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.
Changes and Clarifications to the Knowledge Test for Nurse Aide Candidates
On October 6, 2022 by Anna Mowry
As of Oct. 3, nurse aide candidates have a maximum of two hours to complete the knowledge test and have up to four chances to pass the knowledge test. We have answers to several frequently asked questions about the nurse aide test.
FAQ on Assisted Living Contracts Added to MDH Website
On October 6, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry
A section on Assisted Living Contracts was recently added to the FAQ section of the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Assisted Living webpage. Included are responses to questions on liability waivers, renter's insurance, and arbitration provisions posed by providers.
Emergency Relocation for Assisted Living – Definition and Requirements
On October 6, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry
The assisted living statutes (144G.52) define an emergency relocation and state that an assisted living facility "may remove a resident from the facility in an emergency if necessary due to a resident's urgent medical needs or an imminent risk the resident poses to the health or safety of another facility resident or facility staff member."
Frontline Workers Receive State Bonus Checks
On October 6, 2022 by Erin Huppert
Pandemic frontline workers will begin to see $487.45 in one-time bonuses from the State of Minnesota this week. Applicants who chose direct deposit of their payment should see it in their accounts in seven to ten days. People who choose to be mailed a prepaid debit card should receive them in three to four weeks.
Still Time to Apply for EW Customized Living Disproportionate Share Program
On September 29, 2022 by Jeff Bostic
Providers have until the end of this week to submit the application form for the Elderly Waiver Customized Living (EWCL) Disproportionate Share Program for 2023. This is the program's second year, which provides a floor rate for EWCL providers serving a high percentage of waiver clients. DHS also recently announced that for 2023 the floor rate per resident day would increase from $119 to $131.
New AL License Requirement Added for Renewals After August 1, 2022
On September 29, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry
An announcement from MDH of a new assisted living license requirement has caused some confusion among providers who have just completed their first AL license renewal. The new provision applies to AL licenses renewed beginning August 1, 2022 and requires evidence showing that at least one resident was served during the previous licensing period to the renewal process.
Care Centers to Select New QIIP Goals
On September 29, 2022 by Jeff Bostic
DHS announced in August that they had opened the selection process for all care centers in the Medical Assistance program to select a new goal to work on for another round of the Quality Improvement Incentive Payment Program (QIIP). Each year, based on their progress toward the goal they select, care centers receive a rate increase of $0 to $3.50 per resident day for QIIP.
Check your MNITS Mailbox if you are a HCBS Provider: Revalidation in Process
On September 29, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry
The revalidation process has begun for providers enrolled with DHS as a Home and Community Based Service (HCBS) provider which includes waiver services for Adult Day Services, Assisted Living (Customized Living), as well as Home Health Agencies.
Customized Living Quality Improvement Grant Announced
On September 22, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry
A Request for Proposal is now available for the Customized Living Quality Improvement Grant Program (CL QI). Through its Aging and Adult Services Division, the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) is seeking proposals from qualified providers by Dec. 5.
Get Out the Vote! Absentee Voting Starts This Week
On September 22, 2022 by Erin Huppert
In Minnesota, voters can apply for and receive absentee ballots starting this week. Absentee voting, also known as early voting, is an easy way to ensure that you can cast your vote if you don't know your schedule for Election Day.
Nurse Aide Candidates Will Have Four Chances to Pass the Knowledge Exam Beginning Oct. 3
On September 15, 2022 by Anna Mowry
Beginning Oct. 3, Nurse Aide Registry candidates will have up to four chances to pass the knowledge exam until March 2023.
Reminder: Keep Transitioning Temporary Nurse Aides Working Under the 1135 Waiver
On September 8, 2022 by Anna Mowry
Nurse aides hired or who worked during the 1135 waiver have until Oct. 6 to be placed on the Minnesota Nursing Assistant Registry.
Two-Hour Time Limit for Nursing Assistant Knowledge Exam Begins Oct. 3
On September 1, 2022 by Anna Mowry
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has announced that nurse aide registry candidates will have up to two hours for the knowledge exam beginning Oct. 3.
Funding Available for Dementia Care Training
On September 1, 2022 by Lori Meyer
The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) has several openings for Minnesota Medicaid-Certified Nursing Facilities interested in participating in an online Dementia Care staff training program.
Two-Hour Nursing Assistant Knowledge Exam Time Limit Returns
On August 25, 2022 by Anna Mowry
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) will extend the time limit for the nursing assistant state knowledge exam from one hour back to two hours in response to feedback from nurse aide training programs around the state.
Adult Day Service Providers Continue to Develop
On August 25, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry
According to the Department of Human Services, a net total of 13 adult day programs closed from 2021 to the midpoint of this year. The availability of adult day services as our state ages is increasingly essential to promote quality of life and health.
Variance Request Required for 24-Hour Staffing Rule in Assisted Living
On August 18, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry
If your assisted living setting satisfies the 24-hour staffing rule by utilizing staff from another licensed setting, you must request a variance from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) to remain in compliance with assisted living requirements.
LeadingAge Minnesota Partners with MDH to Pilot In-Facility Nursing Assistant Testing in Member Settings
On August 18, 2022 by Anna Mowry
LeadingAge Minnesota members, in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), are helping expand nursing assistant testing opportunities throughout Minnesota by piloting in-facility testing in their settings.
Now Open! 2024 Rate Year QIIP Selection Process for Care Centers
On August 11, 2022 by Jeff Bostic
The annual selection process for the Quality Improvement Incentive Payment (QIIP) program is now open. In the QIPP program, care centers participating in Medicaid are eligible for a rate increase of up to $3.50 per resident day based on their performance improvement on a single quality measure.
MDH Develops Helpful Video Series
On August 4, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry
The Health Regulation Division (HRD) at the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) recently released two brief videos to help assisted living providers understand regulatory expectations and prepare for their next survey.
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