News Archives
August 2022 Archives
Below is a list of all of the articles published in the selected month, ordered from most recent to least.
CMS Researchers Enter Nursing Homes to Establish a Federal Staffing Standard
On August 25, 2022 by Anna Mowry
This week, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced plans to conduct a four-part analysis in pursuit of establishing a federal minimum staffing standard in nursing homes. As part of their study, researchers will visit 75 nursing homes across the country over the next three months though none are planned for Minnesota sites. A national staffing plan would be incorporated into skilled nursing proposed rules published next spring.
New SNF QRP Measure Begins Oct. 1
On August 25, 2022 by Julie Apold
Care centers must track and report flu vaccination information to the CDC this fall.
The reporting period for the new Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Quality Reporting Program (QRP) measure "Influenza Vaccination Coverage among Healthcare Personnel" (HCP) begins Oct. 1.
Two-Hour Nursing Assistant Knowledge Exam Time Limit Returns
On August 25, 2022 by Anna Mowry
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) will extend the time limit for the nursing assistant state knowledge exam from one hour back to two hours in response to feedback from nurse aide training programs around the state.
Adult Day Service Providers Continue to Develop
On August 25, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry
According to the Department of Human Services, a net total of 13 adult day programs closed from 2021 to the midpoint of this year. The availability of adult day services as our state ages is increasingly essential to promote quality of life and health.
$400K in Workforce Grants Available from the LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation
On August 25, 2022 by Terri Foley
To support members in addressing the significant challenges caused by the current labor shortage, the LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation is investing up to $400,000 in workforce grants. Applicants must apply by Oct. 5. The maximum award per site is $20,000. Grants are available for various purposes.
Staff Appreciation Initiatives
Grants will be awarded to thank staff teams for their continued commitment. Examples of eligible expenses include:
- Gift cards
- Free meals
- Break room improvements
- Staff recognition events
Funds cannot be used to offset wages, benefits, bonuses, or other compensation.
OnTrack Nursing Assistant Training Program Set-Up Expenses
Grants will be awarded to train high-quality direct caregivers. Examples of eligible expenses include:
- Technology
- Equipment such as mannequins
- Physical plant changes for a new or existing training room
Funds can cover nurse educators’ time for the OnTrack program set-up. Funds cannot be used for OnTrack student enrollment fees, exam fees, or student wages.
Build-Your-Own Workforce Projects
Grants will be awarded to start or expand initiatives aimed at recruitment, retention, or talent pipeline efforts. Projects can involve, for example:
- Labor-saving tools and technology
- Onboarding process improvements
- Partnerships with local schools
- Upgrading online recruiting tools
The Details
Applications are due Oct. 5 by 5 p.m. Learn more in the Request For Proposal (RFP) and apply online.
Multi-site organizations can submit applications for individual settings or combine projects across sites. An announcement of awards will be made by Dec. 1.
For questions, please contact Terri Foley, Program Office at the LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation, at tfoley@leadingagemn.org or 651-815-8137.
Assisted Living Director License Renewal Begins Sept. 1
On August 25, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry
Licensed Assisted Living Directors (LALD) are due for their first license renewal in September. The Board of Executives for Long-term Services and Supports (BELTSS), licensing board for LALDs, will issue a notice by the end of this week. It will include directions for licensees on how to renew their licenses.
New Season, Same Guidance: Refresher on Visitation, Activities, and Group Gatherings Guidance
On August 18, 2022 by Kari Everson
Guidance for activities, visitation, and large group gatherings has not changed significantly. However, as the summer is winding down, long-term care settings that host gatherings are seeking a guidance refresher for these events.
LTC Imperative Nursing Facility Financial Survey Finds Facilities Facing Risk of Closure
On August 18, 2022 by Jeff Bostic
A recent survey of nursing homes conducted by the Long-Term Care Imperative found that several settings throughout the state are closing beds, considering a sale, or considering closing their doors. Due to lost capacity in the system overall, Minnesota seniors are losings access to care in the communities they call home.
LeadingAge Minnesota Partners with MDH to Pilot In-Facility Nursing Assistant Testing in Member Settings
On August 18, 2022 by Anna Mowry
LeadingAge Minnesota members, in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), are helping expand nursing assistant testing opportunities throughout Minnesota by piloting in-facility testing in their settings.
Variance Request Required for 24-Hour Staffing Rule in Assisted Living
On August 18, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry
If your assisted living setting satisfies the 24-hour staffing rule by utilizing staff from another licensed setting, you must request a variance from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) to remain in compliance with assisted living requirements.
Assisted Living Bill of Rights Required Notices
On August 11, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry
Assisted living providers must issue a new version of the Assisted Living Bill of Rights (144G.91) to all residents and obtain a written acknowledgment of its receipt. The update is necessary because the Minnesota Legislature adopted several changes to the Assisted Living Bill of Rights earlier this year.
MDH Invites LTC Providers to Learn from Closed Correction Orders at Collaborative Safety Reviews
On August 11, 2022 by Julie Apold
Over the next few weeks, the Minnesota Department of Health's (MDH) Collaborative Safety steering team members will begin inviting providers with closed Tuberculous and Individual Abuse Prevention Plan correction orders to collaborate, review and map these issues with the goal of learning and improving these systems.
Updates from CMS on Staffing Standards Study in Nursing Homes
On August 11, 2022 by Anna Mowry
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) reported that, due to the significant response to the Request for Information on establishing a minimum staffing standard, it will conclude the staffing study in December. Initially, we expected the study to be part of the recently-issued final 2023 Skilled Nursing Facility Prospective Payment System rule.
New Resources to Generate Positive Perceptions of Aging Services
On August 11, 2022 by Libbie Chapuran
Opening Doors to Aging Services is a national LeadingAge initiative to introduce the aging services sector to millions of Americans and positively shift perceptions of our field.
New Survey Data: Top Cited Deficiencies from Nursing Home Recertification Surveys
On August 4, 2022 by Jonathan Lips
The information available from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Quality, Certification and Oversight Reports (QCOR) database shows that the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has completed 127 nursing facility recertification surveys during the federal fiscal year-to-date. There is some lag time in survey data entry, so the actual current total of surveys conducted is somewhat higher. Here's a sampling of the data:
MDH Develops Helpful Video Series
On August 4, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry
The Health Regulation Division (HRD) at the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) recently released two brief videos to help assisted living providers understand regulatory expectations and prepare for their next survey.
New National Survey Shows Double Digit Pay Increases for Caregivers
On August 4, 2022 by Anna Mowry
A new national report found that the national average hourly rate for CNAs and RNs increased by over 10% from 2021 to 2022, with virtually all titles showing significant salary jumps credited to the pandemic and ongoing staffing shortages.
DHS Releases Application for 2023 Elderly Waiver Customized Living Disproportionate Share Program
On August 4, 2022 by Jeff Bostic
DHS recently released the application form for the Elderly Waiver Customized Living (EWCL) Disproportionate Share Program for 2023. 2022 is the second year of the program, which provides a floor rate of $119 per resident day for their EWCL clients in 2023. The Legislature made some changes to the program that start this year, including:
Assisted Living Contract and AL Bill of Rights Changes Effective this Week
On August 4, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry
As reported in last week’s Advantage, the Assisted Living Facility HFID must be on new assisted living contracts entered into on or after Aug. 1, 2022. Also, effective for contracts entered into on or after Aug. 1, 2022, the following changes were made to the required assisted living contract content in item (5) in 144G.50, subdivision 2, the (struck-out language deleted, new language in bold):
CMS Releases Final SNF PPS Rule; Includes Cuts Related to Impact of PDPM
On August 4, 2022 by Jeff Bostic
Late last week, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published the annual final rule that updates the Prospective Payment System (PPS) rates for care centers.