News
Category: State News
Welcome to the State News category. The following news items will keep you informed about state legislation, state-level advocacy and other information about aging services in Minnesota.
Prevent Diversion of Controlled Substances in Long-Term Care
On July 16, 2019 by Julie Apold
Registration is now open for the Preventing Diversion of Controlled Substances in Long-Term Care seminar on Aug. 13 in St. Paul. This 3.5-hour course will provide administrators and nursing leaders with an evidence-based overview of recommendations and best practices to prevent controlled substance diversion in their setting.
DHS Moving Forward with Consolidation of Disability Waivers
On July 16, 2019 by Jeff Bostic
The Health and Human Services budget bill that passed during the 2019 special session includes several provisions that advance a proposal known as Waiver Reimagine. Over the next several years, Waiver Reimagine will combine the four existing disability waivers under two new waivers, one for individuals living independently or with family and one for clients in residential settings.
Lourey Resigns as DHS Commissioner; Pam Wheelock Named Acting Commissioner
On July 16, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
Minnesota Department of Human Services Commissioner Tony Lourey resigned on Monday. Pam Wheelock, an experienced administrator with a career spanning the public, private and nonprofit sectors, will serve as acting commissioner.
New Requirement and Sanctions: Check and Document Exclusions List Monthly
On July 10, 2019 by Bobbie DuChamp Guidry
A new requirement effective Aug. 1 requires providers to document that they have checked the Minnesota Health Care Programs (MHCP) Excluded Group Providers and Excluded Individual Providers each month.
Dementia Resources Available through Minnesota Historical Society
On July 2, 2019 by Bobbie DuChamp Guidry
The Minnesota Historical Society has developed several offerings for adults with dementia and their caregivers. Resources, tools and community engagement opportunities for residents and clients of care centers, assisted living, and Adult Day Service include:
New Resources and Tools You Can Customize: Antibiotic Stewardship Programs
On July 2, 2019 by Sue Boyd
For long-term care infection preventions, sometimes the hardest part of Antibiotic Stewardship is just getting started. Minnesota One Health Antibiotic Stewardship Collaborative has posted new resources and tools to support Antibiotic Stewardship in Long-Term Care on the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) website.
Care Centers: Deadline to Determine QIPP Choice is July 1
On June 23, 2019 by Sue Boyd
If you are a Skilled Nursing Facility and have not selected an indicator for the 2019 Quality Improvement Incentive Payment (QIIP), time is running out! The deadline for submission of your selected quality improvement topic is 11:59 p.m. on July 1.
Reduce Childcare Shortage for Staff – Grant Opportunity
On June 23, 2019 by Jenna Kellerman
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) is seeking partners for Child Care Economic Development Grants. The grant program may provide up to $100,000 per award to help implement solutions to reduce the child care shortage in the state.
Grants Available to Launch Cycling Without Age in Care Centers
On June 18, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
Perhaps you heard about the success Bethesda in Willmar had with its Cycling Without Age program, which was recognized by LeadingAge Minnesota with a Stars Among Us award at this year’s Institute. Or maybe you have been following PioneerCare in Fergus Falls as they launch a similar program. Now, thanks to grant funding from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), up to 30 care centers will have the opportunity to start their own program and bring joy to residents, inspire relationships and create community connections.
MDH Updates Regulations for TB Control
On June 18, 2019 by Sue Boyd
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has updated the Tuberculosis (TB) regulations page for health care settings with the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance, the updated Facility Tuberculosis Risk Assessment Worksheet for Licensed Health Care Settings, and the notice of the Nationwide Shortage of Tuberculin Skin Test Antigens that includes the department’s recommendations for prioritizing tuberculin use in specific settings.
New Law: Wage Theft – What to Know and Do
On June 18, 2019 by Kari Thurlow
Wage theft occurs when employers do not pay their workers what is owed them for the work they have performed. The new Minnesota Wage Theft law that goes into effect on July 1 creates additional protections for workers, including adding criminal penalties for employers who commit wage theft.
New Law Defines and Prohibits Retaliation in Nursing Homes
On June 11, 2019 by Bobbie DuChamp Guidry
While the Elder Care and Vulnerable Adult Protection Act of 2019 focuses particularly on Assisted Living licensure, there are several sections directly affecting nursing homes. One section prohibiting retaliation in nursing homes is effective Aug. 1, 2019.
Retaliation Components of New Assisted Living Law Effective Aug. 1, 2019
On June 11, 2019 by Bobbie DuChamp Guidry
Common sense tells us that retaliation is prohibited against someone who makes a complaint or asserts their rights. The Elder Care and Vulnerable Adult Protection Act of 2019 provides additional clarity on who is protected from retaliation, in what situations they are protected, and defines what may be considered as retaliatory actions. The new requirements apply to both assisted living and nursing home settings. Nursing home providers should be sure to read the related story in this week's newsletter.
Assisted Living Licensure: “True Solutions Need True Partners,” says Governor Walz
On June 5, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
In a ceremonial bill signing that took place today during the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, Governor Tim Walz cited the collaboration that took place among stakeholders to draft legislation that will improve the lives of seniors, move Minnesota forward in assisted living licensure, and help ensure safety, respect and dignity for people as they age.
Be Prepared: MDH Releases New Assisted Living Survey Forms
On June 4, 2019 by Sue Boyd
As we have been anticipating, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Home Care and Assisted Living Program has released the new and updated survey forms for the Comprehensive and Temporary license. The forms are available on the MDH web site, and members will have a great opportunity to learn more about them and how surveyors will use them to determine your compliance at the June ALNET meetings.
MDH Presents Antibiotic Stewardship Policy Writing Workshop
On May 29, 2019 by Sue Boyd
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is sponsoring workshops in July to support long-term care settings in writing an effective antibiotic stewardship policy. The workshops, which will take place in Marshall, Duluth and Saint Paul, are most beneficial when three to four individuals from the same setting, both clinical and administrative, are able to attend together. Workshop details:
Housing Support Rate (GRH) Increases July 1
On May 29, 2019 by Bobbie DuChamp Guidry
The annual re-calculation of the Housing Support, formerly Group Residential Housing (GRH), rate that covers rent and raw food for eligible participants has resulted in an increase of $18 per month. The new rate of $922 will be effective July 1, 2019, through June 30, 2020.
Change from KEPRO to Livanta Requires Action by Medicare Providers
On May 29, 2019 by Jeff Bostic
Beginning June 8, 2019, Livanta will replace KEPRO as the Beneficiary and Family Centered Care (BFCC) Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) for Minnesota.
Survey Preparedness Tip: Life Safety Self-Inspections
On May 22, 2019 by Jonathan Lips
The first installment of LeadingAge Minnesota’s webinar series, Top 10 Life Safety Code Violations and How to Avoid Them, focused on preparing for your federal fire/life safety recertification survey.
DHS Announces Grant Opportunities for Care Centers
On May 22, 2019 by Jonathan Lips
The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) has announced two small grant programs for Medicaid-certified nursing homes with applications due by July 1.
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