News

Governor Walz Releases Budget with Major Cuts to Long-Term Care

On January 16, 2025 by Jeff Bostic

Earlier today, Governor Walz released his budget proposal for the next two years, which amounts to an extremely disappointing proposal that balances the state budget on the backs of seniors and those who care for them. The combination of impacts, particularly for nursing homes, is almost certain to lead to a decline in access due to increased likelihood of closures, especially in rural areas.

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.

Elderly Waiver Rates Increasing on Jan. 1

On December 9, 2021 by Jeff Bostic

Thanks to actions taken by the legislature earlier this year and the availability of federal funds targeted to home and community-based services, Elderly Waiver (EW) rates will be increasing this year for the first time in several years. The Long-Term Care Imperative has been advocating for a reform plan for many years that would tie those rates to the actual cost of providing care, which is especially important now as providers face workforce shortages and increasing costs to attract and retain caregivers.

Nursing Home Rate Notices to be Delayed, Complicating Notice to Private Pay Residents

On December 2, 2021 by Jeff Bostic

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) recently informed LeadingAge Minnesota that rate notices for care centers for the 2022 calendar year will be posted much later than the statutorily required date of Nov. 15. Rates will not be available until some time in 2022.

Payment Committee Hosting Special Meeting on Care Center Rates

On September 30, 2021 by Jeff Bostic

The LeadingAge Minnesota Payment Committee is holding a special meeting next Wednesday, Oct. 6, at 10 a.m. to discuss the status of care center Medicaid rates for 2022 in light of recent information from DHS on their plans to implement cost offsets due to federal aid received by providers.

New SNF Medicare Rates Take Effect on Oct. 1

On August 18, 2021 by Jeff Bostic

Based on the annual SNF Payment Rule released earlier this summer, new skilled nursing facility (SNF) Medicare rates for the third year of the Patient-Driven Payment Model (PDPM) take effect on Oct. 1. The Oct. 1 rates include an inflation update of 1.2% based on a formula in existing law. Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has suspended the Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) program for the upcoming rate year.

Elderly Waiver Rate Caps Increase Jan. 1

On November 19, 2019 by Jeff Bostic

The customized living and overall case mix caps in the Elderly Waiver (EW) program increase effective Jan.1 because they are tied to the increase in nursing home rates. The customized living caps increase by 6.14%, which is the full amount of the 2019 nursing home increase. The overall caps are going up by only 5.39% due to some increases that did occur for home delivered meals and PCA services.