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.
No-Cost Employee Engagement Survey and Training Grant Funding Available
On August 11, 2021 by Jenna Kellerman
Grant funding is available for skilled nursing facilities to implement an employee engagement strategy and improvement program through Align’s Employee Engagement Solution.
CMS approves civil money penalty (CMP) grant dollars to address employee turnover and its impact on the resident experience and quality of life in Minnesota skilled nursing facilities.
DHS announces Customized living services claims denying
On August 11, 2021 by Bobbie Guidry
Yesterday, the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) announced that they will deny claims for customized living services for dates of service on or after Aug. 1 until they have updated provider records with the new assisted living facility license requirement. They are currently updating records and anticipate completing updates by the end of the day on Aug. 12.
Required Notices and Process to Submit to OOLTC under AL Law
On August 4, 2021 by Bobbie Guidry
Under the new assisted living (AL) law, providers must submit certain notices to the Office of Ombudsman for Long-Term Care (OOLTC). A Cover Sheet for AL Notice to OOLTC has been developed to accompany every notice to OOLTC. Notices must be submitted to the fax number 651-431-7452 or emailed to ALnotices.OOLTC@state.mn.us. Do not send the notices to the Regional Ombudsman. For any questions about this cover sheet, please email ALnotices.OOLTC@state.mn.us.
Moratorium Exceptions Proposals Announced
On August 4, 2021 by Jeff Bostic
Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) recently released a list of moratorium exception project proposals submitted in the current round of that process. Thirteen providers submitted proposals, and the total one-year state Medicaid cost of those proposals is roughly $2.7 million. The current round is funded using less than one million in state funding due to previously canceled projects, so, unfortunately, less than half of the proposals can be approved.
BELTSS Licenses Over 1600 LALDs
On July 28, 2021 by Bobbie Guidry
The Minnesota Board of Executives for Long-term Services and Supports (BELTSS) received over 2,995 applications before June 30 and over 1,600 Licensed Assisted Living Directors (LALDs) were fully licensed as of July 26.
MDH Reopens Basic and Temporary Home Care License Application Process
On July 21, 2021 by Jonathan Lips
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has reopened the application process for basic and temporary home care licenses as of July 16.
Survey Forms posted for Assisted Living Licensed Settings
On July 21, 2021 by Bobbie Guidry
On Friday, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) posted the forms staff will use to conduct a survey under the new assisted living licensure laws.
Assessments Versus Monitoring: What’s the Difference?
On July 14, 2021 by Kari Everson
With the implementation of the new assisted living requirements on Aug. 1, organizations are attempting to work out their policies and processes related to assessments and ongoing review and monitoring. A comprehensive assessment, with the items listed as required in the uniform assessment tool, must be offered to all residents moving into an assisted living. The resident has the option to refuse this assessment. If the resident refuses the assessment, the organization should document this refusal.
HHS Special Session Bill Extends Leave Days for Housing Support Program (GRH)
On July 7, 2021 by Bobbie Guidry
An extension to Housing Support payments for days absent was included in legislation passed during the legislative session.
The change requires that an agency must continue to pay an additional 74 days per incident, not to exceed a total of 92 days in a calendar year, for a person who is temporarily absent due to admission at a residential behavioral health facility, inpatient hospital, or nursing facility.
HHS Bill Addresses Requirements for Settings Exempt from Assisted Living Licensure
On July 7, 2021 by Bobbie Guidry
The Health and Human Services (HHS) omnibus budget bill passed by lawmakers last month included important policy provisions that ensure that licensed assisted living providers and those providers exempt from assisted licensure will be eligible to receive customized living payments. This legislation paves the way for the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) to issue the Assurance Form for settings that are exempt from assisted living licensure and will ensure residents receiving services in these settings are not disrupted.
MDH Implementing Assessment Changes from Special Session
On July 7, 2021 by Jeff Bostic
Legislation approved during the special session that wrapped up last week made a couple of changes to resident assessment practices that care center members know. The first is the implementation of the requirement for a significant change assessment after therapy services end or after the completion of a period of required isolation for an infection. Those changes are effective Aug. 1.
Payment & Background Checks Needed for Assisted Living Licensure Completion
On June 30, 2021 by Bobbie Guidry
Last week, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) clarified the final steps providers need to complete to receive their assisted living license by Aug. 1.
LTCC Validation Expected to Resume Under Assisted Living Licensure
On June 30, 2021 by Bobbie Guidry
The requirement for an assisted living licensed setting to inform a prospective resident of the availability of and contact information for long-term care consultation services continues as we transition to assisted living licensure.
Who is a Resident under the Assisted Living Statute?
On June 23, 2021 by Bobbie Guidry
Under assisted living licensure, everyone who resides in the licensed assisted living setting is a resident by definition. We continue to work through the implications of the definition of your requirements as an assisted living provider, but several components are known.
Person-centered Planning and Service Delivery Process in Assisted Living
On June 16, 2021 by Bobbie Guidry
One of the new minimum requirements for assisted living licensees under 144G.41, Subdivision 1 is to utilize a person-centered planning and service delivery process. While each resident is currently assessed and participates in developing their service plan, there is a specific definition for this new assisted living requirement.
At the Capitol: Minnesota Lawmakers Return for Special Session
On June 16, 2021 by Matt Steele
On Monday, June 14, Governor Walz called a special session to finalize and pass a two-year state budget. At the outset of the special session, only a few committees had publicly announced their joint agreements with the remaining budget areas having until June 30 to finalize unresolved details to avoid a state government shutdown. Here is what you need to know about what is happening at the capitol this week:
DHS Moves Preadmission Screening Information to Senior Linkage Line
On June 16, 2021 by Jeff Bostic
The Minnesota Board on Aging has moved the state policy for pre-admission screenings for nursing facility admission to the Senior LinkAge Line website. The document on this site, which replaces two previous bulletins (19-25-02 and 19-25-03), will be updated regularly as pre-admission screening and level of care policies change.
Moratorium Exceptions Process Deadline Approaching
On June 16, 2021 by Jeff Bostic
While we advocate for a legislative appropriation to support the moratorium exceptions program in the current special session, we want to remind members that there is currently a round open with close to a million in Medicaid funding available.
Provider Enrollment is Key Step after Assisted Living Licensure
On June 16, 2021 by Jeff Bostic
With Assisted Living Licensure taking effect on Aug. 1 of this year, those settings that provide customized living services under the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) waiver programs need to take action to ensure continued waiver payment.
Oversight and Training of Dining Services in Assisted Living
On June 9, 2021 by LeadingAge
Featuring Dawn Nickleson, Passion for Dining and Nutrition, and Jennifer Anderson, EduCare
As you begin to navigate dining and culinary services requirements in the assisted living regulation, it is essential to recognize that both the Minnesota Assisted Living License Rules and the Food Code play a role in oversight, training, and compliance.
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