News

New! Quality Specialist Certificate Program – Registration Open

On August 17, 2023 by Sharon Hollister

The Quality Specialist Certificate Program, starting Oct. 24, supports individuals working in aging services who are serving as Quality leads within their organizations or are interested in expanding their knowledge of quality, safety, and performance improvement.

2023 Foundation Golf Tournament Raises More Than $62,000

On August 3, 2023 by Jenny Prosser

The 2023 LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation Golf Tournament helped raise funds for the next round of caregiver scholarships. Thanks to golfers, sponsors, volunteers, and ticket sales, the event raised over $62,000 before expenses.

CMS Releases Final SNF PPS Rule that Updates SNF Rates and Quality Measures

On August 3, 2023 by Jeff Bostic

Earlier this week, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published the annual final rule that updates the Prospective Payment System (PPS) rates for care centers. The rule calls for an update in the rates starting Oct. 1 that averages 4%.

Navigating the Care Center Moratorium Exceptions Process Webinar – Registration Open

On July 27, 2023 by Sharon Hollister

The Navigating the Care Center Moratorium Exceptions Process webinar will help care center staff evaluate whether to apply for a moratorium exception and provide an understanding of the various options for implementing property projects and the potential rate impacts of those options.

SNF Quality Reporting Program Non-Compliance Letters

On July 27, 2023 by Julie Apold

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has begun notifying Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs) that were determined to be out of compliance with the Quality Reporting Program (QRP) requirements for the Calendar Year 2022.

DHS Develops FAQ for Aug. 1 Care Center Payments

On July 20, 2023 by Jeff Bostic

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) has been receiving many questions about the Aug. 1 payments that will be sent to all care centers.

2023 Legislative Report Spotlight – Legalization of Cannabis in Minnesota

On July 13, 2023 by Mark Schulz

This summer, we’ll regularly highlight some of the most significant issues summarized in the 2023 Legislative Report, a benefit of membership in LeadingAge Minnesota. This week’s topic: the impacts of legalized cannabis on aging services providers.

DHS Starts Process for Distributing Lump Sum Payments to Care Centers

On July 6, 2023 by Jeff Bostic

The Department of Human Services (DHS) has developed plans to distribute lump sum payments for care centers approved in the recently completed legislative session.

MDS Webinar Series – Section GG on June 27

On June 22, 2023 by Sharon Hollister

Join us next Tuesday for the second webinar in our Minimum Data Set (MDS) series, Section GG: Accurately Capturing Functional Abilities, presented by Colleen Toebe, Director of Consulting Services with Pathway Health. Nursing home administrators, directors of nursing, MDS coordinators, and interdisciplinary team members, including direct care staff, may be interested in the content presented.

DHS Updates Thresholds for Care Center Property Projects

On June 22, 2023 by Jeff Bostic

The Department of Human Services (DHS) recently announced the updated property rate thresholds that will apply for projects after Oct. 1. There are two thresholds and two different types of property rate increase projects.

Attention Care Centers: Select New QIIP Goals Now

On June 22, 2023 by Jeff Bostic

The Department of Human Services (DHS) recently announced that they have opened the selection process 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 $0 to $3.50 per resident day for QIIP. 

Changes Coming to the Minnesota Nurse Aide Registry

On June 22, 2023 by Anna Mowry

Coming later this summer, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is launching the “Nurse Aide Registry (NAR) Modernization Project,” a project to transition the nurse aide registry to a new digital format. This new and improved NAR portal will allow nurse aides and nursing homes to complete all their updates, reports, and communications electronically within the portal rather than via U.S. mail or email.

University of Minnesota Researchers Seek Volunteers for Feedback on New Technology

On April 27, 2023 by Bobbie Guidry

Researchers at the University of Minnesota are developing a new technology to help reduce item loss in care settings and are looking for providers to offer feedback.  Volunteers will view a five-minute presentation about the technology and answer a few simple questions. The interview will be conducted over Zoom (or over the phone, if preferred) and will last around 30 minutes. As a token of appreciation, volunteers will receive a $50 Amazon gift card.

MDS Education Coming Soon

On April 13, 2023 by Sharon Hollister

The updated MDS 3.0 Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) user manual (version 1.18.11) was released in early April by CMS and will become effective Oct. 1. Watch for more information this month on our training timeline.

DHS Begins Posting Preliminary Quality of Life Survey Results for Care Centers

On March 16, 2023 by Jeff Bostic

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) is starting to share the preliminary resident quality of life results from the current round of surveys.  Care centers can visit the DHS Provider Portal, click the Resident Quality of Life Ratings tab, and finally, the 2022 Observed Quality of Life Scores link.

February Budget Forecast Shows Unprecedented Opportunity to Address Senior Care Funding Needs

On March 2, 2023 by Jeff Bostic

Minnesota’s updated state economic forecast was released Monday, and Minnesota’s budget and economic outlook remain historically strong, with a $17.5 billion balance projected for the next biennium. The Minnesota Legislature will use this forecast to determine how much money each budget area, including health and human services, will be allowed to spend.

Senate Human Services Holds Hearing on LTC Imperative Priorities

On March 2, 2023 by Erin Huppert

After a blizzard-induced postponement, the Senate Human Services Committee took up three long-term care bills championed by LeadingAge Minnesota and its Long-Term Care Imperative partner on Monday afternoon.  The three bills represent the breadth of aging services and the need to ensure they are available for seniors in all the places they call home. All three bills were laid over for inclusion in the committee’s omnibus bill, which will be assembled and passed later this session.

COVID-19/Flu Tests Coming Soon to SNFs Throughout the State

On December 22, 2022 by Kari Everson

The Minnesota Department of Health is mailing a combination of COVID-19/Flu A&B rapid test kits to all skilled nursing facilities in the state. Kits should be arriving in the next 2-3 weeks.

Nursing Home Citations for Past Noncompliance

On September 28, 2022 by Kari Everson

Recently, LeadingAge Minnesota received more questions about citations for past noncompliance actions and how those citations impact the five-star rating, calculating fines, and appeals.

PHI Releases a New Report on the Direct Care Workforce in the U.S.

On September 15, 2022 by Anna Mowry

A new report providing insights and data on the nation's direct care workforce was recently released.

The report, Direct Care Workers in the United States: Key Facts, is released annually by PHI, which researches, supports, and promotes the nation's direct care workforce. The report includes workforce projections and demographic overviews of home care workers, residential care aides, and nursing assistants in nursing homes.