News

DHS Proceeding with Implementation of 2026 Nursing Home Rates

On September 10, 2026 by Jeff Bostic

Since the federal approval of the nursing home rate changes for 2026, DHS has been moving rapidly to implement those rates. The rates are loaded into the billing system, so August services are being paid at the higher rate. DHS is also automatically reprocessing claims back to Jan. 1, 2026 and that process should be complete this month.

Minimum Wage Standards for Nursing Homes Take Effect

On September 10, 2026 by Jeff Bostic

One consequence of the federal approval of nursing home rates for 2026 and 2027 is that the minimum wage rule adopted by the Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board goes into effect today, Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026.

DHS Releases Application for Grant Program Intended to Cover Gap in Minimum Wage Effective Date

On August 27, 2026 by Jeff Bostic

Now that DHS has published rate notices, they’ve also released a grant program intended to cover a gap in the minimum wage increase due to the delay in 2026 rates being approved.

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.

Approved Moratorium Applications Announced by MDH

On April 9, 2026 by Jeff Bostic

MDH recently notified nursing homes that submitted proposals in the current moratorium exceptions round of their approval status. All five proposals were approved, representing a total annual state cost of just under $1.1 million.

DHS Implementing New Elderly Waiver Rate Exceptions for High Needs Residents

On February 19, 2026 by Jeff Bostic

The 2025 Legislature created a new rate exception program under Elderly Waiver (EW) to help hospitals discharge high need residents to assisted living and other EW settings. The new program allows for rates that would otherwise exceed the EW budget caps.

Critical Access Funding for Nursing Homes Open for Applications

On June 27, 2024 by Jeff Bostic

During its recently completed session, the Minnesota legislature provided additional funding equal to $576,000 state share for the upcoming state fiscal year for the Critical Access Nursing Facility (CANF) Program. These funds will be used to provide a rate add-on through June 30, 2025, for any additional nursing homes approved through an application process.

Elderly Waiver Rates Increasing Jan. 1

On December 28, 2023 by Jeff Bostic

Providers Required to Prepare Distribution Plan

As a result of advocacy by LeadingAge Minnesota and the Long-Term Care Imperative, 2024 rates for Elderly Waiver (EW) services include substantial increases for all services.

New Resource: Template EW Distribution Plan

On November 30, 2023 by Jeff Bostic

Providers must develop an Elderly Waiver (EW) distribution plan and share it with employees as part of the requirements tied to rate increases effective Jan. 1, 2024. LeadingAge Minnesota has developed a template that can serve as the framework for member distribution plans.

DHS Releases Guidance on Spending Requirements for Increased EW Rates

On November 2, 2023 by Jeff Bostic

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) posted guidance on how Elderly Waiver (EW) providers should develop a distribution plan for the rate increase that starts Jan. 1, 2024.

Nurse Aide Knowledge Test Pass Rates are on the Rise

On April 13, 2023 by Anna Mowry

New data shows that statewide nurse aide knowledge test pass rates have increased by over 8% in the first quarter of 2023. This means more nursing assistants have been successfully certified and placed on the registry.

Without Addressing Staffing Mandate, CMS Updates SNF Rates in Proposed PPS Rule

On April 6, 2023 by Jeff Bostic

Earlier this week, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published the annual proposed rule that updates the Prospective Payment System (PPS) rates for care centers. The rule calls for an update in the rates starting Oct. 1, which averages 3.7%.

House Human Services Committee Releases Omnibus Bill with Mixed Results for Senior Care

On March 30, 2023 by Erin Huppert

The Minnesota House Human Services Committee released its omnibus finance bill this week. The budget bill includes some priority legislation like Elderly Waiver funding and a PACE rate study but stops short of investing in skilled nursing care for older adults.

DHS to Offset Employee Retention Credits from Care Center Rates

On January 5, 2023 by Jeff Bostic

The Department of Human Services (DHS) recently informed us that they intend to offset the revenue from the federal Employee Retention Credit (ERC) from care center costs based on the wages and taxes used in the ERC application. That means that some care centers will see reductions in their rate for the rate year that started this Jan. 1. DHS auditors have begun requesting detailed information from care centers that have applied for the ERC to determine these offsets.

Care Center Rate Notices Likely to Arrive after Jan. 1

On December 1, 2022 by Jeff Bostic

As Jan. 1 approaches, it appears likely that rate notices will not arrive for most care centers by the start of the new rate year. We expect that the rate increase for most care centers will be significant this year because the cost report being used (year-end Sept. 30, 2021) reflects a drop in occupancy and the considerable increase in costs that happened during the pandemic. Therefore, it is time for providers to consider giving notice to private pay residents about increases on Jan. 1.

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.

DHS Provides Update on Delayed Care Center Rate Notices

On April 14, 2022 by Jeff Bostic

This week the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) provided LeadingAge Minnesota with an update on the status of care center rate notices for the rate year that began on Jan. 1. As expected, they will be releasing metro-area care center rate notices first and then sending out other rate notices as audits are finished.

CMS Releases Proposed SNF PPS Rule that Calls for Rate Cuts

On April 14, 2022 by Jeff Bostic

Earlier this week, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released its annual proposed rule for updating the Medicare Prospective Payment System (PPS) rates for skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). In addition to the rate update, the proposed rule covers numerous topics impacting SNFs, including proposed staffing standards and updates to quality reporting and value-based purchasing (VBP).

Notice to Private Pay Residents Needed by Jan. 1

On December 30, 2021 by Jeff Bostic

As we reported about a month ago, the Minnesota Department of Health (DHS) will not be posting care center rate notices before the start of the new rate year on Jan. 1. Rate notices not being available for the beginning of the rate year makes the billing of private pay residents much more complicated than usual. It also impacts the notice requirements.

Forecasted Record-Level State Surplus Represents Opportunity for Investment

On December 9, 2021 by Jeff Bostic

Earlier this week, the Minnesota Department of Management and Budget released an updated state budget forecast projecting a $7.7 billion surplus of revenue over expenses in its general fund. The surplus shows that the state is weathering the pandemic well and allows lawmakers to make permanent investments in professional caregivers.