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.
Reminder: Keep Transitioning Temporary Nurse Aides Working Under the 1135 Waiver
On September 15, 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 By Lori Meyer on Sept. 1, 2022
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.
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.
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.
New Survey Data: Top Cited Deficiencies from Nursing Home Recertification Surveys
On August 4, 2022 by Jonathan Lips
The information available from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Quality, Certification and Oversight Reports (QCOR) database shows that the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has completed 127 nursing facility recertification surveys during the federal fiscal year-to-date. There is some lag time in survey data entry, so the actual current total of surveys conducted is somewhat higher. Here's a sampling of the data:
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.
DHS Releases Application for 2023 Elderly Waiver Customized Living Disproportionate Share Program
On August 4, 2022 by Jeff Bostic
DHS recently released the application form for the Elderly Waiver Customized Living (EWCL) Disproportionate Share Program for 2023. 2022 is the second year of the program, which provides a floor rate of $119 per resident day for their EWCL clients in 2023. The Legislature made some changes to the program that start this year, including:
2022 Legislative Session Report Now Available
On July 21, 2022 by Erin Huppert
Though the Minnesota Legislature adjourned this year with unfinished business, including a failure to provide funding for wage increases for aging services caregivers, a small number of bills were signed into law.
Renew Your Assisted Living License This Week to Avoid Fines
On July 18, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry
Current assisted living licenses expire on July 31. Beginning Monday, Aug. 1, assisted living facilities operating without a license will be fined $250 per day.
DHS Conducting Survey on Waiver Reimagine
On July 14, 2022 by Jeff Bostic
Earlier this week, the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) released a survey to get input on their Waiver Reimagine effort. Waiver Reimagine is designed to combine the current four disability waivers into two. Under Waiver Reimagine, the current waivers, based on the type of disability, would be replaced with waivers based on the type of service received (living independently vs. residential).
Effective July 1, certain products containing THC are now legal in Minnesota.
On July 7, 2022 by Erin Huppert
One of the final bills to clear the Legislature in May contained a little-debated provision with potentially significant implications. Beginning on Friday, July 1, Minnesotans aged 21 and older can purchase liquids and consumable goods containing small amounts of cannabidiols (CBD) and/or THC. THC is the ingredient in cannabis that produces a “high.”
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 LeadingAge
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.
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.
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.
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.