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News related to "nursing homes"
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CMS Requires SAs to Implement Investigation Timelines
On February 16, 2023 by Mark Schulz
On Feb. 10, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued Admin Info memoranda 23-06-NH revising guidance to Chapter 5 of the State Operations Manual (SOM). The memo’s revisions include changes to the maximum timeframes for state survey agency (SA) investigations into complaints and facility-reported incidents, and the expansion of SA’s data entry requirements into the federal ASPEN Complaints/Incidents Tracking System (ACTS).
LeadingAge Calls of Feds to “Get Real on Ratios”
On February 2, 2023 by Mark Schulz
On Tuesday, LeadingAge released its “Get Real on Ratios” effort to advocate for a realistic federal minimum staffing requirement reflecting the reality of current staffing and funding crises.
New Supplemental Nursing Services Agency Caps in Effect
On February 2, 2023 by Jeff Bostic
Each year, the state calculates the average salary of RNs, LPNs, CNAs, and TMAs in care centers using the data from the annual cost reports. Then the state computes the statutory caps on the amount Supplemental Nursing Services Agencies (SNSAs) can charge per hour for each type of staff. The new caps, effective Jan. 1, show significant increases due to staffing cost increases during the pandemic.
LTC Payment Bill Receives Bipartisan Support in House Human Services Committee
On February 2, 2023 by Erin Huppert
This week, the House Human Services Finance Committee heard HF 733, a bill that would facilitate raising wages for professional caregivers in aging services. This important legislation is the top priority of our 2023 legislative agenda, and LeadingAge Minnesota was thrilled to work with bill sponsor Rep. Heather Edelson (DFL-Edina) to produce a strong hearing.
Long-Term Care Messaging Resonates with Minnesotans, According to Polls
On January 26, 2023 by Libbie Chapuran
LeadingAge Minnesota, with our partners in the Long-Term Care Imperative, conducted a statewide public opinion poll to support our legislative agenda in 2023. The poll results affirm and refine the key messages we use and help us target supporters who advocated alongside us throughout the legislative session.
OSHA Civil Penalties Increase Effective Jan. 17
On January 19, 2023 by Mark Schulz
Changes to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) civil penalty amounts based on cost-of-living adjustments for 2023 went into effect on Jan. 17.
CMS Automating Process for Sending CMP Letters
On January 19, 2023 by Mark Schulz
On Jan. 17, CMS survey staff leaders notified our national partners at LeadingAge that they are automating parts of the process for creating and sending letters to nursing homes for imposed Civil Monetary Penalties (CMPs). There is no underlying CMP policy change being made.
CMS Announces Two Quality and Safety Initiatives Related to Antipsychotic Medication
On January 19, 2023 by Kari Everson
On Jan. 18, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced two initiatives in quality and safety oversight memo 23-05-NH in response to the Biden-Harris administration effort to improve nursing home transparency, safety, and quality. CMS intends to conduct offsite nursing home audits to determine if the nursing home correctly coded diagnoses for residents using antipsychotic medication. CMS will change how citations under dispute are posted.
Early Attention Paid to Long-Term Care Funding in Minnesota Senate
On January 12, 2023 by Kayla Khang
The Caregiver Stabilization Act (SF 7) was heard in the Senate Human Services Committee on Monday afternoon.
Improving Indoor Air Quality Webinar and CMP Funding for Achieving It
On December 15, 2022 by Mark Schulz
The Harvard Healthy Building Program and the Lancet COVID-19 Commission Task Force on Safe Work, Safe School, and Safe Travel are hosting a free webinar tomorrow, Friday, Dec. 16, at 10 a.m. titled "Improving Indoor Air Quality in Long Term Care Facilities: Practical Guidance."
Really Big Book of Nursing Home Regulations – Available for Download
On December 15, 2022 by Mark Schulz
The thirteen edition of the Really Big Book of Nursing Home Regulations is finally here and ready to go! It is now available for order.
2022 Leadership Academy Fellows Complete Year of Development and Growth
On December 8, 2022 by Barbara Landeen
On Dec. 1, the 2022 Leadership Academy Class of Fellows completed their program year of leadership development. The official graduation for the cohort of 45 leaders will be celebrated at the 2023 Institute & Expo.
NextGeneration Nursing Assistant Program: How Employers Can Engage with NextGen Students
On December 1, 2022 by Anna Mowry
Join us on Tuesday, Dec. 6, at 1 p.m. to learn about the NextGeneration Nursing Assistant (NGNA) program and how your organization can connect with NextGen students. This webinar is for employers who want to learn more about the following:
CMS Reminds Entities about Workplace Violence Prevention Requirements
On December 1, 2022 by Mark Schulz
On Nov. 28, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a new QSO memo to hospitals (QSO-23-04-Hospitals) on workplace violence and prevention. While there is no enforcement change for nursing homes within the new memo, one violence prevention expert noted, “[nursing homes] would do well to heed new CMS messaging. The ongoing stress of working short-staffed, and even the holidays themselves, can make healthcare facilities an even more vulnerable environment, safety experts said this week.”
DOL Recovers $28.6 Million in Back Wages and Penalties in LTC Settings
On December 1, 2022 by Mark Schulz
The US Department of Labor (DOL) Wage and Hour Division announced it had recovered more than $28.6 million in back wages and damages for nearly 25,000 workers since it launched a focused initiative in 2021. The effort has led to assessments of almost $1.3 million in civil monetary penalties for employers who willfully violated federal law. The most common violations discovered by investigators were failures to pay overtime or federal minimum wages and misclassifying employees as independent contractors.
Reimagining Infection Control
On December 1, 2022 by Mark Schulz
An article published on Nov. 15 in the Journal of the American Medical Directors Association (JAMDA) discusses the need to reimagine infection control within nursing homes to keep pace with rising acuity and multiple comorbidities in today’s residents to remain effective.
Really Big Book of Nursing Home Regulations Pre-Order Notice
On November 17, 2022 by Mark Schulz
The thirteenth edition of the Really Big Book of Nursing Home Regulations is finally here and ready to go! It is now available for pre-order.
HHS OIG to audit for Potentially Preventable Hospitalizations from Care Centers
On October 27, 2022 by LeadingAge
The Office of the Inspector General (OIG), a division of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), announced an additional investigation as part of its 2022 work plan. Its added focus will be on whether skilled nursing facility residents were hospitalized with certain conditions and whether the facility provided services per the resident’s care plan and professional standards of practice.
DHS Releases RFP for Consultant to Advise on Case Mix Transition
On October 27, 2022 by Jeff Bostic
Earlier this week, the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) released a Request for Proposal (RFP) hire a consultant who will review the RUGS-IV case mix system used in the state's Value-Based Reimbursement (VBR) care center payment system under Medicaid.
DHS Announces Plan for Care Center Rate Notices for 2023
On October 27, 2022 by Jeff Bostic
Most care centers will receive an official rate notice for 2023 in January, according to a Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) announcement.