DHS Releases Testing Reimbursement Information for Care Centers

Posted on July 22, 2020 by Jeff Bostic

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) will soon post information about reimbursement of COVID-19 testing costs for employees to the nursing facility portal.  The new information includes a memo outlining the reimbursement policy and an updated “Form A” to submit for reimbursement of costs related to the Covid-19 state emergency, which now includes employee testing costs. 

Under the new policy, the state will pay care centers for employee testing up to the Medicare fee schedule for those tests.  The reimbursement applies either through the MN Statutes 12A.10 expedited process (using Form A) or through the regular cost report and rate setting process.  Providers will see their reimbursement much more quickly through the MN Statutes 12A.10 process, which is available until 60 days after the end of the state emergency.

Testing is a key part of protecting residents during the pandemic, and we are pleased to see DHS advance a funding solution in care centers for the expensive necessity that is routine testing of employees. The Long-Term Care Imperative continues to advocate strongly for a full solution to paying for employee testing that covers other impacted settings, including assisted living and adult day.