News

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) held a webinar earlier this month on Feb 19^th bringing together DHS and MDH to review assisted living licensure requirements and the policies and requirements of customized living (the payment program for residents receiving financial support under medical assistance waivers).

Minnesota statute 144G.64 establishes mandatory training in dementia care, mental illness, and de-escalation for all assisted living facilities. This ensures staff are equipped to provide quality care and manage challenging situations effectively.

On Feb. 24, the Department of Human Services posted notice the issue surrounding NETStudy 2.0 not accepting payments for applications submitted on Feb. 19 has been resolved.

In assisted living settings, stock medications and conventional medication management systems are unavailable. The Minnesota Association for Geriatric Inspired Clinicians (MAGIC), created standing house orders (SHO) for assisted living organizations for the first time this year. MAGIC also updates SHO for nursing homes annually.

The Minnesota Department of Health is exploring infection prevention and control barriers in long-term care settings utilizing Collaborative Systems Change. Initial research for areas of study has concluded and focus group work will begin soon. MDH issued a gov. delivery last week that included the areas of study along with additional information about the research process.

Assisted Living licensed providers of customized living services who applied before December 31, 2023, to transition to DHS licensing as a community residential setting may qualify for a license transition support opportunity.

As of Jan. 27, 2025, the nurse aide knowledge test became available in Spanish, Somali, and Hmong, in addition to English, as allowed by Minnesota Statutes, section 144A.61.

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has contracted with All Clear Emergency Management to offer free in-person technical assistance for implementing continuity of operations planning.

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has contracted with All Clear Emergency Management to offer free in-person technical assistance for implementing continuity of operations planning.

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has launched the Employer Engagement Team to address workforce challenges by connecting employers with skilled workers, particularly in the Drive for 5 fields: caring professions, education, manufacturing, technology, and trades.

With our coldest months ahead, just a reminder that the 2023 legislature passed a law, which took effect in 2024, requiring landlords to keep their units heated to a minimum temperature of 68 degrees from Oct. 1 through April 30.

The next cycle for the Minnesota Long-Term Care Nurse Loan Forgiveness Program is now open. The program provides funds to repay qualified educational loans for eligible RNs and LPNs.

Effective Jan. 1, 2025, if your facility charges pet fees or deposits, your rental lease or contract will be required to disclose that these fees or charges are prohibited for, and do not apply to, service and support animals.

The next cycle for the Minnesota Long-Term Care Nurse Loan Forgiveness Program is now open. The program provides funds to repay qualified educational loans for eligible RNs and LPNs.

The Uniform Disclosure of Assisted Living Services and Amenities (UDALSA) is an important communication tool for providers to inform prospective residents and their families about what their Assisted Living Facility provides.

A recently released fact sheet by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration helps providers better understand and recognize the symptoms of three of the most common serious mental illnesses: schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder.

The 21st Century Cures Act, Public Law 114–255 (PDF), requires providers of personal care, including personal care assistance (PCA) and some waiver services and home health care providers to use electronic visit verification (EVV) to document that people are receiving the services that are billed to the state. Minnesota began implementing EVV on June 20, 2022.

As of Monday, Oct. 21, DHS has limited account access to NETStudy 2.0 for providers who submitted background study applications between Sept. 3 and Sept. 6, 2024; were unable to pay for those studies due to a DHS technical system issue; and have not yet paid for those studies.

Changes were made to the statutes regarding Informal Dispute Resolution (IDR) and Independent Informal Dispute Resolution (IIDR) during the 2024 legislative session.

As Minnesota high schoolers head back to school this fall, don’t forget—they have new incentives to work in long-term care.