News

End of Banding Means Disability Waiver Rate Changes in 2020 for Adult Day, Other Providers

On December 3, 2019 by Jeff Bostic

The banding process for disability waiver rates, which ties the rates paid to many providers to their historical rate rather than paying the full Disability Waiver Rate System (DWRS) rate, is ending in 2020.  The end of banding will mean rate changes for adult day and other providers serving disability waiver clients.  

Consolidated RMS Worksheet for Day and Employment-Related Services

On October 23, 2019 by Roni Falck

In response to feedback from partners who requested a simplified process, the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) has consolidated all Rate Management System (RMS) worksheets for day and employment services into a single form. 

National Adult Day Services Week: Ending Social Isolation

On August 28, 2019 by Roni Falck

National Adult Day Services Week, which takes place Sept. 15-21, is a great opportunity to highlight the important work these valued providers do every day. Our theme this year is focused on raising public awareness on how Adult Day Services can help prevent loneliness and social isolation.  

New Resource on Documentation Requirements for Waiver Services

On July 30, 2019 by Jeff Bostic

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) has released a short document that summarizes new statutory requirements around documentation for waiver services. 

Adult Day: Rising to the Challenge and Leading Person-Centered Care in the Community

On July 2, 2019 by Jodi Boyne

Growing demand for adult day services is putting new expectations on providers, including a need to serve people with more medical needs -- and providers, including those in Minnesota, are rising to the challenge.  

New Information and Training on Veteran Community Care Networks

On July 2, 2019 by Roni Falck

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is shifting the way in which it works with community providers to expand the provider network and improve customer service for veterans and timeliness of payment for providers. 

Adult Day Services: Strategies to Reduce Absenteeism Webinar April 22

On April 10, 2019 by Heidi Simpson

Get practical tools, strategies and resources to help reduce client absences from your program, and the related negative impact on revenue and staffing. Find details and registration for the April 22 webinar here.

DWRS Bill Advances at the Legislature

On March 26, 2019 by Jeff Bostic

The House Long Term Care Committee advanced a Disability Waiver Rate System (DWRS) bill to its next committee stop this week that will be helpful in some ways to DWRS providers if it ultimately becomes law, but also impose new burdens. 

CMS Releases Guidance on HCBS Settings Rule; Provider Uncertainty Remains

On March 26, 2019 by Bobbie Guidry

The Centers of Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released guidance last week to frequently asked questions on the implementation of activities associated with the final Home and Community-Based Services Settings Rule. While there is some good news in the guidance for adult day services providers, there are additional questions being raised by providers on the lack of clarification in several areas – including those looking to build and/or expand in the next few years.  

Adult Day Services Strategies to Reduce Absenteeism

On March 26, 2019 by Heidi Simpson

Ask an adult day program provider their #1 challenge, and chances are you’ll hear about absenteeism and the unexpected loss of revenue it creates. A webinar on April 22 helps address this challenge and offers real tools, strategies and resources to reduce client absences. 

Learn from other providers who have implemented successful absenteeism policies and how you can do the same. Find details and registration here.

Monthly VA Billing Webinar

On March 6, 2019 by Roni Falck

The Veterans Health Administration has announced a monthly webinar on its Community Care programs and policies. The webinars are geared toward all providers with a contract or provider agreement to provide VA paid services.  

Governor’s Budget Cuts Care Center Funding, Assumes Fee-Drive Approach to Assisted Living Oversight

On February 20, 2019 by Jeff Bostic

Governor Tim Walz and Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan yesterday released the One Minnesota budget that proposes to spend $49 billion in the next two years on a wide range of priorities. The budget contained mixed news for older adult services. While it supports the interim work on older adult protection, the budget does not include increased Elderly Waiver funding, only partially funds the DWRS increase for adult day providers, assumes a fee-driven approach for assisted living providers and reduces Value-Based Reimbursement for care centers. 

Adult Day: DWRS Bill Puts Access to Services At Risk; Take Action Today

On February 19, 2019 by Jeff Bostic

The Minnesota House Health and Human Services Policy Committee last week heard bills to address issues around the Disability Waiver Rate System (DWRS). The action taken by the committee is not in keeping with the goals of DWRS providers and creates a clear need for advocacy by impacted providers, including our Adult Day Services members. 

DHS Recommends New Licensing Standards for Adult Day

On January 29, 2019 by Roni Falck

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) is recommending the development of proposed licensing standards for Adult Day Services, among other recommendations, in a report that was recently provided to the Minnesota Legislature. 

2 New Resources to Help Adult Day Providers Remain Compliant

On January 8, 2019 by Roni Falck

Adult Day Services providers now have access to two new resources from the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) to help them remain compliant: a webinar on licensing surveys, regulations and expectations and several sample policies and forms. 

Adult Day Services: A Closer Look at Individual Service Planning

On December 31, 2018 by Roni Falck

In our recent assessment of Adult Day Services surveys by the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS), we found several deficiencies in record keeping regarding Individual Service Planning. In this edition of our “Adult Day Services: A Closer Look” series, we review the requirements for the most common deficiencies in Individual Service Planning and link you to resources that will help you comply with the requirements.  

A Closer Look: 2019 MA Plan’s HCBS Supplemental Benefits

On December 18, 2018 by Guest Contributor

Two new reports shed more light on how Medicare Advantage Organizations (MAOs) evaluated offering the new benefits for 2019 Medicare Advantage plans. The conclusion? Few plans – only 102 – are testing the new benefits in 2019, with more looking to offer some new Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) in 2020. The report also note that challenges remain. 

Connect Veterans with Adult Day Services

On November 28, 2018 by Jodi Boyne

In a recent call with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), LeadingAge learned that there has been a 2 percent increase in the utilization of Adult Day Services by veterans in recent years, compared to 17 percent growth in other services. To turn this around, the VA expects to roll out several initiatives to boost Adult Day Services options for veterans that include: 

New Study Recommends Updating Adult Day Licensure, Using Data-Based Outcomes

On November 7, 2018 by Roni Falck

The first report in the Adult Day Services studies being conducted by the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) has been released and could provide some insight into potential legislative initiatives for the upcoming legislative session: 

Adult Day Services: Explore Opportunities, Resolve Concerns with Veterans Affairs

On October 23, 2018 by Roni Falck

LeadingAge will host a call with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to discuss resources for current and new Adult Day Services providers, specifically how to begin working with Veterans Affairs and how to resolve ongoing concerns. The call takes place Nov. 5 from 1 – 2 p.m.