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.
Policy Change Made to Assisted Living Resident Privacy Rights
On June 30, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry
Lawmakers included a change to the Assisted Living Resident Bill of Rights in the Health and Human Services Policy Bill that passed in the final days of the 2022 legislative session, which requires potential documentation for affected residents.
COVID-19 Testing: Resource Roundup and MDH Upcoming Changes
On June 30, 2022 by Kari Everson
Testing residents and staff for COVID-19 became a standard throughout the pandemic, and guidance frequently changed, which gives way to uncertainty on current guidance and recommendations for testing requirements, test interpretation, and test procurement.
Updates on DHS Background Studies
On June 30, 2022 by Jonathan Lips
As we have shared earlier, the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) website now confirms the extension of the July 2 deadline by which employees with emergency background studies must clear fingerprint-based studies until the end of the year. Individuals who received emergency studies must have a fully compliant study by Dec. 31 to continue working after that date. Information about emergency studies and ongoing updates about the transition from emergency studies to full compliance.
MDH Safety Science Orientation Session Registration
On June 23, 2022 by Julie Apold
The Health Regulation Division (HRD) of the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is holding a virtual Safety Science Orientation session on July 11 from 9 a.m. to noon. Providers and stakeholders who attend will learn more about a new method HRD will use to evaluate past critical incidents at a deeper level to discover issues, gaps and opportunities to improve systems and outcomes.
Tune In: MDH Testing Resource Updates and Webinars
On June 23, 2022 by Jonathan Lips
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is hosting two webinars to provide updates for aging services providers about COVID-19 PCR testing resources.
Nurse Assistant Testing Availability for the Coming Weeks
On June 23, 2022 by Anna Mowry
Minnesota State and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) are communicating updates to LeadingAge Minnesota regarding the status of nursing assistant test sites as test sites around the state continue to open and increase their capacity.
Nurse Assistant Testing Availability for June
On June 16, 2022 by Anna Mowry
Minnesota State and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) are communicating updates to LeadingAge Minnesota regarding the status of nursing assistant test sites as they continue to open and increase their capacity.
DEED Announces Grant Recipients to Help Internationally Trained Healthcare Professionals Become Certified in Minnesota
On June 16, 2022 by Anna Mowry
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) announced the grant recipients of the Internationally Trained Professionals Competitive Grant Program, a program to help internationally trained healthcare workers earn healthcare licensures in Minnesota.
Nursing Education Programs in Minnesota Have Openings for the Fall Semester
On June 16, 2022 by Anna Mowry
Minnesota State’s HealthForce Center of Excellence has created a new Nursing Program Openings webpage to show which colleges and universities around Minnesota have available seats in their nursing programs for the Fall 2022 semester.
DHS Continues to Work on Delayed Care Center Rate Notices for Rural Providers
On June 16, 2022 by Jeff Bostic
This week, the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) updated us on the status of care center rate notices for the year that began on Jan. 1. While metro-area care center rate notices went out a little over a month ago, most rural care center notices have not gone out. Many of them are still not close to being finalized.
Continuing Education Requirements for Directors of Assisted Living with Dementia Care
On June 9, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry
The requirements for assisted living directors of settings licensed as assisted living with dementia care (ALDC) have raised several questions for those seeking to keep their credentials up to date.
Nurse Assistant Testing Availability Around the State
On June 2, 2022 by Anna Mowry
Minnesota State and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) are communicating updates to LeadingAge Minnesota regarding nursing assistant test sites as they around the state continue to open and increase their capacity.
2022 PIPP Proposals Due July 1
On June 2, 2022 by Julie Apold
This year substantial changes have been made to the Performance-Based Incentive Payment Program (PIPP) to refocus the program from processes to outcomes and allow providers more flexibility.
HCBS Capacity-Building Grants Offered By DHS
On June 2, 2022 by Terri Foley
Grants of up to $50,000 are being offered by the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) for Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) in rural and underserved communities. Click here for the RFP.
No Hospitality Fees for Assisted Living Licensed Facilities
On June 2, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry
At a meeting this week with the Food, Pools, and Lodging Services (FPLS) Section of the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), regulators clarified that a licensed assisted living facility is not required to pay a hospitality fee. If you received a bill for the hospitality fee, please use the contact info listed to tell MDH that your setting is licensed as assisted living.
Elderly Waiver Disproportionate Share Changes Expand Eligibility
On May 26, 2022 by Jeff Bostic
One of the provisions of the Health and Human Services policy bill that passed on the last night of the session made revenue-neutral revisions to the Elderly Waiver Customized Living (EWCL) disproportionate share program for the 2023 calendar year and beyond.
Remote Adult Day Services Incorporated by MN Legislature as an Available Service
On May 26, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry
On Sunday evening, the Minnesota Legislature passed a provision as part of its Health and Human Services Policy bill to allow remote adult day as a service.
Legislative Changes Impact Assisted Living Providers
On May 26, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry
The 2022 legislative session in Minnesota has come to a close. Although our advocacy for funding to support assisted living providers continues, the Minnesota Legislature passed several policy changes affecting assisted living providers.
Openings for Nursing Assistant Testing
On May 19, 2022 by Anna Mowry
Minnesota State and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) are communicating updates to LeadingAge Minnesota regarding nursing assistant test sites as test sites around the state continue to open and increase their capacity.
DHS seeking to provide Capacity Grants for Rural and Underserved Communities
On May 19, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry
Through its Grants, Equity, Access, and Research Division, the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) is seeking Home and Community-Based Service (HCBS) providers or organizations interested in becoming HCBS providers to support older adults and people with disabilities. This grant aims to increase the number and ability of HCBS service providers in rural and underserved communities. Information is due by June 13.