News

During the 2023 legislative session, policymakers recognized a need to establish the Legislative Task Force on Aging to address Minnesota’s growing elderly population, elders with disabilities, and a rapidly declining workforce. This task force met for the second time on Sept. 12, 2023.

Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) will launch Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) phase four for Medicare-certified home health providers on Oct. 16.

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) has decided to extend the application deadline for the Nursing Facility Workforce Incentive Grant Program to Friday, Sept. 15. DHS has posted a revised version of the RFP and application form for Workforce Incentive Grants on the Nursing Facility Provider Portal.

A person who is or has been a resident in an assisted living facility is sought to serve as a public member of the Home Care and Assisted Living Program Advisory Council.

On Thursday, Sept. 14, employers are invited to learn more about “Follow Your Heart to a Caring Career” – a campaign launched by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) aimed at helping providers attract, hire, and retain the workforce needed to care for the older adults and people with disabilities in Minnesota.

The Board of Executives for Long-Term Services and Supports (BELTSS) affirmed that the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) continuing education for directors of assisted living with dementia care is required by 144G, not the rules for licensed assisted living directors administered by BELTSS.

A report commissioned by the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) recommends the ongoing use of RUGs case mix, despite upcoming changes to the Minimum Data Set (MDS) from the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS).

On Friday, Aug. 28, the House and Senate Human Services Committees held a joint informational hearing to receive progress updates from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) regarding several 2023 issues, including the development of recommendations for smaller providers of assisted living services. 

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) issued a second Frequently Asked Questions document to help address some of the questions regarding the Aug. 1 payments sent to all care centers.

This morning, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) announced that as of Oct. 1, it will be implementing an Optional State Assessment (OSA) as part of the Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessment done by all care centers.

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 proposals from qualified Minnesota Medicaid-Certified Nursing Facilities interested in implementing the ResoLute Program.

The Board of Executives for Long-Term Services and Support (BELTSS) has announced the opening of Assisted Living Director licensing renewals for the months of September and October 2023. All licensees must renew their licenses.

Employers are receiving audit letters and questionnaires from the Office of the Legislative Auditor regarding those healthcare workers they employed who applied for the Frontline Worker Pay.

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) announced after a review of the interaction between the Elderly Waiver (EW) rate increase approved by the Legislature and the Elderly Waiver Customized Living Disproportionate Share program (DSH) that they will keep operating the program for 2024.

This summer, we’ll regularly highlight some of the most significant issues summarized in the 2023 Legislative Report, a benefit of membership in LeadingAge Minnesota. This week’s topic: the impacts of legalized cannabis on aging services providers.

The Minnesota Board of Pharmacy reminds long-term care providers who utilize medication carts their provider pharmacist or pharmacy is not permitted under board rules to provide goods or services for “below the cost of the service or good.”

The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry's (DLI) Labor Standards Division assists workers and employers in understanding their workplace rights and protections.

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has implemented several process changes for submitting Change of Capacity requests from assisted living settings.

Adult day services providers can offer a remote service option to clients beginning on July 1. Providers should review the requirements and take steps to receive approval from the Department of Human Services (DHS) if they choose to offer remote services.

The Department of Human Services (DHS) recently announced the updated property rate thresholds that will apply for projects after Oct. 1. There are two thresholds and two different types of property rate increase projects.