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News related to "covid-19"
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DHS Releases Testing Reimbursement Information for Care Centers
On July 22, 2020 by Jeff Bostic
The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) will soon post information about reimbursement of COVID-19 testing costs for employees to the nursing facility portal. The new information includes a memo outlining the reimbursement policy and an updated “Form A” to submit for reimbursement of costs related to the Covid-19 state emergency, which now includes employee testing costs.
Resource Round-Up: Essential Family Caregivers
On July 15, 2020 by Jodi Boyne
In this week’s COVID-19 Resource Round-Up, we feature new tools and resources to help you understand, design and implement the new Essential Caregiver designation in your community.
MDH Releases Essential Caregiver Guidance
On July 15, 2020 by Jodi Boyne
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) last week released new guidance that allows the designation of an Essential Caregiver for residents of nursing homes and assisted living. This guidance represents the next interim step in encouraging safe and responsible visitation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Care Center Occupancy Takes Big Hit from COVID-19
On July 15, 2020 by Jeff Bostic
The Long-Term Care Imperative has recently finished a special analysis of occupancy data for the first half of 2020. As anticipated, the results show that the spread of COVID-19 had a major negative impact on care center occupancy in the second quarter. However, the impact varied by region and did not hit every provider at all.
2020 Connect Conference Features “Hot Topic” Programs
On July 8, 2020 by Heidi Simpson
This year’s Connect Conference (Aug. 19-20) features a line-up of timely topics for assisted living, senior housing and home care providers. Join us – virtually! – to hear about the latest developments in the roll out of assisted living licensure, the path to becoming a licensed assisted living director, and how COVID-19 is changing our field.
Resource Round-Up: Whole House Testing Decision Guide
On July 8, 2020 by Jodi Boyne
As we continue to push for a clear, cogent testing strategy and reimbursement process from the State of Minnesota, we know you are faced with many decisions when it comes testing residents and staff. Our new COVID-19 “Whole House” Testing Decision Guide is a workflow process designed to help you consider what approach is best for your setting. It includes links to key resources to guide your decision and implement your plan. Resources include:
Action Alert: Affordable Housing Provisions Must Be Included in Next COVID-19 Relief Package
On July 8, 2020 by Libbie Chapuran
The $1.2 billion in financial support provided by the Emergency Housing Assistance for Older Adults Act (S. 4177, H.R. 6873) must be included in Congress’ next COVID-19 relief package. Ask your members of Congress to help the more than 700,000 older adults in HUD-assisted housing. S. 4177 and H.R. 6873 would provide key relief for affordable senior housing communities navigating the impacts of the coronavirus crisis, including:
MDH Advances Work on Reopening Recommendations
On July 8, 2020 by Jonathan Lips
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) continues to work on recommendations for nursing homes and housing with services/assisted living settings to modify general visitation, but there still is not a firm timeline for release of those recommendations.
Focused Infection Control Surveys Offer Learnings for Nursing Homes
On June 24, 2020 by Jonathan Lips
Earlier this month the Minnesota Department of Health shared with LeadingAge Minnesota the results from Focused Infection Control surveys of Minnesota nursing homes during April and May. As we reported earlier, 120 facilities were cited for deficient practice(s), all of those at F880 and with only 4 being cited at scope and severity level G or above.
Take Action: #Act4OlderAdults Because COVID is Not Over
On June 23, 2020 by Libbie Chapuran
COVID-19 is not over. The lives of seniors in our settings are at risk. Our healthcare workers are risking their lives without appropriate PPE, testing and funding. Watch this powerful message from our partners at LeadingAge. Then ask the Minnesotans who represent us in Washington for crucial resources and immediate relief to help fight COVID. Here are two thing you can do now:
1st Special Session of 2020 Ends Without Much Progress
On June 23, 2020 by Kari Thurlow
The Minnesota Legislature’s first 2020 special session adjourned sine die in the early morning of June 20, just one week after Governor Walz called lawmakers back to St. Paul. Lawmakers failed to reach agreement on any of the major issues – including police reform, bonding, and distribution of CARES Act funds for COVID-19.
Legislature is Back in Special Session
On June 17, 2020 by Kari Thurlow
For the ninth time in 10 years, there is a legislative special session. It began on June 12 and we do not yet know the length of this special session nor is there any agreement on what issues will be resolved during it. Where do our key issues stand in terms of special session priorities?
Round-Up: National Healthcare Safety Network Reporting
On June 17, 2020 by Jonathan Lips
As we enter the fifth week of nursing homes reporting to the CDC’s National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN), we thought it would be worthwhile to highlight some of the information we’ve shared with members through our daily updates over the past couple of weeks.
Assisting with Difficult Conversations
On June 16, 2020 by Terri Foley
Families and older adults may be confronting end-of-life questions that they have not prepared for before the COVID-19 pandemic. Advance Care Planning and POLST (Physician Order for Life-Sustaining Treatment) are commonly talked about in our field, yet people may still be surprised when the situation arises when they may need to be used to make decisions. Or, the COVID-19 pandemic may be the trigger for them to complete the documents.
LeadingAge Continues Federal Advocacy on PPE
On June 16, 2020 by Jonathan Lips
Six weeks after the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that it would coordinate a shipment of personal protective equipment (PPE), totaling a 14-day supply, to Medicare- and Medicaid-certified nursing homes across the United States, significant numbers of facilities across the country still have not received a shipment. Some that have received supplies have found them to be low quality, even expired in some cases, or delivered in quantities smaller than expected.
Federal and State Emergency Response Funding Still Available
On June 16, 2020 by Jeff Bostic
The COVID-19 emergency has had significant negative financial impacts on many providers, including loss of revenue as well as higher costs associated with responding to actual and potential outbreaks of the virus. Fortunately, the state and federal governments have both responded with large programs of aid to providers, including the most recent development at the federal level - the Medicaid provider distribution from the CARES Act provider relief fund.
COVID-19 Resource Round-Up: Transparency Builds and Cooperation
On June 10, 2020 by Jodi Boyne
If we know one thing to be true during this global pandemic, the media and public will continue to focus on the number of positive COVID-19 cases and deaths related to the virus in long-term care settings. The best way to counter inaccurate media stories and public perception is with consistent transparency of your COVID-19 responsem, including the number of people who have been afflicted by the virus or died from it in your setting.
New Basic Care Aide Registration Website
On June 10, 2020 by Jenna Kellerman
LeadingAge National is hosting the Basic Care Aide through its Learning. All non-EduCare users should have new students login through this portal beginning June 15. EduCare users should continue to access the training through their own EduCare library.
Medicaid Providers: Apply for Provider Relief Funds, Application Portal Opens Today
On June 10, 2020 by Jeff Bostic
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced it will distribute funds to Medicaid providers who do not participate in Medicare, including Assisted Living and Adult Day, through the Provider Relief Fund through a time-limited application process vs. automatic payment. The application portal opens June 10 (today). Here’s what we know so far:
Nursing Home Survey Results: What You Need to Know and Do
On June 10, 2020 by Jonathan Lips
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is spotlighting COVID-19 survey results on the Nursing Home Compare home page. The results of surveys conducted since March 4 (complaints and infection control focused surveys) will be listed and available for the public to download, including a spreadsheet summarizing the findings from each inspection.