MDH Engages Contractors to Conduct Nursing Home Surveys

Posted on September 23, 2021 by Jonathan Lips

Beginning this week, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is utilizing contractors from an agency called Healthcare Management Solutions (HMS) to conduct nursing home recertification surveys, which are currently backlogged at the Department. 

Upon entering a facility, these teams will present a letter signed by Maria King explaining the arrangement and confirming HMS's authorization to conduct the survey on behalf of MDH.

There is at least one HMS team in the field this week, consisting solely of HMS personnel.  MDH intends to blend MDH-employed surveyors into these teams beginning in October. If there is a need to evaluate Minnesota state licensing requirements, that will only be conducted by state agency staff.

HMS contractors will follow the same processes as MDH surveyors would do. This includes investigating complaints at the same time as conducting the recertification survey, when appropriate. HMS teams will report to an MDH supervisor, and the supervisor will be available for providers who have questions or concerns.

Facilities will still receive the statement of deficiencies (2567) from MDH, and the MDH supervisor will be the person to review the survey documentation. A facility’s plan of correction will still be submitted through ePOC and will be approved by the MDH supervisor. Any revisits that are necessary will be conducted by state agency staff.

This action will increase the volume of nursing home recertification surveys being conducted in Minnesota. At this time, MDH is using these contractors only to conduct nursing home surveys only, not home care or assisted living.

If you have questions or concerns about surveys conducted by the HMS contractor teams, please contact Jonathan Lips or Kari Everson.