News Archives
January 2026 Archives
Below is a list of all of the articles published in the selected month, ordered from most recent to least.
HUD Direction to Audit Tenant Eligibility Does Not Apply to Section 202/811 PRACs
On January 29, 2026 by Shelli Bakken
On January 23, 2026, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) posted a press release directing federally-assisted housing providers to immediately “audit” tenant eligibility based on immigration status.
HHS Issues Final Rule: Annual Inflation Adjustment to Civil Monetary Penalties
On January 29, 2026 by Mark Schulz
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has published a final rule updating its civil monetary penalty (CMP) amounts to reflect inflation, under the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015. This change ensures that penalties retain their deterrent effect by adjusting them annually based on changes in the Consumer Price Index.
CDC Preventing and Responding to Respiratory Infections
On January 29, 2026 by Kari Everson
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Project Firstline offered a webinar on Tuesday focused on preventing and responding to respiratory infections and outbreaks in long-term care. During the webinar they covered approaches to recognizing illness early, testing, treatment, vaccination, and infection prevention and control (IPC).
Resources to Support Your Organization and Community Amid Immigration Enforcement
On January 29, 2026 by Anna Mowry
As communities across Minnesota respond to increased immigration enforcement activity and related events, many organizations are navigating heightened concern, questions, and uncertainty. To support members during this time, LeadingAge Minnesota has developed and compiled a set of resources designed to help organizations prepare, respond thoughtfully, and communicate with care.
The SNF Validation Program: When Data Integrity Becomes a Measure of Trust
On January 29, 2026 by LeadingAge Minnesota
For years, skilled nursing facilities (SNF) operated in a system where data submitted through the Minimum Data Set (MDS) was largely accepted at face value. Facilities reported, measures were calculated, and reimbursement and public reporting followed. That is ending.
Get to Know Kelly Conrad, LAMN’s New Director of Assisted Living Services
On January 22, 2026 by LeadingAge Minnesota
We hope you get to meet Kelly at LeadingAge Minnesota’s 2026 Institute next month! In the meantime, here are five things to know about our new director of assisted living services:
DHS Issues Additional Guidance for Providers in High-Risk Service Categories
On January 22, 2026 by Kelly Conrad
DHS announced this week that, in addition to the provider enrollment freeze for what they have deemed 13 high-risk categories, all claims submitted for services within these categories will be suspended pending pre-payment review. DHS also confirmed high-risk providers will be subject to an off-cycle revalidation process.
Vista Prairie at Ridgeway Names New Executive Director
On January 15, 2026 by LeadingAge Minnesota
Vista Prairie Communities is pleased to announce the promotion of Lacie Lampman to Executive Director of Vista Prairie at Ridgeway.
New Year, New Grants
On January 15, 2026 by Gina DiMaggio
Is this your year to secure new grant funding? We’ve just updated our members-only Grant Grid with five new funding opportunities and now is a great time to take a look.
Immigrant Visa Processing Paused for Applicants From 75 Countries
On January 15, 2026 by Anna Mowry
Yesterday, Jan. 14, the U.S. State Department announced a pause on immigrant visa processing for applicants from 75 countries, a change that may affect some employment-based green card cases used by long-term care providers to recruit international health care professionals. The pause is scheduled to take effect on Jan. 21.
Nursing Home Care Compare iQIES Transition Update
On January 15, 2026 by Julie Apold
CMS has recently moved nursing home survey and certification data into its new cloud-based system, iQIES (Internet Quality Improvement and Evaluation System). While this modernization is intended to improve data quality and reliability, the transition has resulted in data discrepancies that may be visible on Nursing Home Care Compare.
UCARE Under Court Ordered “Rehabilitation”
On January 15, 2026 by Jeff Bostic
Late last year, health insurer UCARE announced that due to mounting financial losses they would be shutting down operations. They are now officially in court ordered “rehabilitation” which has put MDH in charge of all UCARE operations.
DHS to Freeze Certain Provider Enrollments
On January 15, 2026 by Kelly Conrad
As the state continues to battle both substantiated and alleged claims of Medicaid fraud, DHS has announced a freeze on new provider enrollments in 13 categories of Medicaid-funded services as part of efforts to strengthen program integrity and address Medicaid fraud.
DHS Unable to Post Annual Cost Report on the Portal, Alternative Process to be Used this Year
On January 15, 2026 by Jeff Bostic
Due to IT issues at DHS, the annual nursing home cost report for the report year ending September 30, 2025, is not yet available on the Nursing Facility Provider Portal. Given that the due date of February 1 is coming up, DHS is implementing an alternative process for collecting the data this year.
Using Minnesota Report Card Surveys Across State Lines: A Vista Prairie Quality Improvement Story
On January 8, 2026 by Julie Apold
In 2024, Vista Prairie Communities expanded the use of the Minnesota Resident Quality of Life and Family Satisfaction Surveys to three of their assisted living communities in Wisconsin and Iowa in partnership with Vital Research.
Claims Processing Updates for Adult Day Services Members
On January 8, 2026 by Bobbie Guidry
DHS this week provided updates regarding claims processing related to their November announcement of the State contracting with Optum, a third-party vendor, to conduct prepayment reviews of the 14 high-risk Medicaid services named in the executive order issued by Governor Walz.
Communication Templates to Support Your Community Amid Immigration Enforcement
On January 8, 2026 by Anna Mowry
As communities across Minnesota respond to increased immigration enforcement activity and related events, many organizations are navigating heightened concern, questions, and uncertainty. To support members, LeadingAge Minnesota is sharing communication templates designed to help organizations respond thoughtfully and compassionately.