News
Category: State News
Welcome to the State News category. The following news items will keep you informed about state legislation, state-level advocacy and other information about aging services in Minnesota.
DHS Posts Rate Notices for Most Care Centers
On December 2, 2020 by Jeff Bostic
DHS recently posted 2021 calendar year Medicaid rate notices for almost all care centers in the Nursing Facility Provider Portal. These rates are based on the cost reports for the year ended September 30, 2019 and will not reflect any COVID-19 related cost increases.
Licensed Assisted Living Director Rules Published
On December 2, 2020 by Bobbie Guidry
The Minnesota Board of Executives for Long Term Services and Supports (BELTSS) has published the draft rules for the licensure of assisted living directors and has reached the hearing process. Included in the draft rules (pages 515-539) are requirements for licensure, courses, the director in residence requirements, course provider program review and continuing education. The draft rules and Statement of Need and Reasonableness (SONAR) for the Licensed Assisted Living Directors (LALDs) can be accessed on the BELTSS website.
MDH Home Care Matters Call Provides Information on Transition to Assisted Living Licensure
On December 2, 2020 by Bobbie Guidry
In a special “Home Care Matters” call this week, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) provided basic information on assisted living licensure and the transition for settings currently registered as Housing with Services Establishments with “arranged home care providers” to licensure as assisted living facilities.
Special Home Care Matters Call Monday
On November 25, 2020 by Bobbie Guidry
As reported in last week’s Advantage, a special “Home Care Matters Call” will be held Monday, November 30, from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm. On the call MDH will cover Assisted Living Licensure topics and discussion.
Home Care and Assisted Living Providers – Save the Date
On November 18, 2020 by Bobbie Guidry
A special “Home Care Matters Call” will be held Monday, November 30, from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm. The call will cover Assisted Living Licensure topics and discussion. A full announcement with call-in information is expected today and we will share additional detail in next week’s Advantage. Also expected later this week is an FAQ that MDH will cover during the call.
Elderly Waiver Rate Caps Increase January 1
On November 18, 2020 by Jeff Bostic
The customized living and overall case mix caps in the Elderly Waiver (EW) program increase effective January 1 because they are tied to the increase in care center rates. The customized living caps increase by 3.64%, which is the amount of the 2020 care center increase, and the overall EW caps are going up by 3.60% due to some minor rate changes in a couple of EW services. Members should be aware that, particularly for any clients who are near one or both of those caps, the higher cap will allow the case manager to authorize additional services that they have not been able to authorize previously.
Notice of Vacancies on Key State Boards and Councils
On November 11, 2020 by Lori Meyer
The Minnesota Secretary of State released a notice of vacancies for various state boards, councils and committees that are accepting applications. LeadingAge Minnesota members are encouraged to apply for and serve in these important public service roles. Vacancies include:
Grow Your Workforce Through Apprenticeship
On November 11, 2020 by Jenna Kellerman
The Department of Labor and Industry (DOLI) is hosting a series of events during National Apprenticeship Week. Attend their virtual event “Introduction to Apprenticeship for National Apprenticeship Week” on Friday, November 13 at 10:00 AM to learn about registered apprenticeship as a workforce development model. The event will offer an overview of registered apprenticeship and the benefits of growing and sustaining an innovative workforce through employment-based training. Click here to register for the event using the event password: kaPpjyMH983
Legislative Caucuses Elect Leadership
On November 11, 2020 by Kari Thurlow
For two more years, Minnesota will continue to have the distinction of having the only divided Legislature in America, with the Republicans holding on to control of the Minnesota Senate by a one-vote margin and the House DFL retaining control of the House, albeit with a smaller majority than last year.
Required Participation in the DHS Labor Market Survey
On November 4, 2020 by Jenna Kellerman
Beginning in early 2021, the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) is gathering data about direct care workers in Home and Community Based Services organizations. Organizations are asked to identify a contact person to complete this survey and can submit their contact information here.
Assisted Living Director Rules to be Posted for Public Comment December 1
On November 4, 2020 by Bobbie Guidry
On October 25th, staff of the Board of Executives of Long-Term Services and Supports (BELTSS) submitted the draft Licensed Assisted Living Director rules to the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH). The rules will be posted for a 30-day public comment period to begin December 1, 2020 (LeadingAge Minnesota will provide a link as soon as it is available). A Statement of Need and Reasonableness (SONAR) has also been prepared and can be viewed on the BELTSS website along with the updated rule draft.
Legacy Assisted Living Providers in Limbo
On November 4, 2020 by Kari Thurlow
Last week, MDH shared a discussion document with LeadingAge MN staff outlining key questions regarding the application of physical plant and design requirements under the assisted living licensure law to existing settings and those settings under development. At the time 144G passed the Legislature, there was a common understanding among stakeholders that existing providers would be grandfathered under current building codes and new physical plant requirements would not apply. We further understood that these “legacy providers” would include those settings currently under development, so long as they had applied for building permits on or before July 31, 2021.
MDH to Convene Assisted Living Licensure Rules Advisory Committee to Consider Proposed Rules
On November 4, 2020 by Kari Thurlow
MDH has released Proposed Rules for Assisted Living Licensure. It is important to note that these rules are not yet final, and changes may be made through the rulemaking process.
Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs Produces Video to Honor Veterans
On October 28, 2020 by LeadingAge
For the past 15 years, the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs has hosted a live Veterans Day event, typically held at the Veterans Memorial Community Center in Inver Grove Heights.
Final Assisted Living Licensure Rules Advisory Committee Meeting Scheduled
On October 21, 2020 by Bobbie Guidry
The final meeting of the Assisted Living Rules Advisory Committee (RAC) is scheduled for Nov. 5, 2020, 2:30-4:30 p.m. via Webex.
Medical Cannabis Review Panel to Consider New Qualifying Medical Conditions
On October 14, 2020 by Bobbie Guidry
Yesterday, the MN Department of Health announced that the Medical Cannabis Review Panel will meet on Wednesday, Oct. 21, and Thursday, Oct. 22, to discuss petitions for three new potential qualifying medical conditions for participation in Minnesota’s Medical Cannabis Program.
Adult Day Services and Day Support Service
On October 14, 2020 by Roni Falck
As part of the DHS Waiver Reimagine proposal, beginning on January 1, 2021, new clients on disability waivers will not be able to access Adult Day Services until age 55.
DHS Conducting Review of Quality Measurement and Value-Based Reimbursement
On October 14, 2020 by Jeff Bostic
DHS has contracted with a research team at Purdue University to conduct an evaluation of the value-based reimbursement (VBR) payment system as well as the quality measurement efforts of the department.
Licensed Assisted Living Director Update Provided by BELTSS
On October 14, 2020 by Bobbie Guidry
The Minnesota Board of Executives for Long Term Services and Supports (BELTSS) issued a formal notice this week, stating that they are nearing the hearing process for the creation of rules
Health Services Executive Licensing Progresses in Minnesota
On October 14, 2020 by Bobbie Guidry
The Minnesota Board of Executives for Long Term Services and Supports (BELTSS) has begun the hearing process for amendments to rules governing licensure of Health Services Executives (HSE),
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