News Archives
January 2023 Archives
Below is a list of all of the articles published in the selected month, ordered from most recent to least.
Emergency Preparedness Planning Series for Nursing Homes
On January 26, 2023 by Julie Apold
Superior Health Quality Alliance is offering a free nine-part emergency preparedness series on Thursdays from noon to 1 p.m.
2023 Institute & Expo – Education to Prepare for Your Next Survey
On January 26, 2023 by Sharon Hollister
Learn best practices for preparing for your next survey at the 2023 Institute & Expo. In addition to the survey-focused sessions below, many of the 21 state agency update sessions include survey findings, areas for improvement, and preparation resources.
Joining the Minnesota Geriatrics ECHO
On January 26, 2023 by Libbie Chapuran
Would you value being in a supportive cohort of Assisted Living Directors, Licensed Nursing Home Administrators, Nurse Leaders, and Medical Directors from across the state to explore challenging issues? If you're open to a candid discussion of your knowledge, questions, and experiences working with older adults, read on!
New Adult Day VA Rates Released
On January 26, 2023 by Bobbie Guidry
The Veterans' Administration (VA) released new rates for CY 2023 that are effective for care delivered on and after Feb. 1. Nationally, adult day services (ADS) rates increased by 7%, then adjusted by the location's wage index. In about ten locations, VA medical centers (VAMC) asked the VA to freeze CY 2022 rates for CY 2023, and these requests were approved; most of the locations were in Northern California.
DOL Updates Timeline for Overtime Pay Rulemaking
On January 26, 2023 by Mark Schulz
According to recent news from the White House, the federal Department of Labor (DOL) Wage and Hour Division's proposed overtime rule will now be published in May. The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking was initially slated for April 2022 but then delayed to October that year. The May goal represents a second delay.
VRBPAC to Review Covid Vaccine Proposals This Week
On January 26, 2023 by Kari Everson
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tasked its Vaccine and other Related Biologicals Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) to review proposals related to COVID-19 vaccines. Items scheduled for review include changing the primary vaccine doses to the bivalent vaccine and whether the composition and schedule for booster doses should be adjusted.
CDC Releases Enhanced Barrier Precaution Tools
On January 26, 2023 by Kari Everson
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released tools to assist nursing homes in implementing enhanced barrier precautions. The resources include an EBP webinar and PowerPoint handout, an EBP pre-implementation tool, an observation tool, an observation tool summary, and several different letter templates, all available on the website.
Required Training for Provider Enrollment and Revalidation
On January 26, 2023 by Bobbie Guidry
Providers enrolled or seeking enrollment with the State Department of Human Services (DHS) as home and community-based service providers, including waiver-paid customized living or adult day services, must include evidence of two specific trainings.
Long-Term Care Messaging Resonates with Minnesotans, According to Polls
On January 26, 2023 by Libbie Chapuran
LeadingAge Minnesota, with our partners in the Long-Term Care Imperative, conducted a statewide public opinion poll to support our legislative agenda in 2023. The poll results affirm and refine the key messages we use and help us target supporters who advocated alongside us throughout the legislative session.
$400,000 Secured to Launch a Caregiver Campaign
On January 26, 2023 by Anna Mowry
We are thrilled to announce that LeadingAge Minnesota has been awarded over $400,000 to launch a statewide campaign to recruit new caregivers.
Governor Releases Budget Proposal that Increases Elderly Waiver Rates while Giving Care Centers Almost Nothing
On January 26, 2023 by LeadingAge
This week Governor Tim Walz released his budget proposal, a mixed bag for long-term care providers. While it acknowledges and takes steps to address the underfunding of the Elderly Waiver (EW) program, it does nothing meaningful to address the staffing shortages and resulting access problems in the care center sector.
National Partner LeadingAge to Host Nursing Home Network Call on Managed Care
On January 19, 2023 by Jeff Bostic
LeadingAge, our national partner, is hosting a special edition of the Nursing Home Network on Friday, Jan. 20, at noon CST. They are soliciting feedback on the recently-proposed rules governing Medicare Advantage and Special Needs Plans practices and policies.
Reminder: Don’t Let Your Insurance Policies Lapse
On January 19, 2023 by Mark Schulz
A recent federal court case regarding a wrongful death claim is a good reminder for all providers: check the expiration dates on your insurance policies.
OSHA Civil Penalties Increase Effective Jan. 17
On January 19, 2023 by Mark Schulz
Changes to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) civil penalty amounts based on cost-of-living adjustments for 2023 went into effect on Jan. 17.
CMS Automating Process for Sending CMP Letters
On January 19, 2023 by Mark Schulz
On Jan. 17, CMS survey staff leaders notified our national partners at LeadingAge that they are automating parts of the process for creating and sending letters to nursing homes for imposed Civil Monetary Penalties (CMPs). There is no underlying CMP policy change being made.
Customizing Assisted Living Policies
On January 19, 2023 by Bobbie Guidry
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) recently reminded assisted living providers to customize all pre-written sample policies to avoid correction orders.
CMS Announces Two Quality and Safety Initiatives Related to Antipsychotic Medication
On January 19, 2023 by Kari Everson
On Jan. 18, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced two initiatives in quality and safety oversight memo 23-05-NH in response to the Biden-Harris administration effort to improve nursing home transparency, safety, and quality. CMS intends to conduct offsite nursing home audits to determine if the nursing home correctly coded diagnoses for residents using antipsychotic medication. CMS will change how citations under dispute are posted.
Gov. Walz Releases Proposed Workforce Budget; Implications for Long-Term Care
On January 19, 2023 by Erin Huppert
This morning, Governor Tim Walz released a preview of his proposed budget addressing Minnesota's workforce challenges. This preview covers a variety of sectors and includes some investments benefitting aging services.
LeadingAge Minnesota Members Pilot New Employee Engagement Solutions
On January 12, 2023 by Anna Mowry
Over 20 LeadingAge Minnesota skilled nursing facilities are piloting an employee engagement solution to improve employee retention through data-driven action.
Federal Trade Commission Proposes Rule to Prohibit Noncompete Clauses
On January 12, 2023 by Mark Schulz
On Jan. 5, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to prohibit employers from imposing noncompete clauses on workers. Noncompete clauses or agreements block people from working for a competing employer or starting a competing business after their current employment ends.
Revalidation underway for HCBS Providers (organizations beginning with S & T) – Training Available
On January 12, 2023 by Bobbie Guidry
Minnesota Health Care Programs (MHCP) sent revalidation notices at the end of December to Home and Community-Based Services (provider type 18 organizations starting with letters S and T).
Early Attention Paid to Long-Term Care Funding in Minnesota Senate
On January 12, 2023 by Kayla Khang
The Caregiver Stabilization Act (SF 7) was heard in the Senate Human Services Committee on Monday afternoon.
Adult Day Sector Still Struggling to Recover from the Pandemic
On January 12, 2023 by Jeff Bostic
LeadingAge Minnesota completed a survey of our adult day services members to evaluate their financial health and the challenges they are facing in recovering from the impacts of the Covid pandemic. The results make clear that adult day service providers face many challenges as they attempt to maintain this vital part of the network of services for the elderly and disabled.
Public Health Emergency Extended
On January 12, 2023 by Mark Schulz
The Public Health Emergency (PHE), first declared in Jan. 2020 and extended continually for 90-day periods since then, has been extended for another 90 days until April 11.
Long-Term Care Updated Surveyor Guidance Webinar Series Now Available On-Demand
On January 5, 2023 by Sharon Hollister
The 2022 Long-Term Care Updated Surveyor Guidance six-part webinar series is available on demand.
Initially recorded in the Fall of 2022, this series covers the guidance updates and what you need to do to be ready for a survey from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) guidance on minimum health and safety standards in Long-Term Care (LTC) Facilities that went into effect on Oct. 24, 2022.
Billing Trends, Strategies, and Updates for Care Centers Now Available On-Demand
On January 5, 2023 by Sharon Hollister
The 2022 Billing Trends, Strategies, and Updates for Care Centers six-part webinar series is available on demand.
Originally recorded Nov. 9-10, this series is designed to provide timely updates on critical issues that impact experienced care center billing office staff. It will cover the latest information on billing for care center services to private pay, Medicaid, Medicare, and managed care clients.
New Year, New Discount! Post Your Open Positions at a Reduced Rate
On January 5, 2023 by Anna Mowry
LeadingAge Minnesota is excited to announce that members can post their open positions on the AgingServicesJobs.org job board at a reduced rate – all year long!
OnTrack Hits Milestone – 5,000 Nursing Assistants
On January 5, 2023 by Anna Mowry
As OnTrack ended its most successful year, it reached a new milestone. Over 5,000 students have been registered with OnTrack since its launch in 2018.
2023 Leadership Academy Dates Announced, Applications Open
On January 5, 2023 by Barbara Landeen
Applications for the 2023 Leadership Academy are now open.
About Leadership Academy
Leading well through these unprecedented challenging times requires solid skills and team relationships. During their year-long program, Leadership Academy fellows learn and apply ideas, tools, principles, and theory to strengthen their leadership and foster an organizational culture to lead in normal and not-so-normal times.
Six Care Centers Apply for Moratorium Exceptions Process Funding
On January 5, 2023 by Jeff Bostic
The current round of applications for nursing facility moratorium exceptions has closed. The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) recently informed LeadingAge Minnesota that six care centers submitted proposals for this round. A review committee will hear the proposals in February, and the MDH commissioner will announce the approved projects by April 6.