News Archives
October 2022 Archives
Below is a list of all of the articles published in the selected month, ordered from most recent to least.
Benedictine Appoints Anneliese Peterson as New Chief Operating Officer
On October 27, 2022 by Libbie Chapuran
Anneliese Peterson, who serves as the District G Officer on the LeadingAge Minnesota Board of Directors, will join Benedictine as its chief operating officer on Dec. 5. She will be responsible for providing leadership and strategic direction across the organization.
HHS OIG to audit for Potentially Preventable Hospitalizations from Care Centers
On October 27, 2022 by LeadingAge
The Office of the Inspector General (OIG), a division of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), announced an additional investigation as part of its 2022 work plan. Its added focus will be on whether skilled nursing facility residents were hospitalized with certain conditions and whether the facility provided services per the resident’s care plan and professional standards of practice.
Employee Retention Credit Potential Funding Option for Providers
On October 27, 2022 by Jeff Bostic
LeadingAge, our national partner, recently released a Frequently Asked Questions document that covers issues around applying for the Employee Retention Credit (ERC).
DHS Releases RFP for Consultant to Advise on Case Mix Transition
On October 27, 2022 by Jeff Bostic
Earlier this week, the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) released a Request for Proposal (RFP) hire a consultant who will review the RUGS-IV case mix system used in the state's Value-Based Reimbursement (VBR) care center payment system under Medicaid.
CMS Releases New QSO on Nursing Home Vaccine Mandate
On October 27, 2022 by Kari Everson
On Oct. 26, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released QSO 23-02-ALL, replacing QSO 22-07-ALL and QSO 22-11-ALL. The new version revises guidance for staff vaccination requirements and includes multiple attachments for each provider type. Nursing homes should continue to refer to Attachment A.
DHS Announces Plan for Care Center Rate Notices for 2023
On October 27, 2022 by Jeff Bostic
Most care centers will receive an official rate notice for 2023 in January, according to a Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) announcement.
CMS Announces Immediate, Aggressive Enforcement for Special Focus Facilities (SFF) Participants
On October 25, 2022 by LeadingAge
On Friday, Oct. 21, CMS announced new actions "to significantly strengthen accountability for nursing homes in the Special Focus Facilities (SFF) Program." According to the White House press release, the "SFF Program already provides more frequent inspections of these nursing homes, but more action is needed to ensure these nursing homes improve."
New Recruitment Tools Now Available: Opening Doors to the Aging Services Workforce
On October 20, 2022 by Anna Mowry
New, research-informed communication strategies and recruitment tools are available for LeadingAge members to support their workforce efforts.
Workforce Development Resource Round-up
On October 20, 2022 by Anna Mowry
September was National Workforce Development Month. To celebrate LeadingAge Minnesota and our national partners at LeadingAge released several resources for members to support and grow their workforce.
Minnesota Providers Need Stronger Cybersecurity Measures
On October 20, 2022 by Erin Huppert
Minnesota Critical Infrastructure Providers, including those in health care and some long-term care, will be asked to complete new cybersecurity requirements, according to a state executive order.
SNF Cost of Care Increases by 28% from 2019 to 2021
On October 13, 2022 by Libbie Chapuran
According to a new report by Clifton Larson Allen (CLA), the total cost per patient day from 2019 to 2021 has increased by 28% or $73 per day. For comparison, the per-patient costs increased by just 3% between 2018 and 2019. Rising prices are significantly impacting margins, regardless of the operator's market.
Participate in LeadingAge Minnesota Committees in 2023
On October 13, 2022 by Lori Meyer
As the new year approaches, we invite you to participate in LeadingAge Minnesota committees in 2023. We are tackling your challenges on numerous fronts, and we need you to help shape the critical work ahead.
Supportive State Regulations Help Assisted Living Residents Die in Place
On October 13, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry
Researchers from Brown University School of Public Health found a positive correlation between states with supportive third-party service regulations and the likelihood of assisted living residents dying in place.
NLRB Issues Notice to Change the Joint Employer Standard
On October 13, 2022 by LeadingAge
On Sept. 6, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) issued a notice of proposed rulemaking. The rule will change the standard for when two employers who do business together are considered joint employers and are, thus, liable for one another's unfair labor practices under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA).
DOL Issues Rulemaking Notice to Change the Worker-Contractor Classification Rule
On October 13, 2022 by Mark Schulz
Today, the Department of Labor (DOL) will issue a notice of proposed rulemaking to help employers and workers determine whether a worker is an employee or an independent contractor under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The department believes the new rule will preserve essential worker rights and provide consistency for regulated entities.
Definition of Electronic Health Information Expanded to Include Electronic Protected Health Information
On October 13, 2022 by Mark Schulz
Starting on Oct. 6, the definition of electronic health information (EHI) in the 21st Century Cures Act (Cures Act) expanded to include electronic Protected Health Information (ePHI) that a patient has the right to access under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Healthcare providers must provide patients, residents, and clients easy access to a wider swath of EHI under the Cures Act or face potential penalties.
Temporary Nurse Aide Program Extension, Next Steps
On October 13, 2022 by Anna Mowry
Minnesota's nurse aides hired or who worked during the 1135 waiver now have until April 5, 2023, or the end of the public health emergency (PHE), whichever is sooner, to be placed on the Minnesota Nursing Assistant Registry.
3-Day Hospital Stay Waiver In Effect Through End of Public Health Emergency
On October 13, 2022 by Kari Everson
The policy enacted during the COVID-19 pandemic waiving the requirement for a 3-day prior hospitalization for coverage of a SNF stay remains in effect.
LeadingAge Minnesota Shares Its 2022 Election Guide
On October 13, 2022 by Erin Huppert
This week, LeadingAge Minnesota releases its 2022 Election Guide in advance of the 2022 General Election on Nov. 8.
Answers to FAQ on Recent COVID-19 Guidance Changes
On October 13, 2022 by Kari Everson
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released several changes to COVID-19 guidance over the past two weeks. Members have several questions about the nursing home vaccine mandate, source control and eye protection use, antigen testing of asymptomatic individuals, and resident screening.
US Supreme Court Refuses to Hear Case on Nursing Home Arbitration Rule
On October 6, 2022 by Mark Schulz
The nation's highest court has declined to weigh in on a case involving nursing homes and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) arbitration rule that nursing home industry groups argue places "burdensome" requirements on facilities. In other words, the Eighth US Circuit Court of Appeals' October 2021 decision will remain intact.
Changes and Clarifications to the Knowledge Test for Nurse Aide Candidates
On October 6, 2022 by Anna Mowry
As of Oct. 3, nurse aide candidates have a maximum of two hours to complete the knowledge test and have up to four chances to pass the knowledge test. We have answers to several frequently asked questions about the nurse aide test.
FAQ on Assisted Living Contracts Added to MDH Website
On October 6, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry
A section on Assisted Living Contracts was recently added to the FAQ section of the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Assisted Living webpage. Included are responses to questions on liability waivers, renter's insurance, and arbitration provisions posed by providers.
Emergency Relocation for Assisted Living – Definition and Requirements
On October 6, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry
The assisted living statutes (144G.52) define an emergency relocation and state that an assisted living facility "may remove a resident from the facility in an emergency if necessary due to a resident's urgent medical needs or an imminent risk the resident poses to the health or safety of another facility resident or facility staff member."
Frontline Workers Receive State Bonus Checks
On October 6, 2022 by Erin Huppert
Pandemic frontline workers will begin to see $487.45 in one-time bonuses from the State of Minnesota this week. Applicants who chose direct deposit of their payment should see it in their accounts in seven to ten days. People who choose to be mailed a prepaid debit card should receive them in three to four weeks.
Resident, Staff, and Visitor COVID-19 Screening
On October 6, 2022 by Kari Everson
On Sept. 23, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released updates to multiple COVID-19 infection prevention and control practices. One of the areas that required further clarification was screening practices for residents, staff, and visitors. On yesterday's call, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) clarified these practices for providers.