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.
Care Center Staffing Ratings Under Scrutiny
On July 10, 2018 by Jodi Boyne
The New York Times recently published an article (‘It’s Almost Like a Ghost Town.’ Most Nursing Homes Overstated Staffing for Years. July 7, 2018) that calls into question staffing levels in nursing homes. The article cites data analyzed by Kaiser Health News that nursing homes submit to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) each quarter via the Payroll-Based Journal (PBJ) system, as well as staffing data that facilities previously submitted annually using the CMS-671 form.
55 Organizations Using OnTrack Nursing Assistant Training
On July 10, 2018 by Jenna Kellerman
OnTrack Nursing Assistant Training has been available for seven months and now has 55 organizations enrolled. Of those 55 organizations, 16 have been approved by the Minnesota Department of Health and 39 are in the application process.
Care Centers: Improve Your 5-Star Rating with Quality Apex
On July 10, 2018 by Julie Apold
Are you looking for ways to boost your organization’s performance or 5-Star rating? Quality Apex is an affordable, secure, web-based analytics tool that translates your most current MDS 3.0 data into actionable information to improve quality and outcomes.
Care Center Financial Struggles Continue in Age of Value-Based Reimbursement
On June 26, 2018 by Jeff Bostic
The Long-Term Care Imperative's annual nursing facility financial indicators survey shows a continued a trend of improvement that started in 2016, largely due to the new Value-Based Reimbursement (VBR) system that began on Jan. 1, 2016. Despite the improvement, the data makes clear that providers continue to face significant financial challenges.
Salary Survey Deadline Extended to July 27
On June 26, 2018 by Jeff Bostic
The deadline for our annual salary survey has been extended to July 27. By taking time today to complete this important survey, you will receive two free reports that will help you judge the competitiveness of your compensation program in this dynamic job market.
90% Pass Rate for OnTrack Nursing Assistant Students
On June 26, 2018 by Jenna Kellerman
OnTrack Nursing Assistant Training has been available for six months and has enrolled 120 students to date. Based on student outcomes, OnTrack is providing quality training: State Exam results are trending 6 percent higher than the statewide average, with a 90 percent overall pass rate.
A Focus on Falls Prevention: Join the New Assisted Living Learning & Improvement Collaborative
On June 19, 2018 by Julie Apold
Falls are one of the top categories of substantiated OHFC reports in Home Care/Assisted Living settings in Minnesota. Members should be taking the necessary steps to prevent falls in their community. Our new Assisted Living Fall Prevention Learning & Improvement Collaborative will give you the tools you need to implement an effective falls prevention program and reduce costs for your organization.
OnTrack: State Exam Results Trending 6% Higher than Statewide Average
On June 19, 2018 by Jenna Kellerman
OnTrack Nursing Assistant Training has been available for nearly six months and has enrolled 106 students to date! Find out what everyone is raving about – call 651.425.1110 to schedule your OnTrack demo today.
CMS Intends to Reverse Policy on Liquid Oxygen for Existing Buildings
On June 19, 2018 by Jonathan Lips
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) intends to issue guidance clarifying that existing care centers may store and use liquid oxygen in resident rooms without having to meet a fire-resistance enclosure rating.
Tax Reform Implications for Nonprofit Providers
On June 12, 2018 by Jodi Boyne
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that went into effect on Jan.1, 2018 affects nonprofits both operationally and in their fundraising strategies.
DHS Announces New Process to Improve Accuracy of QIIP Scores and Incentive Payments
On June 12, 2018 by Jeff Bostic
As we reported a few weeks ago, care centers are currently being asked by the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) to select a QIIP goal by June 30 for the rate year beginning Jan.1, 2020.
Post Open Positions to the New Job Board
On June 12, 2018 by Jenna Kellerman
The new AgingServicesJobs.Org platform has launched! Want to trial the site by posting a job for free? The first 25 members to contact Jenna Kellerman will get a free promo code to post their next open position!
Assisted Living Learning & Improvement Collaborative on Fall Prevention - Register Today!
On June 4, 2018 by Julie Apold
It is estimated that up to 50 percent of individuals residing in assisted living experience one or more falls annually, and between 10 percent – 25 percent of these falls result in serious injuries requiring medical attention. In addition, falls is one of the top categories of substantiated OHFC reports in Home Care/Assisted Living settings in Minnesota. Implementing an effective falls prevention program in the assisted living setting has the potential to reduce falls, improve quality of life and reduce costs for your organization.
Elderly Waiver Provider Cost Survey Deadline Extended
On June 4, 2018 by Jeff Bostic
The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) has extended to deadline to complete the Elderly Waiver (EW) provider cost survey to Monday, June 11. The survey is an important step toward establishing the need for rate reforms, and we strongly encourage all members to participate.
CMS Clarifies Requirements for Electronic Visit Verification
On May 29, 2018 by Bobbie Guidry
Settings providing Customized Living services including Housing with Services, Assisted Living and Adult Foster Care, are not subject to Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) according to a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document issued last week by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and verified by Argentum and the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS). DHS also clarified that those settings are not required to complete the recent survey sent by the department on the topic.
OnTrack Nursing Assistant Training Results
On May 29, 2018 by Jenna Kellerman
The OnTrack Nursing Assistant Training has been launched for nearly six months and has enrolled 49 sites to date! Find out what everyone is raving about – call 651.425.1110 to schedule your OnTrack demo today.
Veto of Supplemental Budget Bill Means Cut for Disability Waiver Rates on July 1
On May 29, 2018 by Jeff Bostic
One significant impact of Governor Dayton’s veto of the supplemental budget bill is a cut to rates in the Disability Waiver Rate System (DWRS) effective July 1.
Governor Vetoes Eldercare Protection, DWRS Funding
On May 23, 2018 by Kari Thurlow
UPDATE: 11:45 am - GOVERNOR DAYTON VETOES ELDERCARE PROTECTION
Governor Dayton vetoed the omnibus supplemental budget bill, which included significant policy reforms on eldercare protection, revisions to the home care law and funding to prevent a cut in DWRS rates.
In Final Days of Session, Providers Still Seek to Prevent Maltreatment, Protect Seniors
On May 16, 2018 by Libbie Chapuran
The 2018 Legislative Session is coming to an end, and legislation to protect vulnerable adults from maltreatment is still on the table.
2018 Salary Survey Underway
On May 15, 2018 by Jeff Bostic
Are you looking for ways to judge the competitiveness of your compensation program in this dynamic job market? Here’s one way: Complete our annual salary survey.