon: COVID-19 Resource Library
On August 5, 2020 by Jodi Boyne
LeadingAge MN is working on a new resource to help members plan, implement and communicate visitor modifications based on guidance the Minnesota Department of Health is the process of finalizing,
eMenuCHOICE Adds integration to American Data’s ECS Software
On August 5, 2020 by Jodi Boyne
eMenuCHOICE®, a leading dining management and point of sale (POS) application for senior living communities, now offers a time-saving integration for its customers who use the electronic health record solution ECS from American Data.
HUD Updates Multifamily Q&A
On August 5, 2020 by Bobbie Guidry
The U.S. Housing & Urban Development Department (HUD) updated its Q&A for Multifamily Housing programs. The July 31 Q&A document relays HUD’s guidance on operational and procedural questions related to the safe administration of HUD-assisted programs during COVID-19. In the Q&A, HUD provides clarity on mask requirements for residents, testing requirements for residents, and management and occupancy reviews. Included in the updates:
CMS Extends Deadline for Use of Renewed ABN for Medicare Part B Services
On August 5, 2020 by Jonathan Lips
As we previously reported, the Advance Beneficiary Notice of Noncoverage (ABN) Form CMS-R-131 and instructions have been approved for renewal.
SNF Quality Reporting Program Temporary Exceptions Have Expired
On August 5, 2020 by Julie Apold
A reminder that the temporary reporting relief outlined in the March 27 CMS memo for the Skilled Nursing Facility Quality Reporting Program (SNF QRP) and SNF Value-Based Purchasing (SNF VBP) program has expired as of June 30, 2020.
CMS to Outline SNF Prospective Payment Rule on Thursday Open Door Forum
On August 5, 2020 by Jonathan Lips
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will share information on fiscal year 2021 skilled nursing facility payment policies during a Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNF)/Long Term Care Open Door Forum this Thursday, Aug. 6 at 1 p.m. The full agenda will include:
CMP Funding Still Available to Nursing Homes for COVID-19 Technology Grants
On August 5, 2020 by Jonathan Lips
The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) is still accepting applications from Medicaid-certified nursing facilities to receive up to $3,000 in Civil Monetary Penalty (CMP) funds to purchase communication technology.
Long-Term Care Imperative Weighs in on Blue Ribbon Commission Draft Report
On August 5, 2020 by Gayle Kvenvold
LeadingAge Minnesota and its partner in the Long-Term Care Imperative submitted comments on behalf of older adult service providers on the draft final report of the Blue Ribbon Commission of Health and Human Services.
Adult Day: Impact of Mandated Closure on Participants and Family Caregivers
On August 5, 2020 by Roni Falck
A recent survey of LeadingAge Minnesota members illustrates the negative impact of the nearly four-month mandated closure of Adult Day Services on participants and family caregivers.
CMS Proposes to Extend Telehealth Benefits Permanently
On August 5, 2020 by Jonathan Lips
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) this week issued a proposed rule that announces and seeks public comments on proposed policy changes for Medicare Part B payments, on or after January 1, 2021. Click here for fact sheet describing the proposed rule. While policy analysts are still combing through the 1300-page proposal, several issues stand out as important for aging services providers.
CMS Posts Final Rule on Updated SNF Medicare Rates
On August 5, 2020 by Jeff Bostic
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the final version of the annual Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Payment Rule that updates rates for the second year of the Patient-Driven Payment Model (PDPM) which starts on Oct. 1. The Oct. 1 rates include an inflation update of 2.2% based on a formula in existing law.