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.
Registration Open for Minnesota e-Health Summit
On May 29, 2018 by Jodi Boyne
Want to learn how e-Health can build healthier communities? Register for the Minnesota e-Health Summit: Act Today, Impact Tomorrow taking place on June 14 in Brooklyn Center.
DHS Resources for HCBS Settings Rule Attestation Audits and Site Visits
On May 29, 2018 by Bobbie Guidry
In case you did not take note of these resources when initially shared in Advantage, the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) has issued a Provider’s Guide to Putting the HCBS Rule into Practice. The Guide may be helpful to you if the audit of your setting resulted in a need to submit additional supporting documentation regarding your compliance with the HCBS Settings Rule.
Housing Support Rate (GRH) Increases July 1
On May 29, 2018 by Bobbie Guidry
The annual re-calculation of the Housing Support, formerly Group Residential Housing (GRH), rate that covers rent and raw food for eligible participants resulted in an increase of $11 per month. The new rate of $904 will be effective July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2019.
Significant Progress Made in Investigating Elder Abuse Complaints
On May 29, 2018 by Jodi Boyne
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) has reported significant progress and improvement in the investigation of reports of elder abuse and maltreatment.
Time to Select New QIIP Goals
On May 22, 2018 by Jeff Bostic
The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) recently prepared the data needed for all care centers in the Medical Assistance program to select a new goal to work on for another round of the Quality Improvement Incentive Payment Program (QIIP). Each year, based on their progress toward the goal they select, care centers receive a rate increase of up to $3.50 per resident day.
DHS Surveys HCBS Providers on Electronic Visit Verification
On May 22, 2018 by Bobbie Guidry
The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) is surveying providers of personal care assistance, home health services, and home and community-based services to learn more about existing use of electronic visit verification (EVV) in Minnesota.
New C. diff Toolkit for Long-Term Care
On May 22, 2018 by Julie Apold
Clostridium difficile (C. diff) causes almost half a million infections yearly, with more than 100,000 occurring among residents in long-term care. The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has developed a new toolkit to help prevent and manage C. diff infection in long-term care.
Apply Now: Live Well at Home Grants
On May 16, 2018 by Bobbie Guidry
The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) has published the Request for Proposals (RFP) for the next round of Live Well at Home Grants. These grants help communities meet the challenges of our fast-growing aging population and pressures on Minnesota's long-term care support system.
Home Care Matters Provider Webinar
On May 15, 2018 by Bobbie Guidry
Home Care Matters, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Home Care and Assisted Living Program provider webinar, will take place on May 23 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Providers will the opportunity to:
Free Employment Law Resource
On May 9, 2018 by Bobbie Guidry
The fourteenth edition of An Employer’s Guide to Employment Law Issues in Minnesota is now available.
What Just Happened with ALHC Frequency of Correction Orders?
On May 2, 2018 by Elizabeth Sether, RN, MHA, LNHA
For the first time since the Assisted Living Home Care (ALHC) comprehensive home care regulations were implemented three years ago, none of the most frequently cited correction orders were cited above 63 percent of the time.
DHS Takes Next Step in Attestation Process with Site Visits to HCBS Providers
On May 2, 2018 by Bobbie Guidry
The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) is contacting providers whose submitted Attestations related to the Home and Community Based-Services (HCBS) Settings Rule (and DHS validated via geo-mapping) indicates a setting(s) that meets one of the following criteria:
DHS Conducting Survey of EW Provider Costs
On May 1, 2018 by Jeff Bostic
The Minnesota Department of Human Services, through a contract with Navigant Consulting, recently launched a survey of the cost of providing services under the Elderly Waiver (EW) program. The survey is part of a larger study designed to validate and propose adjustments to EW rate reform that was introduced by Long-Term Care Imperative last year and due to be partially implemented on Jan. 1, 2019.
FAQ: What Duties Can an LPN Carry Out in Assisted Living Home Care?
On April 25, 2018 by Bobbie Guidry
Two questions that arise frequently from Assisted Living Home Care Providers relate to what an LPN can carry out when delegated to by the RN. Both questions have been addressed by the Minnesota Department of Health in their Provider FAQ responses:
DHS Awards Live Well at Home Grants
On April 25, 2018 by Bobbie Guidry
The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) recently awarded more than $7.5 million in Live Well at Home grants to programs that help older Minnesotans remain in their homes and communities. Of the 53 grants awarded, seven were for projects led by LeadingAge Minnesota members:
PIPP Deadline is May 1
On April 25, 2018 by Jodi Boyne
The deadline for submitting a Performance-Incentive Payment Program (PIPP) proposal is midnight on May 1.
Adult Day: Three Different Positions on DWRS Funding
On April 25, 2018 by Jeff Bostic
The debate on how to deal with the impending seven percent cut in DWRS funding continues at the State Capitol, with three different positions from the House, Senate and Governor Dayton.
New Housing Ordinance is First of its Kind in Minnesota
On April 17, 2018 by Bobbie Guidry
Rising rents and apartment shortages are problems around the state, particularly for low-income individuals. The St. Louis Park City Council recently passed a new renter protection ordinance, believed to be the first of its kind in Minnesota, that could impact housing with services members who provide affordable housing to older adults.
Board on Aging Announces RFP for Dementia Grants
On April 10, 2018 by Bobbie Guidry
The Minnesota Board on Aging has released its competitive dementia grants request for proposal (RFP) seeking qualified grantees to provide services, education, and/or resources for persons with dementia and their caregivers. The deadline is May 11.
DHS Posts Quality of Life, Discharge Data
On April 10, 2018 by Jeff Bostic
The Minnesota Department of Human Services posted new data regarding Quality of Life and Hospitalizations/Community Discharge to the Nursing Facility Provider Portal.