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.
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.
Assisted Living Bill of Rights and the continuing right to Electronic Monitoring
On June 9, 2021 by Bobbie Guidry
The transition to Assisted Living Licensure (ALL) also brings a transition to a new Assisted Living Bill of Rights. You should provide the Bill of Rights to both new and existing residents of the facility.
At the Capitol: First Deadline Passes and Upcoming Special Session
On June 2, 2021 by Matt Steele
This week, lawmakers mainly met in private to debate the specific spending details for each budget area. The first of two self-imposed deadlines passed on Friday, May 28, without any public notice of the finalized details of the budget. The second deadline, June 4, is quickly approaching; lawmakers to agree on what policy provisions will be included in the final deal when Governor Walz calls a special session on June 14. Here is what you need to know about what is happening at the capitol this week:
DHS Conducting Two Surveys on Costs in HCBS Settings
On June 2, 2021 by Jeff Bostic
Beginning this year, the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) is now conducting two surveys on the cost of providing services in Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) settings. Both surveys are being conducted this summer and are based on random samples of providers.
Resource Tip: Life Safety Code Documentation Forms Available to Care Centers
On May 26, 2021 by Jonathan Lips
The Minnesota State Fire Marshal (SFM) Healthcare Inspections team has posted several forms that nursing facilities can use to document required inspection of certain life safety features in your buildings. During our Institute last week, SFM inspector Roy Kingsley presented a session on commonly-cited life safety code deficiencies. As part of that, he emphasized the importance of thorough documentation.
Updated Information on Provider Enrollment for Assisted Living Providers
On May 26, 2021 by Jeff Bostic
With Assisted Living Licensure taking effect on Aug. 1, those settings that provide customized living services under the DHS waiver programs need to take action to ensure continued waiver payment. This document from the Long-term Care Imperative covers various scenarios and how to proceed with updating provider enrollment. Note that we have updated this document based on some DHS comments since the version in Advantage last week.
Care Centers Asked to Make Annual Case Mix Election
On May 26, 2021 by Jeff Bostic
Care centers are asked to make an annual Case Mix Election to determine the rate for Medical Assistance and private pay residents who stay 14 days or less. Providers choose either to do a Minimum Data Set (MDS) for all such residents and bill based on that case mix or decide not to do MDS and bill at the default (DDF case mix) rate.
July 1 Housing Support Rate Increases
On May 26, 2021 by Bobbie Guidry
The annual recalculation of the Housing Support, formerly Group Residential Housing (GRH), which covers rent and raw food for eligible participants, has increased by $20 per month. The new rate of $954 will be effective July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022.
BELTSS Press Release Updates Status of LALD Applications
On May 26, 2021 by Bobbie Guidry
Earlier this week, the Board of Executives for Long-term Services and Supports (BELTSS) requested patience from Licensed Assisted Living Director (LALD) applicants, provided an update on the licensing of Assisted Living Directors, and communicated a delay in the opening of applications for AL Directors in Residence.
At the Capitol: Deadlines loom for budget details and the upcoming special session
On May 26, 2021 by Matt Steele
This week, lawmakers are approaching a May 28, self-imposed deadline to decide how to allocate the money announced in the recent budget deal by legislative leaders last Monday. Throughout the week, only one legislative committee met publicly. There have yet to be any specific spending details released by budget area. With a looming special session presumed to happen on or before June 14, here is what you need to know about what is happening at the capitol this week.