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.
Oversight and Training of Dining Services in Assisted Living
On June 9, 2021 by LeadingAge
Featuring Dawn Nickleson, Passion for Dining and Nutrition, and Jennifer Anderson, EduCare
As you begin to navigate dining and culinary services requirements in the assisted living regulation, it is essential to recognize that both the Minnesota Assisted Living License Rules and the Food Code play a role in oversight, training, and compliance.
Assisted Living Bill of Rights and the continuing right to Electronic Monitoring
On June 9, 2021 by Bobbie Guidry
The transition to Assisted Living Licensure (ALL) also brings a transition to a new Assisted Living Bill of Rights. You should provide the Bill of Rights to both new and existing residents of the facility.
At the Capitol: First Deadline Passes and Upcoming Special Session
On June 2, 2021 by Matt Steele
This week, lawmakers mainly met in private to debate the specific spending details for each budget area. The first of two self-imposed deadlines passed on Friday, May 28, without any public notice of the finalized details of the budget. The second deadline, June 4, is quickly approaching; lawmakers to agree on what policy provisions will be included in the final deal when Governor Walz calls a special session on June 14. Here is what you need to know about what is happening at the capitol this week:
DHS Conducting Two Surveys on Costs in HCBS Settings
On June 2, 2021 by Jeff Bostic
Beginning this year, the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) is now conducting two surveys on the cost of providing services in Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) settings. Both surveys are being conducted this summer and are based on random samples of providers.
Resource Tip: Life Safety Code Documentation Forms Available to Care Centers
On May 26, 2021 by Jonathan Lips
The Minnesota State Fire Marshal (SFM) Healthcare Inspections team has posted several forms that nursing facilities can use to document required inspection of certain life safety features in your buildings. During our Institute last week, SFM inspector Roy Kingsley presented a session on commonly-cited life safety code deficiencies. As part of that, he emphasized the importance of thorough documentation.
Updated Information on Provider Enrollment for Assisted Living Providers
On May 26, 2021 by Jeff Bostic
With Assisted Living Licensure taking effect on Aug. 1, those settings that provide customized living services under the DHS waiver programs need to take action to ensure continued waiver payment. This document from the Long-term Care Imperative covers various scenarios and how to proceed with updating provider enrollment. Note that we have updated this document based on some DHS comments since the version in Advantage last week.
Care Centers Asked to Make Annual Case Mix Election
On May 26, 2021 by Jeff Bostic
Care centers are asked to make an annual Case Mix Election to determine the rate for Medical Assistance and private pay residents who stay 14 days or less. Providers choose either to do a Minimum Data Set (MDS) for all such residents and bill based on that case mix or decide not to do MDS and bill at the default (DDF case mix) rate.
July 1 Housing Support Rate Increases
On May 26, 2021 by Bobbie Guidry
The annual recalculation of the Housing Support, formerly Group Residential Housing (GRH), which covers rent and raw food for eligible participants, has increased by $20 per month. The new rate of $954 will be effective July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022.
BELTSS Press Release Updates Status of LALD Applications
On May 26, 2021 by Bobbie Guidry
Earlier this week, the Board of Executives for Long-term Services and Supports (BELTSS) requested patience from Licensed Assisted Living Director (LALD) applicants, provided an update on the licensing of Assisted Living Directors, and communicated a delay in the opening of applications for AL Directors in Residence.
At the Capitol: Deadlines loom for budget details and the upcoming special session
On May 26, 2021 by Matt Steele
This week, lawmakers are approaching a May 28, self-imposed deadline to decide how to allocate the money announced in the recent budget deal by legislative leaders last Monday. Throughout the week, only one legislative committee met publicly. There have yet to be any specific spending details released by budget area. With a looming special session presumed to happen on or before June 14, here is what you need to know about what is happening at the capitol this week.
Transition to Assisted Living Notices Due Out by the End of May
On May 19, 2021 by Bobbie Guidry
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has posted flow charts to assist settings in determining what, if any, notices must be issued to current residents and clients related to the transition to assisted living licensure. Notices, if needed, must be sent by May 31.
Minnesota Legislative Session Ends with Unfinished Business
On May 19, 2021 by Kari Thurlow
The Minnesota Legislature has adjourned the 2021 regular session, hours before the constitutionally required midnight adjournment, without passing a biennial budget. Lawmakers will need a special session to finish the job. For senior care providers, there are several key priorities left unresolved at this time. We are hopeful that legislators will address these in the special session.
DHS Provides Information on Provider Enrollment for Assisted Living Providers
On May 19, 2021 by Jeff Bostic
With assisted living licensure taking effect on Aug. 1, settings that provide customized living services under the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) waiver programs wonder what steps they need to take to maintain continued waiver payment. This document from the Long-Term Care Imperative covers various scenarios and how to proceed with updating provider enrollment. Based on information from DHS, here is what needs to be done for provider enrollment after licensure:
PIPP Boot Camp Recording Available
On May 12, 2021 by Jeff Bostic
The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) has posted materials related to applying for the Performance Incentive Payment Projects (PIPP) program on the nursing facility provider portal (see the links posted about halfway down the main page). Proposals are due by July 1, with rate increases starting on Jan. 1, 2022.
At the Capitol: With Days Until Session Adjourns, Most Legislative Work Remains Unfinished
On May 12, 2021 by Matt Steele
This week, lawmakers enter the final stretch of the legislative session before adjourning on May 17 at midnight, regardless of the status of the budget. Most at the Capitol view the Monday deadline as irrelevant given several circumstances that almost guarantee that lawmakers will leave their work unfinished at the end of their constitutionally allotted time.
Reminder: DHS Grant Monies Available
On May 5, 2021 by Lori Meyer
The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS), through the Nursing Facility Rates and Policy (NFRP) Division and the State Civil Monetary Penalties (CMP) Initiative, is seeking applications from qualified Minnesota Medicaid-Certified Nursing Facilities that are interested in applying for grant funds for several project opportunities.
At the Capitol: The Legislature Begins Conference Committees as the End of Session Nears
On May 5, 2021 by Matt Steele
This week, lawmakers are starting to reconcile the differences in significant budget bills passed off the House and Senate floors in conference committees. Conference committees mark one of the final steps in the budget-making process before the bills are sent to the Governor for his approval. We expect our most important issues to be debated in conference committees in the upcoming days.
At the Capitol: The Legislature Debates the Health and Human Services Budget Proposals
On April 28, 2021 by Matt Steele
This week, lawmakers are debating the Health and Human Services (HHS) omnibus budget bills on the House and Senate floor. The proposals contain most of the policy priorities affecting the senior services sector. Here is what you need to know about each version of the bills and what the next few weeks ahead look like as we approach the end of the legislative session:
Layaway and Planned Closure Options for Addressing Low Occupancy in Care Centers
On April 28, 2021 by Jeff Bostic
The LeadingAge Minnesota and our partner in the Long-Term Care Imperative recently completed analysis of care center occupancy in 2020, which showed a historic drop due to the pandemic. While providers wait to see what happens with occupancy going forward, they do have a couple of options to address that issue.
Governor Walz Signs Bill Extending Protections for First Responders, Frontline Workers
On April 28, 2021 by Kari Thurlow
Governor Tim Walz has signed Chapter 12, HF 2253, into law, extending presumptive workers’ compensation eligibility for emergency first responders and front-line workers.
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