News

LeadingAge Minnesota was at FarmFest last week, connecting with attendees and raising awareness about the importance of supporting aging services across Minnesota.

Minnesota’s primary election is officially behind us, and the matchups are set for what promises to be a consequential general election in November.

After months of delay, on Wednesday, Aug. 12, CMS approved Minnesota’s State Plan Amendment (SPA). This approval triggers significant nursing facility rate, wage, and surcharge changes.

In a rapidly evolving turn of events, a Ramsey County judge ruled on 8/10/2026 that the “Right to Repair” ballot initiative should be included on the November ballot in Saint Paul’s general election.

In response to discussions with LeadingAge Minnesota, The Department of Public Safety (DPS) has created an additional topic on their Alcohol & Gambling Enforcement (AGE) website intended to give clarity to apartment buildings.

The work of building a strong assisted living operation does not end when the license is issued. Whether an organization is preparing to welcome its first resident or has served residents for years, the same challenge remains: turning complex regulatory requirements into policies, training, documentation and everyday practices that work together.

The CDC is shutting down SimpleReport. The Minnesota Department of Health requires assisted living organizations to transition to alternative electronic tools to report positive point-of-care test results within one working day.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has finalized changes to COVID-19 vaccination reporting requirements under the Skilled Nursing Facility Quality Reporting Program (SNF QRP).

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.

LeadingAge Minnesota is sharing that William Levine, Data & Membership Coordinator, is taking the next step in his professional career and has accepted a data analyst position with another organization and will therefore be moving on from the association.

The agenda will be published and registration will open in the coming week for LeadingAge Minnesota’s October District Meetings. This fall, we’re adding something new to the district meeting format based directly on member feedback.

As you consider who to nominate for a 2027 Stars Among Us Award, don't overlook everyday excellence. Not every star seeks the spotlight, and some of the people most deserving of recognition are the least likely to ask for it.

St. Francis Health Services of Morris, Inc. (CEO, Carol Raw) and Benedictine (CEO, Jerry Carley) have signed a non-binding Letter of Intent to explore an affiliation between the two Catholic, nonprofit organizations in which Benedictine would become the sole corporate member of SFHS. If the membership substitution occurs, Duluth Benedictine Ministries would, subject to its own agreement, become the Catholic sponsor of SFHS.

LeadingAge Minnesota member Vivie has announced the appointment of Mike Fryar as its new chief revenue officer. In this newly created executive role, Fryar will lead efforts to align marketing, sales and growth strategies across the organization's expanding continuum of services. Read the full press release below to learn more about Fryar's background and Vivie's vision for this new leadership position.

Every day across Minnesota, aging services professionals, volunteers, leaders, board members, and organizations make a difference in the lives of older adults. Some moments are extraordinary. Many are quiet acts of compassion, leadership, innovation, and service that deserve to be recognized.