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.
Minnesota State Senate Majority Leader Jeremy Miller Visits Spring Valley Living
On November 3, 2022 by Dan Nelson
Last week, State Sen. Jeremy Miller (R – Winona) visited Spring Valley Living - a skilled nursing, assisted living, and independent living community in Spring Valley, Minnesota. Heather Sellers, Vice President of Patient Services for Spring Valley Living, hosted the visit. LeadingAge Minnesota staff also attended the meeting.
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.
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.
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.
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.
CDC and CMS Release Updated SARS-CoV-2 Guidance for Nursing Homes and Assisted Living
On September 29, 2022 by Kari Everson
Late on Sept. 23, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published updated COVID-19 guidance for nursing homes and assisted living. The updated guidance reflects the increased prevalence of vaccine-acquired and disease-acquired immunity. The updated information includes:
NHSN to Update Vaccine Parameters for Up-to-Date
On September 28, 2022 by Kari Everson
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated vaccine recommendations and included bivalent vaccines recently made available. They also revised the definition of up-to-date.
Resident and Family Satisfaction Surveys to Inform Assisted Living Report Card
On September 28, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry
In partnership with Vital Research, the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Minnesota Board on Aging are preparing for data collection for the Assisted Living Report Card. Assisted living directors will be informed by letter of the plans for this year's statewide assisted living resident quality of life and family satisfaction surveys in early October.
PHI Releases a New Report on the Direct Care Workforce in the U.S.
On September 15, 2022 by Anna Mowry
A new report providing insights and data on the nation's direct care workforce was recently released.
The report, Direct Care Workers in the United States: Key Facts, is released annually by PHI, which researches, supports, and promotes the nation's direct care workforce. The report includes workforce projections and demographic overviews of home care workers, residential care aides, and nursing assistants in nursing homes.
Preventing Ingestion-related Adverse Events
On September 15, 2022 by Julie Apold
LeadingAge Minnesota has recently updated a Property/Grounds Hazard Vulnerability Assessment Tool (Ingestion-related events) as a guide to conduct regular safety checks to ensure that your property and grounds are maintained in a safe and sanitary manner.
Governor Walz Announces $2.5 Million Investment to Extend the NextGen Free Nursing Assistant Training Program
On September 15, 2022 by Anna Mowry
Last week, Governor Walz announced an additional $2.5 million in American Recovery Plan funding to continue the state’s Next Generation Nursing Assistant Training Program (NextGen) until Feb. 2023.
Assisted Living Facility Capacity Changes Can Now Be Requested Throughout the Year
On September 15, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry
The Health Regulation Division (HRD) of the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) will now take requests to change the capacity of assisted living settings any time throughout the year. MDH has reversed its previous practice, which limited change of capacity requests to the time of license renewal.
CMS releases draft version of Nursing Home MDS
On September 15, 2022 by Erin Huppert
A draft version of the Minimum Data Set (MDS) Nursing Home Comprehensive Item has been released ahead of the October 2023 implementation date. The sheer volume of proposed updates means that operators and their software providers have their work cut out for them to be ready by Oct. 1, 2023.
MDH Requests a Statewide Waiver to Extend the Temporary Nurse Aide Program
On September 1, 2022 by Anna Mowry
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has requested a statewide waiver to extend the temporary nurse aide training program that is currently set to expire on Oct. 6.
$400K in Workforce Grants Available from the LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation
On August 25, 2022 by Terri Foley
To support members in addressing the significant challenges caused by the current labor shortage, the LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation is investing up to $400,000 in workforce grants. Applicants must apply by Oct. 5. The maximum award per site is $20,000. Grants are available for various purposes.
Staff Appreciation Initiatives
Grants will be awarded to thank staff teams for their continued commitment. Examples of eligible expenses include:
- Gift cards
- Free meals
- Break room improvements
- Staff recognition events
Funds cannot be used to offset wages, benefits, bonuses, or other compensation.
OnTrack Nursing Assistant Training Program Set-Up Expenses
Grants will be awarded to train high-quality direct caregivers. Examples of eligible expenses include:
- Technology
- Equipment such as mannequins
- Physical plant changes for a new or existing training room
Funds can cover nurse educators’ time for the OnTrack program set-up. Funds cannot be used for OnTrack student enrollment fees, exam fees, or student wages.
Build-Your-Own Workforce Projects
Grants will be awarded to start or expand initiatives aimed at recruitment, retention, or talent pipeline efforts. Projects can involve, for example:
- Labor-saving tools and technology
- Onboarding process improvements
- Partnerships with local schools
- Upgrading online recruiting tools
The Details
Applications are due Oct. 5 by 5 p.m. Learn more in the Request For Proposal (RFP) and apply online.
Multi-site organizations can submit applications for individual settings or combine projects across sites. An announcement of awards will be made by Dec. 1.
For questions, please contact Terri Foley, Program Office at the LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation, at tfoley@leadingagemn.org or 651-815-8137.
Assisted Living Director License Renewal Begins Sept. 1
On August 25, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry
Licensed Assisted Living Directors (LALD) are due for their first license renewal in September. The Board of Executives for Long-term Services and Supports (BELTSS), licensing board for LALDs, will issue a notice by the end of this week. It will include directions for licensees on how to renew their licenses.