LeadingAge Minnesota

CARES Act Expands Federal Small Business Loans, Can Support Aging Services

On April 1, 2020 by Roni Falck

About $350 billion of the $2 trillion economic stimulus package signed into law last week are directed to provide loans to small businesses, with the opportunity for loan recipients to receive forgiveness and not have to repay the amount borrowed. On April 3, smaller 501c(3) organizations will be able to access these funds. This article provides a summary of the provisions and guidance for borrowers and lenders. 

Adult Day: COVID-19 Communication Tools

On March 17, 2020 by Roni Falck

At this time, the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) has not mandated closure for adult day centers. It is up to each provider to determine whether it will continue to stay open or temporarily close. The following is guidance and communications tools you can use: 

MDH Releases Coronavirus Guidance for Adult Day Providers

On March 10, 2020 by Roni Falck

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has released interim guidance for Adult Day Services and Senior Day Center settings to plan, prepare and respond to Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19).  

Veterans Club Adult Day Services: A Leader in Safe Care for Seniors

On December 18, 2019 by Jodi Boyne

At the Veterans Club, the Adult Day Services program at the Minnesota Veteran’s Home – Minneapolis Campus, excellence is not one act but a habit. A mission to personalized care and support for the clients they serve combined with a commitment to respect, dignity and teamwork elevated this program to one of the higher levels of recognition in our Make Zero Harm Possible program.  

Q&A with Adult Day: A Closer Look at Individual Abuse Prevention Plans and Participation Reports

On December 10, 2019 by Roni Falck

To help keep adult day services providers informed and in compliance with license expectations, please review the following Q&A regarding Individual Abuse Prevention Plans and monthly progress notes and participation reports.  

DHS Seeks Public Comments on 4th Set of HCBS Setting Evidentiary Packages

On December 3, 2019 by Bobbie Guidry

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) is seeking public comments through Jan. 2, 2020 on evidentiary packages related to the heightened scrutiny process under the Home and Community-Based Settings rule. Adult day, customized living, foster care, and prevocational/structured day services are included in this set of evidentiary packages, including several LeadingAge Minnesota members. 

End of Banding Means Disability Waiver Rate Changes in 2020 for Adult Day, Other Providers

On December 3, 2019 by Jeff Bostic

The banding process for disability waiver rates, which ties the rates paid to many providers to their historical rate rather than paying the full Disability Waiver Rate System (DWRS) rate, is ending in 2020.  The end of banding will mean rate changes for adult day and other providers serving disability waiver clients.  

Consolidated RMS Worksheet for Day and Employment-Related Services

On October 23, 2019 by Roni Falck

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. 

National Adult Day Services Week: Ending Social Isolation

On August 28, 2019 by Roni Falck

National Adult Day Services Week, which takes place Sept. 15-21, is a great opportunity to highlight the important work these valued providers do every day. Our theme this year is focused on raising public awareness on how Adult Day Services can help prevent loneliness and social isolation.  

New Resource on Documentation Requirements for Waiver Services

On July 30, 2019 by Jeff Bostic

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) has released a short document that summarizes new statutory requirements around documentation for waiver services. 

Adult Day: Rising to the Challenge and Leading Person-Centered Care in the Community

On July 2, 2019 by Jodi Boyne

Growing demand for adult day services is putting new expectations on providers, including a need to serve people with more medical needs -- and providers, including those in Minnesota, are rising to the challenge.  

New Information and Training on Veteran Community Care Networks

On July 2, 2019 by Roni Falck

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is shifting the way in which it works with community providers to expand the provider network and improve customer service for veterans and timeliness of payment for providers. 

Adult Day Services: Strategies to Reduce Absenteeism Webinar April 22

On April 10, 2019 by Heidi Simpson

Get practical tools, strategies and resources to help reduce client absences from your program, and the related negative impact on revenue and staffing. Find details and registration for the April 22 webinar here.

DWRS Bill Advances at the Legislature

On March 26, 2019 by Jeff Bostic

The House Long Term Care Committee advanced a Disability Waiver Rate System (DWRS) bill to its next committee stop this week that will be helpful in some ways to DWRS providers if it ultimately becomes law, but also impose new burdens. 

CMS Releases Guidance on HCBS Settings Rule; Provider Uncertainty Remains

On March 26, 2019 by Bobbie Guidry

The Centers of Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released guidance last week to frequently asked questions on the implementation of activities associated with the final Home and Community-Based Services Settings Rule. While there is some good news in the guidance for adult day services providers, there are additional questions being raised by providers on the lack of clarification in several areas – including those looking to build and/or expand in the next few years.  

Adult Day Services Strategies to Reduce Absenteeism

On March 26, 2019 by Heidi Simpson

Ask an adult day program provider their #1 challenge, and chances are you’ll hear about absenteeism and the unexpected loss of revenue it creates. A webinar on April 22 helps address this challenge and offers real tools, strategies and resources to reduce client absences. 

Learn from other providers who have implemented successful absenteeism policies and how you can do the same. Find details and registration here.

Monthly VA Billing Webinar

On March 6, 2019 by Roni Falck

The Veterans Health Administration has announced a monthly webinar on its Community Care programs and policies. The webinars are geared toward all providers with a contract or provider agreement to provide VA paid services.  

Governor’s Budget Cuts Care Center Funding, Assumes Fee-Drive Approach to Assisted Living Oversight

On February 20, 2019 by Jeff Bostic

Governor Tim Walz and Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan yesterday released the One Minnesota budget that proposes to spend $49 billion in the next two years on a wide range of priorities. The budget contained mixed news for older adult services. While it supports the interim work on older adult protection, the budget does not include increased Elderly Waiver funding, only partially funds the DWRS increase for adult day providers, assumes a fee-driven approach for assisted living providers and reduces Value-Based Reimbursement for care centers. 

Adult Day: DWRS Bill Puts Access to Services At Risk; Take Action Today

On February 19, 2019 by Jeff Bostic

The Minnesota House Health and Human Services Policy Committee last week heard bills to address issues around the Disability Waiver Rate System (DWRS). The action taken by the committee is not in keeping with the goals of DWRS providers and creates a clear need for advocacy by impacted providers, including our Adult Day Services members. 

DHS Recommends New Licensing Standards for Adult Day

On January 29, 2019 by Roni Falck

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) is recommending the development of proposed licensing standards for Adult Day Services, among other recommendations, in a report that was recently provided to the Minnesota Legislature.