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The Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) conducted a remote-access public hearing on the proposed assisted living licensure rules on Jan. 19^th and 20^th. This is a critical step in finalizing the rules that will govern assisted living providers under the assisted living licensure law that takes effect later this year.

The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) has granted certified nursing facilities more flexibility in terms of where facilities submit the results of point-of-care antigen tests.  We expect the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) to update its “Reporting Results of COVID-19 Tests” guidance today, to reflect this change.

It’s not too late to register for this month’s virtual District Meetings. We invite you to join your peers for your District Meeting, which will be held between Jan. 21 and 28 from 1 – 3 p.m. via Zoom.

The meetings include discussions on several big changes for our field as we look ahead to 2021. Together we will cover:

• The results of a new Public Opinion Poll commissioned by LeadingAge Minnesota and what this means for reputation management for the older adult services field.
• An overview of the 2021 Legislative Session and the key budget and policy issues we will be fighting for.
• COVID-19 and how the vaccination process is unfolding in your region.

Two breakout sessions will focus on:

• Assisted Living Licensure and what providers should be doing now to prepare; and
• Financial futures for care centers.

District meeting dates are:

• District C: Thursday, January 21 - Register here
• Combined A & B: Friday, January 22 - Register here
• District G: Tuesday, January 26 - Register here
• Combined D & E: Wednesday, January 27 - Register here
• District F: Thursday, January 28 - Register here

All January District Meetings will occur via Zoom and will be held from 1 - 3 p.m.

Members may attend any meeting that works best for them. There is no fee to attend, but registration is requested. For additional information about January District Meetings, please contact Alecia Crumpler.

A key part of the December 2020 COVID-19 relief bill is a renewal of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), including availability of second draw loans for some organizations that got a PPP loan earlier this year. In January 2021, the Small Business Administration and the Department of Treasury issued rulemaking to implement the second draw loan program. Organizations that received a PPP loan earlier this year are eligible to receive a second forgivable loan of up to $2 million if they meet eligibility criteria. The loan application portal is expected to open this week. As with the first round, eligible organizations can apply through most local or national banks.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) approved DHS’ CADI Waiver amendment package, which includes Waiver Reimagine streamlined service changes, effective Jan. 11, 2021. CMS has now approved waiver amendment packages that include Waiver Reimagine streamlined service changes for the following waivers:

LeadingAge Minnesota is in the process of applying to be an approved provider of the training that will be required for an individual seeking an assisted living director licensure in Minnesota. This training will be required of anyone who does not meet the requirements to apply for licensure as a legacy director.

As a result of the 2019 assisted living licensure law effective Aug. 1, 2021, every licensed assisted living setting in Minnesota will require a Licensed Assisted Living Director (LALD). The Board of Executives for Long Term Services and Supports (BELTSS) will open their online application system in waves based on current qualifications, beginning with those who can qualify for legacy licensure. Legacy licensure, up to this point, has been referred to as “grandfathering” or “grandparenting.”

Featuring Dr. Alyson VanAhn from Associated Clinic of Psychology

We are coming up on the anniversary of when the COVID-19 pandemic hit our nation, our care facilities and every aspect of our lives. We were likely juggling many roles before the coronavirus: parent, professional, caretaker at home and work just to name a few. We might also have been struggling to find time for ourselves amidst all these demands pre-COVID.

As the COVID-19 vaccine continues to be distributed through the state in long-term care settings, we are developing and gathering tools that can help you plan and execute a successful clinic.

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is urging long-term care settings, both nursing homes and assisted living providers, to complete a short weekly survey that will help the State track progress towards vaccinating residents and staff for COVID-19. 

As we noted in last week’s newsletter, new CMS criteria for what triggers focused infection control (FIC) surveys in nursing homes will have the effect of reducing the volume and frequency of FIC surveys for many care centers. The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) signaled this week that these changes may free up enough time for surveyors to resume standard recertification surveys. MDH did not say definitively that it plans to do this, or identify any concrete timeline, but they told us they are exploring it.

We invite you to join your peers from around your region for this month’s Virtual District Meetings, scheduled between January 21 and 28, from 1 – 3 p.m. via Zoom.

In December, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) published Proposed Rules and Notice of Hearing in the State Register. This effectively begins the formal public comment period on the proposed rules that will govern licensed assisted living settings after Aug. 1, 2021. This is a significant advocacy opportunity for LeadingAge Minnesota members, as the process invites the public to weigh in on the rules and express support or concerns.

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is now accepting applications for the position of Heath Regulation Division Director. A summary of the role, a list of qualifications and a channel for submitting an application are available through this job posting.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has issued the 2020 update to the National Plan to address Alzheimer’s Disease. There have been updates yearly since this report was originally published in 2012. A complete list of the National Plan and updates, as well as an Action Side-by-Side, is available, as is more information about the National Alzheimer's Project Act .

This week, HUD issued a new set of Q&As for Multifamily Housing providers, including senior housing, last updated in mid-October. While the Q&A addresses vaccines, PPP loans, and residual receipts, it falls short of addressing several pressing questions. With affordable housing communities bracing for continued COVID-19 surges, the Q&A provides little direction for housing owners and staff navigating COVID-19 vaccines and testing, as well as ongoing unbudgeted expenses and operational challenges.

All rental property owners, managers or operators must provide a Certificate of Rent Paid (CRP) to each person who rented from them during the previous year by Jan. 31 if either of the following are true:

• Property tax was payable in 2020 on the property.
• The property is tax-exempt but made payments in lieu of property taxes.

Each year, the state calculates the average wages of RNs, LPNs, CNAs, and TMAs in care centers using the data provided from the annual cost reports, and then computes the statutory limits on the amount that Supplemental Nursing Services Agencies (SNSAs) can charge per hour for each type of staff. The new caps are effective Jan. 1, 2021.

Featuring Dr. Alyson VanAhn, Associated Clinic of Psychology

While senior care staff are aware that their residents may die while in care, losing a resident during these COVID-19 days can be even more difficult. It can affect folks who worked closely with that person as well as those who have less direct contact with residents. 

LeadingAge Minnesota members participated in a special edition of the clinical coaching room this morning to discuss their experiences during their vaccination clinics.

Monoclonal antibody treatment is an IV infusion that, when given to qualifying residents, works to decrease the severity of disease and prevent hospitalization from COVID-19. MDH has a REDCap survey for providers to complete when requesting doses of monoclonal antibody (mAbs) therapy. After completion of the REDCap survey, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) will reach out to organizations and ensure they have appropriate protocols in place to safely administer mAbs therapy.

As we shared in this Advantage story three weeks ago, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) intends to begin including COVID-19 data in its Situation Update that shows cumulative totals for the number staff cases, resident cases, and resident deaths, for all nursing homes and assisted living settings that have had an exposure to COVID-19 since the pandemic began.

Minnesota’s 2021 legislative session began Tuesday at noon, but thanks to the record seven special sessions held from June through December, it feels like the 2020 session never really ended.

CMS issued a revised memo QSO-20-31-ALL-REVISED on Jan. 4 detailing new triggers for focused infection control (FIC) surveys. In addition to the two triggers previously identified, CMS has added 5 additional scenarios that will be used to help state survey agencies more narrowly target FIC surveys. The new criteria are effective immediately and will have the effect of reducing the volume of FIC surveys for many providers.

The Metro Healthcare Coalition is offering a mini-webinar on management and tracking of PPE on Monday, December 28, at 1:00pm. Mary Ryan and Aaron Aslakson from Walker Methodist will share tools created and used at their organization to track and manage PPE supplies. The webinar will be approximately 30 minutes and will include time for Q&A. If you’d like to attend this webinar, register HERE.

Start 2021 off with new staff joining your team!

Skilled nursing facilities have the ability to train caregivers quickly using the Basic Care Aide and Paid Feeding Assistant programs from EduCare. The expedited training programs are eligible under the current 1135 waiver, allowing you to train Basic Care Aides in just 9 hours and paid feeding assistants within 2 hours. Basic Care Aides are eligible to work in place of traditional nursing assistants.

Last week, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) published Proposed Rules and Notice of Hearing in the State Register. This effectively begins the formal public comment period on the proposed rules that will govern licensed assisted living settings after Aug. 1, 2021. This is a significant advocacy opportunity for LeadingAge Minnesota members, as the process invites the public to weigh in on the rules and express support or concerns.

Minnesota's Serious Illness Action Network

To address urgent needs in serious illness care during (COVID-19), Stratis Health and Minnesota Network of Hospice & Palliative Care (MNHPC) convened a virtual forum in August 2020, resulting in a new report that includes action plans for the pandemic and beyond.

Included in the passage of the 5,593 page COVID-19 relief and FY21 appropriations bills package is H.R. 1690, which requires HUD- and USDA-subsidized housing to have carbon monoxide alarms in units that have combustion-fueled appliances or a ventilation system that connects them to such units.

The Minnesota Health Care Loan Forgiveness program cycle is now open and accepting applications through January 15, 2021. The Loan Forgiveness program is available for various health care professionals serving in high-need areas including nurses in long term care.