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News related to "covid-19"
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Vaccine FAQs Revisited: Which Vaccine Rules Applies to Your Setting?
On November 11, 2021 by Kari Everson
Alongside our members, LeadingAge Minnesota is working to answer questions regarding both the OSHA and CMS Vaccine and Testing Emergency Temporary Standards. We have shared answers each day as quickly as possible, but we would like to summarize some of the frequently asked questions we are getting from members across the state.
What is the OSHA Emergency Temporary Standard for Healthcare?
On November 11, 2021 by Jonathan Lips
When OSHA’s Nov. 5 COVID-19 Vaccine and Testing Emergency Temporary Standard (the “Vaccine ETS”) indicates that it does not apply to workplaces that are subject to the requirements of a broader COVID-19 Healthcare Emergency Temporary Standard (the “Healthcare ETS”) that OHSA released in June 2021.
CMS Vaccination Rule Challenged by 10-State Coalition
On November 11, 2021 by Jonathan Lips
The Associated Press has reported that a coalition of 10 states sued the federal government on Nov. 10 to block the CMS COVID-19 vaccine requirement for health care workers. The CMS rule remains in full effect, and the filing of this suit has no impact unless and until the court issues a ruling. We will follow this breaking story closely, but long-term care providers should continue working to implement the CMS vaccine rules.
MDH, DHS, CMS Clarify, Add Detail to Vaccination Rules
On November 11, 2021 by Jonathan Lips
State and federal regulators have added clarifying information to the conversation about how vaccine rules will be implemented and enforced in long-term care settings.
OSHA Issues Vaccination & Testing ETS
On November 4, 2021 by Kari Everson
The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) completed work on the Vaccination and Testing Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) and published information about the ETS this morning.
CMS Issues Omnibus COVID-19 Vaccination Rule
On November 4, 2021 by Jonathan Lips
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) today released the long-awaited rule requiring COVID-19 vaccination of staff working in a wide-range of Medicare and Medicaid-certified provider types.
Kick-Start Your Meetings with More Joy
On November 4, 2021 by Julie Apold
Do you want to bring more joy to your workplace? One way to start is the way you begin meetings.
Argentum Launches New Campaign to Promote PRF Payments for Assisted Living
On October 28, 2021 by Libbie Chapuran
Argentum officially kicked off its latest awareness campaign directed at policymakers in the Biden Administration and Congress. The theme of this campaign is "Don’t Leave Assisted Living Behind, Again," underscoring the continued disparities in relief and support that has been made available to senior living and the need to rectify it moving forward, including with the Phase 4 PRF payments.
Reflexive COVID-19 Testing Opportunities for Congregate Settings
On October 28, 2021 by Roni Falck
The Midwest Coordination Center, in partnership with U.S. Health and Human Services Department is rolling out a free, federally funded COVID-19 reflexive testing program for congregate setting, including skilled nursing facilities, assisted living, and adult day services.
FDA, CDC Approve Moderna and Johnson & Johnson Booster Vaccinations
On October 28, 2021 by Kari Everson
After weeks of discussions, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) added booster vaccinations to the emergency use authorization (EUA) for both Moderna and Johnson & Johnson. The CDC endorsed recommendations for booster injections.
MDH Seeking Information about Out of State Health Providers
On October 21, 2021 by Jonathan Lips
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is seeking information about out-of-state health professionals who provided services under a State executive order earlier in the pandemic.
Renewal of Determination That A Public Health Emergency Exists
On October 21, 2021 by Jonathan Lips
As a result of the continued consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services took action to extend the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) for another 90 days, effective Oct. 15. The PHE will now be in place until mid-Jan. 2022.
MDH and DHS Seek SNF Assistance with Hospital Decompression
On October 21, 2021 by Kari Thurlow
The Departments of Human Services (DHS) and Health (MDH) are working with hospitals and long-term care providers to quickly identify 4-5 skilled nursing facilities that can stand up "hospital decompression sites" that would allow for increased movement between acute and post-acute settings.
Workgroup at an Impasse on Frontline Worker Bonuses; Prospects for Special Session Grow Dim
On October 21, 2021 by Kari Thurlow
The Frontline Worker Pay Work Group met yesterday—more than a month past its designated deadline for reaching an agreement—and announced that there was still no agreement for distributing the $250 million designated by the legislature for frontline worker bonuses.
Press Release: Long-Term Care Imperative Applauds Health Care Decompression Strike Teams
On October 15, 2021 by Libbie Chapuran
SAINT PAUL, MN (Oct. 15, 2021) - Minnesota is experiencing a crisis in caregiving, and it is affecting the entire health care continuum. We applaud efforts to address health care backups through strike teams. Strike teams are very much needed to provide temporary relief and respite to exhausted caregivers. But it will not solve one of the root causes of the problem: staffing shortages in long-term care.
Vaccination Rates Increasing as Care Center Mandate Approaches
On October 7, 2021 by Jeff Bostic
The most recent Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) update on long-term care vaccination shows that staff vaccination rates have increased in the last couple of months as the mandate for vaccination of care center staff draws closer.
Provider Relief Fund (PRF) Application Portal Open
On September 30, 2021 by Jeff Bostic
Earlier this week, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) opened the application portal for the latest Provider Relief Funds (PRF) round. In this round, $25.5 billion in funding is available for health care providers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Outbreak Testing: Who to Test and What are the Parameters?
On September 30, 2021 by Kari Everson
Top of mind for many members is the CDC guidance regarding testing during an outbreak. When a new facility onset case of COVID-19 is found in a staff member or resident, the organization must proceed with outbreak testing. So how do we know who to test and what are the testing parameters? The information below may give you the answers you need.
State Medical Director Updates Testing Orders, Allows Broader Use of Antigen Testing
On September 30, 2021 by Kari Everson
Recently, Minnesota's state medical director eliminated a significant barrier to using antigen testing in assisted living settings.
Payment Committee Hosting Special Meeting on Care Center Rates
On September 30, 2021 by Jeff Bostic
The LeadingAge Minnesota Payment Committee is holding a special meeting next Wednesday, Oct. 6, at 10 a.m. to discuss the status of care center Medicaid rates for 2022 in light of recent information from DHS on their plans to implement cost offsets due to federal aid received by providers.