News

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) has extended the deadline for responding to the RFP for a grant program to improve the resident experience in  Customized Living. The deadline to submit a proposal is now Dec. 9. 

In response to feedback from partners who requested a simplified process, the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) has consolidated all Rate Management System (RMS) worksheets for day and employment services into a single form. 

Medicare open enrollment runs from Oct. 15 – Dec. 7. The Senior LinkAge Line can help your residents and clients on Medicare navigate changes and ensure they have a plan Jan. 1 that meets their needs. 

LeadingAge MN members are encouraged to share the following information with their residents: Medicare Open Enrollment will begin on Oct. 15 and run through Dec. 7. Senior LinkAge Line^®, the state’s designated State Health Insurance & Assistance Program (SHIP), provides unbiased counseling and support to Medicare beneficiaries who would like to review their plan options. As a result, the Senior LinkAge Line’s call volume and wait time may be longer than usual during this busy time of the year.  

The Minnesota Office of Ombudsman for Long Term Care is recognizing Minnesotans who volunteer to advocate for the rights of residents in long-term care facilities as part of Resident Rights Month in October. 

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) has released a new Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Provider Toolkit that provides guidance, frequently asked questions, and examples of provider practices that support choice and autonomy for people who receive these services.  

21 LeadingAge Minnesota members were recently recognized for their commitment to protecting patient and resident health through high flu vaccination rates among health care personnel. Care centers across Minnesota can take proactive measures to protect the people you serve from the flu by enrolling in FluSafe.  

23 LeadingAge Minnesota members have been recognized on the Minnesota Antibiotic Stewardship Honor Roll for their commitment to antibiotic stewardship from the highest levels of administration to prescribers and caregivers.  

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has released the 2019 -2020 Norovirus Toolkit for Long-Term Care Settings.  

The Minnesota Board of Cosmetology is proposing changes in rules related to certain salon licensing and practice requirements that could exempt some assisted living settings. The revised language states: 

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) convened the first meeting of the Adult Day License Stakeholder Group, which will provide input on the development of new licensing standards for adult day services.  

Applications for the Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Scholarship Grant Program are due Friday, Sept. 27. To help you complete your application, check out the following resources:  

At the beginning of this month, the Minnesota Department of Human Services began implementing a new federal requirement for Medicaid long-term care eligibility. Clients will have 10 days to return the form. If they do not return the form, they will get a second notice about returning it. If they do not respond to that second request, the county will terminate their Medicaid enrollment.  

The Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services (CMS) has posted their planned visits to Minnesota to visit select Adult Day Services and Customized Living providers subject to heightened scrutiny.

The Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Grant Application Workshop webinar and handouts are now available. To deadline to apply for a HCBS Grant is Friday, Sept. 27, so take some time to watch and learn how to apply for a grant that will help you recruit and retain staff and help them advance in their career pathways.  

The rulemaking process to establish directives related to licensure of assisted living directors is currently underway. An Assisted Living Rules Development Team is developing draft rules and the process is moving quickly. 

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will visit six to nine Adult Day Services and Customized Living settings in Minnesota that are subject to “heightened scrutiny” under the Home and Community-Based Settings rule at the end of September. 

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) will host a Sept. 5 webinar to help Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) providers learn more about application process for the HCBS scholarship program and provide best practices for completing an application.  

Nursing homes, board and care, and licensed basic and comprehensive home care providers have been added to the list of authorized entities that may obtain, store, and use epinephrine auto-injectors for emergency administration in cases of anaphylaxis, according to two new bulletins from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH).

The Minnesota Department of Health will host a Workshop Webinar on the Home and Community-Based Services Scholarship Program and Application Process on Sept. 5. Make plans now to participate and then apply for tscholarship grants that will help you recruit, retain and create career pathways for your staff.