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Emergency Preparedness Tabletop Exercise Conducted
On August 27, 2026 by Mark Schulz
Last week marked the completion of the facilitated virtual tabletop exercise which is part of LeadingAge Minnesota’s Emergency Preparedness Training Series.
Nursing Home Rates Posted by DHS
On August 20, 2026 by Jeff Bostic
After months of delay due to late submission by DHS of the State Plan Amendment (SPA) to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), nursing home rate notices for January 1, 2026, were posted on Friday, Aug. 21 to the nursing facility provider portal.
State Plan Amendment Approved By CMS: What this Means for Providers
On August 13, 2026 by LeadingAge Minnesota
After months of delay, on Tuesday, Aug. 11, CMS approved Minnesota’s State Plan Amendment (SPA). This approval triggers significant nursing facility rate, wage, and surcharge changes.
FY 2027 SNF PPS Final Rule: Stability Today, Preparation for Tomorrow
On August 6, 2026 by LeadingAge Minnesota
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has officially released the FY 2027 Skilled Nursing Facility Prospective Payment System (SNF PPS) Final Rule, and the biggest takeaway is one of stability. The final rule closely mirrors the proposed rule issued earlier this year, with very few substantive changes. While there were no major surprises, there are several important updates that skilled nursing providers should understand as they prepare for the years ahead.
Cyclosporiasis: What Minnesota Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing Providers Need to Know This Summer
On August 6, 2026 by Kari Everson
As Minnesota is in peak summer season, a familiar seasonal illness is drawing extra attention this year. Cyclosporiasis is a gastrointestinal illness that is the subject of a large multistate outbreak that has sickened more than 18,000 people nationally, with a subcluster tied to iceberg lettuce from a Taylor Farms supplier sourcing from central Mexico.
Updates to Five-Star Quality Measure Thresholds Return
On July 23, 2026 by Julie Apold
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has updated the Five-Star Quality Rating System Technical Users' Guide to reflect changes to the Quality Measure (QM) domain rating thresholds, which will take effect with the quarterly Five-Star refresh scheduled for July 29, 2026.
When a Candidate Comes Knocking: Practical Tips from a Property Manager
On July 23, 2026 by Shelli Bakken
Every election season, senior housing communities receive calls from candidates asking to visit residents. These requests can raise as many questions as opportunities. While candidates are eager to meet older voters—one of the most civically engaged groups in Minnesota—property managers are focused on resident comfort, safety, and operations.
MDH Nursing Home Online Resources
On April 6, 2026 by Mark Schulz
As a reminder, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) maintains several very useful and informative websites for nursing home providers.
CMS Updates for Complaint, Survey, Enforcement Processes; MDH Webinar
On March 12, 2026 by Mark Schulz
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released updates to the State Operations Manual on January 30, 2026. The new changes are effective March 30, 2026. Updates were made to Chapter 5, which outlines complaint investigations and processes, and Chapter 7, which relates to the long-term care survey process.
HHS Issues Final Rule: Annual Inflation Adjustment to Civil Monetary Penalties
On January 29, 2026 by Mark Schulz
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has published a final rule updating its civil monetary penalty (CMP) amounts to reflect inflation, under the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015. This change ensures that penalties retain their deterrent effect by adjusting them annually based on changes in the Consumer Price Index.
The SNF Validation Program: When Data Integrity Becomes a Measure of Trust
On January 29, 2026 by LeadingAge Minnesota
For years, skilled nursing facilities (SNF) operated in a system where data submitted through the Minimum Data Set (MDS) was largely accepted at face value. Facilities reported, measures were calculated, and reimbursement and public reporting followed. That is ending.
Federal ICE Enforcement Actions Increase in Minnesota
On December 4, 2025 by Mark Schulz
Federal enforcement activities in Minnesota have intensified following national directives expanding expedited removal and activating multi-agency Homeland Security task forces.
CMS Repeals Nursing Home Minimum Staffing Standards
On December 4, 2025 by Mark Schulz
An interim final rule repealing the nursing home minimum staffing standards was released to the Federal Register on December 2. It is important to note that the interim final rule does not repeal the entire rule that was finalized in April 2024.
SNF Provider Preview Reports Updated and Ready for Review
On November 20, 2025 by Alecia Crumpler
Skilled nursing facilities can now access updated SNF Provider Preview Reports reflecting quality measure data that will be publicly reported in January 2026. Providers have until December 17, 2025, to review their data and request CMS corrections if needed.
Minnesota’s Paid Leave and NHWSB Minimum Wage: What You Need to Know
On November 20, 2025 by Mark Schulz
Following recent member discussions and questions about the upcoming Minnesota Paid Leave (MPL) law, we wanted to provide clarity about its relationship with the Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board (NHWSB) established minimum wages and how those NHWSB minimum wages may not necessarily be the minimum wages required to be paid for MPL compliance.
Minnesota’s Paid Family and Medical Leave Program: Employers Focused FAQ
On November 6, 2025 by Mark Schulz
Following recent LeadingAge Minnesota member webinars on the upcoming Minnesota Paid Family and Medical Leave (MPL) law, we received dozens of thoughtful and practical questions from providers.
Countering a One-Sided Narrative About Long-Term Care: Our Response to a Recent MinnPost Series
On October 30, 2025 by Ben Hansen
A few months ago, LeadingAge Minnesota was contacted by a MinnPost reporter who was developing a series about the work of the Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board—with an initial focus on the Board’s forthcoming minimum wage rules and their anticipated impact on the long-term care sector.
Strengthening Community Engagement Across Minnesota
On October 9, 2025 by Jessica Lacher
LeadingAge Minnesota’s Community Engagement Workgroup recently gathered for a full day of collaboration and planning to strengthen local connections across the state. The event featured county commissioners and member leaders who shared insights and strategies to advance community partnerships statewide.
Quick Guide to Nursing Home Quality Measures and Programs
On October 9, 2025 by Julie Apold
A LeadingAge Minnesota Quality Work Group has developed a Quick Guide to Understanding the Federal and State Nursing Home Quality Measures & Programs — a concise, easy-to-use resource designed to help providers navigate the complex landscape of quality programs that impact nursing homes.
Join Your Colleagues Who Have Taken the Safe Lift Pledge
On October 9, 2025 by Julie Apold
LeadingAge Minnesota members are taking action to prevent mechanical lift falls by pledging to implement the Safe Lift: STOP for Safety process. These organizations are leading the way in creating safer, more respectful resident transfer practices.