MDH Clarifies Implementation of Assessment Changes from Special Session

Posted on August 4, 2021 by Jeff Bostic

During the June special session, legislation changed resident assessment practices that care centers now need to follow: the requirement for a significant change assessment after therapy services end or after completing a period of required isolation for an infection.

Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) recently clarified that, despite the legislative language, both requirements only apply if the Medicaid RUG level would change due to a new assessment. That significantly reduces the administrative burden on providers since clients who receive a limited amount of therapy will not trigger the need for a new assessment when that therapy ends.

This PowerPoint from a recent MDH session on implementing the assessment changes provides additional details about the new requirements that care center assessment staff should review.