LeadingAge Minnesota

COVID-19 Testing: Resource Roundup and MDH Upcoming Changes

On June 30, 2022 by Kari Everson

Testing residents and staff for COVID-19 became a standard throughout the pandemic, and guidance frequently changed, which gives way to uncertainty on current guidance and recommendations for testing requirements, test interpretation, and test procurement.

Tune In: MDH Testing Resource Updates and Webinars

On June 23, 2022 by Jonathan Lips

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is hosting two webinars to provide updates for aging services providers about COVID-19 PCR testing resources. 

CMS Relaxes Frequency of Inspection for Vaccination Requirement Compliance

On June 16, 2022 by Jonathan Lips

This week, CMS announced that survey oversight of the staff vaccination mandate for Medicare and Medicaid-certified providers and suppliers will continue to be performed during initial and recertification surveys but will now only be performed in response to complaints alleging non-compliance with this requirement, not all complaint surveys. This news comes after CMS determined that 95% of nearly 12,000 providers and suppliers surveyed by states have been in substantial compliance with this requirement.

Nurse Assistant Testing Availability for June

On June 16, 2022 by Anna Mowry

Minnesota State and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) are communicating updates to LeadingAge Minnesota regarding the status of nursing assistant test sites as they continue to open and increase their capacity.

DHS Confirms Extension of Background Check Resubmission Deadline, Other Flexibilities

On June 16, 2022 by Jonathan Lips

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) website now confirms the extension of the July 2 deadline by which employees with emergency background studies must clear fingerprint-based studies until the end of the year. Individuals who received emergency studies must have a fully compliant study by Dec. 31 to continue working after that date. 

Frontline Worker Bonus Application Period Open

On June 9, 2022 by Libbie Chapuran

Required employer notice and other helpful resources available

The Frontline Worker Pay application will be open from June 8 to July 22. Eligible workers will have 45 days to apply for Frontline Worker Pay.

With New Booster Guidance, What Does “Up-to-Date” Mean for LTC

On June 9, 2022 by Kari Everson

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released updated recommendations for an additional COVID-19 vaccination booster (fourth shot) on May 24. The updates provide a recommendation for a second booster for those people 12 and older if they are moderately to severely immunocompromised and individuals 50 years of age and older.

MDH Provides Flexibility and Clarification for Nurse Aides Working Under the 1135 Waiver

On June 2, 2022 by Anna Mowry

On June 6, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will terminate the COVID-19 waiver that has allowed nurse aides to serve seniors without being on the Nursing Assistant Registry. Nurse aides hired or worked during the waiver have until Oct. 7 to be placed on the Minnesota Nursing Assistant Registry.

LeadingAge Minnesota Comments on OSHA COVID Standard

On May 26, 2022 by Jonathan Lips

LeadingAge Minnesota submitted comments this week urging OSHA not to make its Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) for COVID-19 a permanent part of the regulatory landscape.

Training Opportunities for NHSN Reporting Changes

On May 12, 2022 by Jonathan Lips

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will offer training opportunities this month to describe changes coming to the COVID-19 Long-Term Care Facility module and vaccination reporting module in NHSN, to streamline and simplify reporting. 

Don’t Miss Your Opportunity to Challenge Provider Relief Fund (PRF) Payments

On May 5, 2022 by Jeff Bostic

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) recently closed Phase Four of the Provider Relief Fund (PRF) payments to health care providers. Now providers are dealing with both reporting requirements and the last opportunity to review what they have received and request reconsideration of the amount or not being paid.

CDC to Streamline Some NHSN Reporting

On May 5, 2022 by Jonathan Lips

In a recent national stakeholder call, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) previewed changes coming to the COVID-19 Long-Term Care Facility module and vaccination reporting module in NHSN. Beginning May 23, reporting in both modules will be streamlined to simplify some reporting.

Reminder: Certain CMS COVID Waivers Expire May 7

On May 5, 2022 by Jonathan Lips

Several of the CMS blanket COVID-19 waivers are expiring on May 7.

In a memorandum released last month, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that it will terminate several temporary emergency declaration blanket waivers that have provided nursing facilities and other provider types with flexibilities designed to support the COVID response.

Expedited Paid Feeding Assistant Curriculum is Available for Free until June 6!

On April 28, 2022 by Anna Mowry

The expedited Paid Feeding Assistant training allowed by CMS throughout the pandemic will end in June.

Last year, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) modified the minimum training requirement for Paid Feeding Assistants from eight hours to one hour under a waiver from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). In an April 7 Memorandum, CMS announced it will terminate the waiver on June 6.

Use OnTrack to Transition Caregivers to Registered Nursing Assistants

On April 28, 2022 by Anna Mowry

A critical COVID-19 waiver allowing Basic Care Aids to serve seniors through the pandemic is expiring; caregivers must be on the Nursing Assistant Registry by Oct. 6.

Argentum and LeadingAge Urge OSHA Not to Make COVID Standards Permanent

On April 28, 2022 by Jonathan Lips

In public comments filed last week, Argentum and LeadingAge urged the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) not to make the agency's Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) for COVID-19 a permanent part of the regulatory landscape.

Breaking: Minnesota Legislature Reaches Tentative Deal on Frontline Worker Bonuses, UI Trust

On April 28, 2022 by Erin Huppert

Legislative leaders reached a tentative deal today to restore the Unemployment Insurance Trust and issue frontline worker bonuses, a stalemate that has plagued elected officials for months.

CMS Issues Updated Vaccine Mandate Survey Guidance

On April 7, 2022 by Jonathan Lips

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has posted updated interpretive guidance concerning the staff vaccination mandate, with a revision date of April 5. We encourage care centers to review QSO 22-07-ALL (Revised) and the changes to Attachment A.

CMS Announces End Dates for Various COVID Waivers, Including Nurse Aide Certification

On April 7, 2022 by Jonathan Lips

In a Memorandum released on April 7, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that it will terminate several temporary emergency declaration blanket waivers that have provided nursing facilities and other provider types with flexibilities designed to support the COVID response.

Reviewing COVID-19 Testing Protocols in Assisted Living

On March 31, 2022 by Kari Everson

Testing continues to be an essential component of infection prevention and control in our settings. Questions about required testing continue because of the rapid guidance changes and the different required testing strategies between assisted living and nursing homes. New testing guidance for assisted living communities was updated on March 3.