Updated Agency Contact Info for Nursing Home Closures

Posted on April 27, 2023 by Mark Schulz

The Minnesota Departments of Health (MDH) and Human Services (DHS) recently responded to inquiries about proper agency staff contacts for questions about nursing home closure.

Both agencies acknowledged that while this topic is sensitive to providers, contacting the agencies before considering a nursing home closure, or as far in advance of the decision to close as possible, is critical. Agency staff stated that nursing homes contact the departments often too late in the overall process for alternative options (fiscal or otherwise) to be put into place to avoid closure.

MDH advises providers considering a nursing home closure to reach out to DHS before considering the decision to close and as far in advance of the decision as possible. This permits open discussions about the provider’s fiscal situation and possible options to avoid closure. 

Contacts at state agencies for closures

DHS should be the first contact to discuss these alternative options. Once a decision has been made to move ahead with a closure, there is a state mandated closure process at Minn. Stat. section 144A.161 that must be followed.  For more information about the closure process, click on the link titled “Closure of nursing facility beds” on this DHS website.

• For DHS, please contact Munna Yasiri, munna.yasiri@state.mn.us, (651) 431-2264.
• For MDH, please email Health.HRD-FedLCR@state.mn.us. Your email will then be forwarded to the correct staff person.