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.
Institute & Expo: Regular Registration Fees End Next Week
On January 29, 2026 by Sharon Hollister
The 2026 Institute & Expo – Change Makers – is less than two weeks away, Feb. 11-12 in St. Paul. It’s two days of nonstop education for everyone on your team, plus the largest aging services expo in the region, special events, and valuable connections with peers.
Reserve Your Tickets for Feb. 10 Stars Among Us Awards Banquet
On January 29, 2026 by Barbara Landeen
You're invited to join us for an unforgettable evening celebrating the people who make aging services extraordinary.
2026 ICan Quality Improvement Contest Is Here!
On January 29, 2026 by Julie Apold
Is quality improvement or staff retention on your 2026 to-do list? Then don’t miss the kickoff of the 2026 ICan Quality Improvement Contest!
What HUD Providers Should Know if There is a Partial Federal Government Shut Down
On January 29, 2026 by Shelli Bakken
As the January 30 funding deadline for Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations nears, we are monitoring federal agency activities and potential impact on providers to help members navigate a government shutdown, should one come to pass.
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).
Adult Day Services in Skilled Nursing Facilities: A Little-Known Licensing Flexibility
On January 29, 2026 by Kelly Conrad
Did you know that Minnesota law allows skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) to provide adult day services without obtaining a separate Adult Day Services license? Under Minn. R. 9555.9610, subp. 2, a licensed SNF may serve up to five individuals from the community who do not reside in the facility through an adult day program operating under the facility’s existing license.
Senator Amy Klobuchar Announces Candidacy for Minnesota Governor
On January 29, 2026 by Ben Hansen
This morning (Thursday, Jan. 29), U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar officially announced her candidacy for Governor of Minnesota, stepping into a high-profile contest to succeed outgoing Gov. Tim Walz.
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.
Senate Human Services Hearings Shed light on Minnesota’s Fraud Response
On January 29, 2026 by Erin Huppert
This week, the Minnesota Senate Human Services Committee held interim hearings on the state’s Medicaid fraud response, and its corresponding impact on access to services. This marked a return-to-work for committee chair, Senator John Hoffman, who has been recovering during the interim from multiple gunshot wounds, which he sustained in the tragic events of last summer.
Nurse Leadership Program – Registration Open
On January 22, 2026 by Sharon Hollister
New and emerging nurse leaders in skilled nursing care centers, assisted living, or home care settings will gain a solid understanding of the foundational elements that make up the nurse leader’s role by attending LeadingAge Minnesota’s Nurse Leadership Program.
Cyber Resilience and Emergency Preparation at Institute
On January 22, 2026 by Sharon Hollister
The 2026 Institute & Expo – Change Makers – is Feb. 11-12 in St. Paul. Join us for two days of nonstop education for everyone on your team, plus the largest aging services expo in the region, special events, and valuable connections with peers.
Assistive Technology and the Aging Population: Webinar
On January 22, 2026 by Bobbie Guidry
Join DHS and Minnesota Networking in Education and Assistive Technology (MN-NEAT) for the webinar, “Assistive Technology for Aging Adults,” on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026.
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:
A Unique Opportunity to Support Caregivers
On January 22, 2026 by Lori Meyer
The LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation is excited to announce our Tenth Annual Silent Auction, which will take place as part of the 2026 Institute. All proceeds from the Silent Auction go to the Gayle Kvenvold Commitment to Caregivers Fund to benefit dedicated caregivers throughout Minnesota.
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.
More Than Education: Don’t Miss These Special Institute & Expo Experiences
On January 15, 2026 by Sharon Hollister
The 2026 Institute & Expo – Change Makers – is Feb. 11-12 in St. Paul. Join us for two days of nonstop education for everyone on your team, plus the largest aging services expo in the region, special events, and valuable connections with peers.
Schwickert’s Celebrates 120 Years of Service
On January 15, 2026 by LeadingAge Minnesota
Schwickert’s Tecta America, a trusted leader in the roofing & mechanical services industries, proudly celebrates its 120th anniversary this year. This marks more than a century of commitment to the customer, delivering quality work, and impacting local communities.
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.
Call for Senior Art: Day at the Capitol
On January 15, 2026 by Kayla Khang
LeadingAge Minnesota is collecting artwork created by older adults for display during our third annual art exhibit the week of Day at the Capitol. This is an opportunity to highlight creativity, talent, and lived experience from communities across the state for legislators and policy leaders.
Looking to Grow as a Leader in 2026? Apply for Leadership Academy Today
On January 15, 2026 by Barbara Landeen
Applications for the 2026 Leadership Academy are now open through March 9. This nine-month, cohort-based program (May–November) provides high-impact, mission-aligned leadership development for emerging and mid-level leaders in aging services.
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.
Tickets Now Available: Stars Among Us Awards Banquet
On January 15, 2026 by Barbara Landeen
Join us for an unforgettable evening celebrating the people who make aging services extraordinary.
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.