News

Proposed Changes to Assisted Living Laws Aim to Improve Affordability and Ease RN Shortage

On March 28, 2024 by Erin Huppert

This week in St. Paul, SF 1969, a bill supported by the LeadingAge Minnesota and its Long-Term Care Imperative partner, was heard in the Senate Human Services Committee. This marks progress in our efforts to improve the assisted living statutes to improve affordability and ease workforce burdens.

Year-End Assisted Living Audits and the Essential Guide

On November 30, 2023 by Bobbie Guidry

As 2023 ends, assisted living settings should consider auditing compliance with required postings and procedures.

Telling Minnesota’s Assisted Living Story

On November 16, 2023 by Libbie Chapuran

Argentum, LeadingAge Minnesota's national partner for assisted living providers, has shared that a national publication based in Washington, DC, plans to report on several assisted living topics.

Legislative Committee Holds Informational Hearing on Agency Progress for Assisted Living Providers

On August 3, 2023 by Erin Huppert

On Friday, Aug. 28, the House and Senate Human Services Committees held a joint informational hearing to receive progress updates from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) regarding several 2023 issues, including the development of recommendations for smaller providers of assisted living services. 

Senate Human Services Holds Hearing on LTC Imperative Priorities

On March 2, 2023 by Erin Huppert

After a blizzard-induced postponement, the Senate Human Services Committee took up three long-term care bills championed by LeadingAge Minnesota and its Long-Term Care Imperative partner on Monday afternoon.  The three bills represent the breadth of aging services and the need to ensure they are available for seniors in all the places they call home. All three bills were laid over for inclusion in the committee’s omnibus bill, which will be assembled and passed later this session.

Care Centers to Select New QIIP Goals

On September 29, 2022 by Jeff Bostic

DHS announced in August that they had opened the selection process for all care centers in the Medical Assistance program to select a new goal to work on for another round of the Quality Improvement Incentive Payment Program (QIIP). Each year, based on their progress toward the goal they select, care centers receive a rate increase of $0 to $3.50 per resident day for QIIP. 

Resident and Family Satisfaction Surveys to Inform Assisted Living Report Card

On September 28, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry

In partnership with Vital Research, the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Minnesota Board on Aging are preparing for data collection for the Assisted Living Report Card. Assisted living directors will be informed by letter of the plans for this year's statewide assisted living resident quality of life and family satisfaction surveys in early October.

Assisted Living Facility Capacity Changes Can Now Be Requested Throughout the Year

On September 15, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry

The Health Regulation Division (HRD) of the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) will now take requests to change the capacity of assisted living settings any time throughout the year. MDH has reversed its previous practice, which limited change of capacity requests to the time of license renewal.

Renew Your Assisted Living License This Week to Avoid Fines

On July 18, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry

Current assisted living licenses expire on July 31. Beginning Monday, Aug. 1, assisted living facilities operating without a license will be fined $250 per day.

Assisted Living License Renewals Now Open

On May 5, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry

License renewals for assisted living are now open. The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) received 115 applications during this first week. If you have not received your renewal information, contact MDH at health.assistedliving@state.mn.us.

Assisted Living License Renewals Open in One Week

On April 28, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) will be sending you renewal information on or before May 1 for your assisted living license renewal for conversion licenses. MDH developed materials to help you prepare your assisted living license renewal application on the MDH website.

Now Available - Emergency Preparedness in Assisted Living Recorded Webinar

On August 11, 2021 by Heidi Simpson

A recording of the July 22 webinar, Emergency Preparedness in Assisted Living, is available for purchase to help your assisted living organization comply with new, extensive requirements for disaster planning and emergency preparedness, which incorporate federal preparedness standards. This is an area of scrutiny in assisted living surveys, and recent mock surveys identified substantial gaps in providers' readiness.

Order your copy here.

Customized Living Providers: Update Your DHS RHCP Record

On July 28, 2021 by Bobbie Guidry

As we transition to Assisted Living Licensure on Aug. 1, action is required to be a provider of Medical Assistance waiver programs in the Provider Enrollment record with the Department of Human Services.

Assisted Living Bill of Rights – Complete Yours Today!

On July 28, 2021 by Kari Everson

Implementation of assisted living licensure is only days away, and there are many process changes to both operational and clinical work. A new Assisted Living Bill of Rights was created and posted on the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) website many weeks ago. Organizations are required to ensure all residents living in assisted living receive a copy.

Survey Forms posted for Assisted Living Licensed Settings

On July 21, 2021 by Bobbie Guidry

On Friday, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) posted the forms staff will use to conduct a survey under the new assisted living licensure laws.

Review Recently Published Assisted Living Licensure Rules

On July 21, 2021 by Bobbie Guidry

The Minnesota Department of Health has announced the Notice of Adoption for the Rules Governing Assisted Living Facilities was published in the State Register on July 19. You may review the Notice of Adoption on the Minnesota State Register website, State Register Volume 46, Number 3 (Page 33).

Emergency Preparedness in Assisted Living (July 22 Webinar)

On July 14, 2021 by Heidi Simpson

Get a detailed overview of the new requirements for disaster planning and emergency preparedness as part of Minnesota's Assisted Living Licensure, which takes effect on Aug.

Assessments Versus Monitoring: What’s the Difference?

On July 14, 2021 by Kari Everson

With the implementation of the new assisted living requirements on Aug. 1, organizations are attempting to work out their policies and processes related to assessments and ongoing review and monitoring. A comprehensive assessment, with the items listed as required in the uniform assessment tool, must be offered to all residents moving into an assisted living. The resident has the option to refuse this assessment. If the resident refuses the assessment, the organization should document this refusal.

MDH Expecting Individualized Abuse Prevention Plans for All Assisted Living Residents

On July 14, 2021 by Kari Everson

Assisted living settings are working diligently to have the necessary components in place by Aug. 1. 

Under the new assisted living license, which goes into place on Aug. 1, all assisted living residents must have an individualized abuse prevention plan (IAPP).

HHS Bill Addresses Requirements for Settings Exempt from Assisted Living Licensure

On July 7, 2021 by Bobbie Guidry

The Health and Human Services (HHS) omnibus budget bill passed by lawmakers last month included important policy provisions that ensure that licensed assisted living providers and those providers exempt from assisted licensure will be eligible to receive customized living payments. This legislation paves the way for the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) to issue the Assurance Form for settings that are exempt from assisted living licensure and will ensure residents receiving services in these settings are not disrupted.