News

Under regulations enacted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) hazardous waste pharmaceuticals may not be sewered (flushed or poured down a drain) for disposal after Aug. 21, 2019. 

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) this week issued an update that addresses changes to the Home Care Bill of Rights that went into effect Aug. 1. MDH is working on updating each version of the Home Care Bill of Rights with the changes and will post them on its website when they are available. In the meantime, MDH is directing providers to the following notice to Home Care Providers to guide distribution of the new Bill of Rights language: 

Quality improvement projects developed by Health Support Specialists from Avera Marshall, Three Links, Traverse Care Center and Regent at Burnsville were recently selected as the winners of the ICan Innovation Contest.   

At the request of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is now publishing a list of nursing homes in each state that are candidates for “Special Focus Facility” (SFF) status. For many years CMS has published a list of facilities that currently hold SFF designation, and that monthly publication now includes the names of facilities at risk of being designated.  

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) has posted for public comment the third round of evidentiary packages for Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) settings. This batch includes settings that have been identified as Prong 3 and includes Adult Day, Customized Living and Foster Care providers.  

It’s happening in less than 60 days. The new Patient Driven Payment Model (PDPM) goes into effect on Oct. 1. Are you prepared for this major change in how you document and are reimbursed for care?  

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has issued Information Bulletin 19-03 informing the public about the home care and assisted living protections strengthened by the Minnesota Legislature as part of the Elder Care and Vulnernable Adult Protection Act of 2019. 

Recognition is the greatest motivator! We are launching a Recognition Challenge as part of our Safe Care for Seniors program. Between now and Sept. 15, we challenge you to nominate individuals and/or staff teams in your setting for a Make Zero Harm Possible award. 

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) earlier this week released the final Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Payment Rule, which is the last step before implementation of the new Patient-Driven Payment Model (PDPM) that will take effect on Oct. 1. In addition to transitioning to the new case mix system, the Oct. 1 rates also include an inflation update of 2.4%. The rule makes few changes from the proposed rule that come out earlier this year, but it does finalize a definition of group therapy that allows up to six clients to be part of a treatment group as well as updating some requirements around ICD-10 coding that is a major driver of rates under PDPM.  

Nominations are now open for two elected Director-at-Large positions on the LeadingAge Minnesota Board of Directors. The Nominating Committee is also accepting nominations for Lifetime Honorary Memberships. 

The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published a final rule on arbitration agreements that nursing facilities must meet to participate in the Medicare and Medicaid programs.

The Minnesota Board of Examiners for Nursing Home Administrators (BENHA) has developed a Rules Development Team, which held its first meeting last week, to facilitate rulemaking for the licensure of Assisted Living Directors. 

Several elements of the new Elder Care and Vulnerable Adult Protection Act of 2019 take effect on Aug. 1, including retaliation protections, new fines, a maltreatment compensation fund, revisions to the Home Care Bill of Rights and the new Health Services Executive license. The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has not released guidance on many of these provisions at this time.  

Nominations are now open for two elected Director-at-Large positions on the LeadingAge Minnesota Board of Directors. The Nominating Committee is also accepting nominations for Lifetime Honorary Memberships. 

As we reported last week, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced a proposed rule that would lighten some regulatory burdens for nursing facilities and delay implementation of certain Phase 3 requirements. 

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced a proposed rule that would lighten some regulatory burdens for nursing facilities and delay implementation of certain Phase 3 requirements. 

Nearly 450 LeadingAge Minnesota member sites have taken the Safe Care for Seniors Pledge and committed to the 5-Step Action Plan! Don’t be left behind. Register today for the Aug. 5 Safe Care for Seniors Workshop and take your first step on a safety and quality journey that will benefit all who live and work in your setting. 

Senator and presidential candidate Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) last week announced A Plan for Seniors, a comprehensive plan that tackles Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, enhances health care and retirement security, reduces prescription drug prices, supports a world-class long-term care workforce, and combats senior fraud and abuse.  

Nominations are now open for two elected Director-at-Large positions on the LeadingAge Minnesota Board of Directors. The terms begin on Jan. 1, 2020 and run for three years with eligibility for re-election to a second, three-year term.  

Did you take the Safe Care for Seniors pledge and find yourself asking “now what?” Get that answer and more at our final in-person Safe Care for Seniors workshop on Monday, Aug. 5 in Saint Paul. Register Today!