News
Category: Featured News
Welcome to the Featured News category. The following news items include major developments in the aging services world, as well as important notifications and timely reminders.
DHS to Resume Fingerprint-Based Background Studies on October 7
On September 23, 2020 by Jonathan Lips
The MN Department of Human Services (DHS) has announced that it will return to conducting fingerprint-based background studies beginning at 6 a.m. Wed., Oct. 7, 2020, and entities will no longer
MDH, Providers Weigh Impact of CMS Revised Visitation Guidance
On September 23, 2020 by Jonathan Lips
In recognition of the physical and emotional toll that separation from family and other loved ones has taken on residents, CMS has issued
LeadingAge Minnesota 2020 Election Guide is Here
On September 16, 2020 by Kari Thurlow
Election season is upon us! Election Day is Tuesday, November 3rd, but starting this Friday (9/18) absentee ballots will be available for the
Revised DOL Regulations Regarding Paid Leave Take Effect Today
On September 16, 2020 by Kari Thurlow
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) has posted revisions to regulations that implemented the paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave provisions
CMS Nursing Home Testing Call
On September 9, 2020 by Kari Everson
CMS held a call on nursing home testing yesterday evening featuring
LeadingAge Minnesota 2021 Institute Moving to May
On September 2, 2020 by Jenny Prosser
The Executive Committee of the LeadingAge Minnesota Board of Directors has approved a significant change in our annual Institute & Expo for 2021.
CMS Nursing Home Testing Rule Takes Effect Today
On September 2, 2020 by Jonathan Lips
As all nursing homes are now aware, CMS last week issued an Interim Final Rule requiring facilities to test staff and residents for COVID-19.
New CMS Rules Will Require Nursing Homes to Test Staff for COVID-19
On August 26, 2020 by Jonathan Lips
Nursing homes will be required to test staff for COVID-19, and offer testing to residents, under an Interim Final Rule released by CMS August 25. All laboratories conducting COVID-19 testing and reporting patient-specific results
CMS Resumes Survey Activity
On August 19, 2020 by Kari Everson
On August 17, 2020 CMS released a memo, QSO-20-35-ALL, describing expansion of survey activity and new guidance around enforcement.
DHS Considering Return to Fingerprint-Based Background Studies
On August 19, 2020 by Kari Thurlow
LeadingAge Minnesota recently learned that Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) is proposing to return to fully-compliant, fingerprint-based background studies process sometime in the near future.
MDH Releases Visitation Modification Guidance Effective 8/29/20
On August 12, 2020 by Jonathan Lips
This week the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) released long-awaited recommendations on modifying visitation policies in aging services settings. The recommendations are effective August 29, 2020 and apply both to nursing homes and housing with services/assisted living settings.
Our Commitment to Positive and Lasting Social Change
On August 12, 2020 by Gayle Kvenvold
Leading Change. Changing Lives. That is more than our promise. It is our purpose. During our recent LeadingAge Minnesota Board of Directors meeting, we re-committed to positive and lasting social change through not only our words but our actions.
Adult Day: Impact of Mandated Closure on Participants and Family Caregivers
On August 5, 2020 by Roni Falck
A recent survey of LeadingAge Minnesota members illustrates the negative impact of the nearly four-month mandated closure of Adult Day Services on participants and family caregivers.
CMS Proposes to Extend Telehealth Benefits Permanently
On August 5, 2020 by Jonathan Lips
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) this week issued a proposed rule that announces and seeks public comments on proposed policy changes for Medicare Part B payments, on or after January 1, 2021. Click here for fact sheet describing the proposed rule. While policy analysts are still combing through the 1300-page proposal, several issues stand out as important for aging services providers.
CMS Posts Final Rule on Updated SNF Medicare Rates
On August 5, 2020 by Jeff Bostic
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the final version of the annual Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Payment Rule that updates rates for the second year of the Patient-Driven Payment Model (PDPM) which starts on Oct. 1. The Oct. 1 rates include an inflation update of 2.2% based on a formula in existing law.
Update on Nursing Homes Point of Care Antigen Testing Initiative
On July 29, 2020 by Jonathan Lips
We have gathered additional details about the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services’ initiative to supply rapid point-of-care antigen testing instruments and tests to nursing homes throughout the country to aid in identification and mitigation of COVID-19.
Removing Roadblocks for Nursing Assistant Applicants
On July 28, 2020 by Julie Apold
There have been reports of students who have completed Nursing Assistant training but have not yet been able to complete testing, running into roadblocks to being hired. Some of these roadblocks include applications designed to ask students for their nursing assistant registry number before being allowed to move forward in the application process, recruiters expecting applicants to be on the Nursing Assistant Registry and students being asked multiple times for copies of their certification.
Answer the Call: LeadingAge Board and Lifetime Honorary Member Nominations Open
On July 28, 2020 by Gayle Kvenvold
The 2020 LeadingAge Minnesota Nominating Committee, chaired by Mark Anderson, CEO of Knute Nelson in Alexandria, has announced that nominations are open for board members and officers of the LeadingAge Minnesota Board of Directors and for individuals eligible to elected as Lifetime Honorary Members.
Nursing Homes Need CLIA Waiver to Receive COVID Testing Equipment
On July 22, 2020 by Jonathan Lips
The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) last week announced plans to supply rapid, point-of-care testing instruments and tests to nursing homes throughout the country to aid in the fight against COVID-19.
DHS Releases Testing Reimbursement Information for Care Centers
On July 22, 2020 by Jeff Bostic
The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) will soon post information about reimbursement of COVID-19 testing costs for employees to the nursing facility portal. The new information includes a memo outlining the reimbursement policy and an updated “Form A” to submit for reimbursement of costs related to the Covid-19 state emergency, which now includes employee testing costs.
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