News

Join us on Thursday, May 28 at 12:30 p.m. for a recap of the 2020 legislative session. Our team will review the outcomes of the unprecedented session and share information about what to expect next. 

The most-recent Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) update to COVID-19 Emergency Declaration Blanket Waivers for Health Care Providers (see pp. 25-27) includes waivers of a few life safety code provisions that may reduce disruption of patient care and potential exposure/transmission of COVID-19.  In all cases, it will be important to consider these waivers in the context of your existing life safety policies, procedures and plans.  

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) posted a list of awards of emergency response grant recipients who received almost $100 million in state funds to prepare for and respond to the outbreak of COVID-19. 

In a press release and memo to state officials on May 18, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) outlines critical steps that nursing homes and communities should take prior to relaxing protective restrictions currently in place and identifies factors state officials should consider in deciding when it is safe to re-open. While the guidance is specific to nursing homes, it may serve as a foundation for decisions affecting housing with services and assisted living communities as well.  

The COVID-19 pandemic upended the 2020 legislative session, resulting in legislative breaks, remote hearings, limited public engagement and challenges to the governor’s peacetime emergency executive powers. The difficulties culminated to an inconclusive finish at midnight on May 18. Governor Walz will likely call the Legislature back on June 12 in order to extend his current peacetime emergency authority. 

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) recently announced the imminent launch of a new program to pay enhanced rates to Customized Living providers who have a confirmed case of COVID-19 (residents or staff) in their setting.  

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on May 1 released an interim final rule containing new nursing home requirements for reporting COVID-19 data. We have prepared a summary of the rule (updated May 5), which directs facilities to report information to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) through the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) system and to notify residents, resident representatives and families of COVID-related information.  

During its April 22 COVID-19 call, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) noted that Stratis Health would be working with selected nursing homes to assess COVID-19 readiness – as a supplement to the infection control focused surveys MDH is doing around the state. 

Alternative Adult Day Services received federal approval last week. The Minnesota Department of Human Services has released Bulletin 20-25-01 to provide guidance on Alternative Adult Day Services. These services include:  

As testing COVID-19 testing ramps up in Minnesota, many providers have requested guidance about when and how employers can require their employees to undergo testing. 

Efficiently and effectively train caregivers using the new Basic Care Aide Curriculum from EduCare – available at no cost to all providers in Minnesota. 

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has issued guidance and clarification relating to nursing assistant training requirements, providing flexibility on hiring and training practices for caregivers in skilled nursing facilities during the COVID-19 emergency. Today we provide clarification on what this means for providers and share news of a new Basic Care Aide position we are creating with a FREE curriculum for members.  

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced in an April 19 Quality, Safety & Oversight memo (QSO-2026-NH) that nursing homes will soon be subject to two new reporting requirements – submitting communicable disease data to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and providing COVID-related notifications to residents and resident representatives.

It has been five weeks since COVID-19 came into our lives – five weeks that for many of you probably seem like a lifetime. As new information and guidance pours in nearly every day, I know you have been working with a profound sense of urgency to keep your residents safe and to ensure that their lives, even without visits from family or opportunities to engage in the day-to-day activities of community, are full of love and human connection. 

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) yesterday posted an RFP for $150 million in funding for providers to prepare for and respond to the outbreak of COVID-19. Members are strongly encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible. 

Several new resources are available to help your organization recruit displaced workers as COVID19 exacerbates the pre-existing workforce crisis.   

The recently completed Long-Term Care Imperative Housing with Services (HWS) legislative survey showed worse results on both vacancies and turnover of staff than in 2018. The data from this survey is from 2019, so it does not show the likely significant impact of the current COVID-19 statewide emergency on the workforce situation. Key results of the survey include:  

Elder Voice Family Advocates has expressed their thanks and appreciation to those on the front line of keeping seniors safe during COVID-19. 

In the past week, LeadingAge MN has added 5 new tools to our COVID-19 Resource Library focused on surge assessment and preparation, cohorting, dementia care and facemasks. We have also updated two key resources: confirmed case containment checklist and managing a resident admission from a hospital decision tree.   

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) last week issued a Proposed Rule that provides updates about the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) PPS rates that will take effect Oct. 1, 2020. CMS will follow up with a final rule on the Oct. 1 rates around Aug. 1.