News
News related to "dhs"
Choose an article below to learn more about this topic.
Waiver and Medical Assistance Financial Eligibility Renewals at the End of PHE Continuous Coverage Period
On April 13, 2023 by Bobbie Guidry
On April 7, the Minnesota Department of Human Services released Bulletin #23-21-08: DHS Announces Key MHCP Eligibility Policies during the Unwinding Period (PDF), which announces timelines for restarting Medical Assistance renewals after Public Health Emergency continuous coverage requirements end. These timelines also apply to reassessments for waiver and AC programs, including financial eligibility redeterminations for the AC program.
Reminder from DHS: CADI and BI Age Limit for New Customized Living Settings
On April 13, 2023 by Bobbie Guidry
In a recent bulletin, the Department of Human Services (DHS) reminded providers that effective Jan. 11, 2021, an age limitation was applied to new customized living (CL) services settings for Brain Injury (BI) and Community Access for Disability Inclusion (CADI) waiver programs. Customized living services settings operational on or after Jan. 11, 2021, are limited to serving people on the BI and CADI waivers who are age 55 and older. This change was announced in the Implementation of the HCBS rule tiered standards, effective Jan. 11, 2021.
DHS Begins Posting Preliminary Quality of Life Survey Results for Care Centers
On March 16, 2023 by Jeff Bostic
The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) is starting to share the preliminary resident quality of life results from the current round of surveys. Care centers can visit the DHS Provider Portal, click the Resident Quality of Life Ratings tab, and finally, the 2022 Observed Quality of Life Scores link.
HCBS Settings Rule Implementation Deadline Is Here
On March 9, 2023 by Bobbie Guidry
The Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Settings Rule became effective on March 17, 2014, with transition activities underway since that time. Due to covid delays, the date for full compliance is March 17.
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.
2023 DHS PIPP Proposal Resources Available
On February 16, 2023 by Julie Apold
The 2023 Minnesota Department of Human Services Nursing Facility Performance-Based Incentive Payment Program (PIPP) Request for Proposals (RFP) information is now available.
Providers Should Weigh Pros and Cons of Federal Employee Retention Credit
On February 2, 2023 by Jeff Bostic
As more providers continue to look at applying for an Employee Retention Credit (ERC), LeadingAge, our national partner, has developed a Frequently Asked Questions document that covers issues around eligibility and applying for those funds.
New Supplemental Nursing Services Agency Caps in Effect
On February 2, 2023 by Jeff Bostic
Each year, the state calculates the average salary of RNs, LPNs, CNAs, and TMAs in care centers using the data from the annual cost reports. Then the state computes the statutory caps on the amount Supplemental Nursing Services Agencies (SNSAs) can charge per hour for each type of staff. The new caps, effective Jan. 1, show significant increases due to staffing cost increases during the pandemic.
Required Training for Provider Enrollment and Revalidation
On January 26, 2023 by Bobbie Guidry
Providers enrolled or seeking enrollment with the State Department of Human Services (DHS) as home and community-based service providers, including waiver-paid customized living or adult day services, must include evidence of two specific trainings.
Revalidation underway for HCBS Providers (organizations beginning with S & T) – Training Available
On January 12, 2023 by Bobbie Guidry
Minnesota Health Care Programs (MHCP) sent revalidation notices at the end of December to Home and Community-Based Services (provider type 18 organizations starting with letters S and T).
Six Care Centers Apply for Moratorium Exceptions Process Funding
On January 5, 2023 by Jeff Bostic
The current round of applications for nursing facility moratorium exceptions has closed. The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) recently informed LeadingAge Minnesota that six care centers submitted proposals for this round. A review committee will hear the proposals in February, and the MDH commissioner will announce the approved projects by April 6.
DHS to Offset Employee Retention Credits from Care Center Rates
On January 5, 2023 by Jeff Bostic
The Department of Human Services (DHS) recently informed us that they intend to offset the revenue from the federal Employee Retention Credit (ERC) from care center costs based on the wages and taxes used in the ERC application. That means that some care centers will see reductions in their rate for the rate year that started this Jan. 1. DHS auditors have begun requesting detailed information from care centers that have applied for the ERC to determine these offsets.
DHS Offers Provider Capacity Grants for Rural & Underserved Communities
On December 15, 2022 by Mark Schulz
The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) is conducting a second round of grant funding for HCBS providers supporting rural and underserved communities.
Minnesota Ahead of Most States in Effort to Comply with HCBS Settings Rule
On December 1, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry
The federal government is giving states and providers an ultimatum to make progress on meeting the requirements of the home- and community-based services settings final rule that goes into effect in the spring. Minnesota is only one of 18 States that has already received final approval of the statewide transition plan. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) approved the Minnesota State Transition plan on Feb. 12, 2019.
Care Center Rate Notices Likely to Arrive after Jan. 1
On December 1, 2022 by Jeff Bostic
As Jan. 1 approaches, it appears likely that rate notices will not arrive for most care centers by the start of the new rate year. We expect that the rate increase for most care centers will be significant this year because the cost report being used (year-end Sept. 30, 2021) reflects a drop in occupancy and the considerable increase in costs that happened during the pandemic. Therefore, it is time for providers to consider giving notice to private pay residents about increases on Jan. 1.
Elderly Waiver Rate Caps Increasing January 1
On November 17, 2022 by Jeff Bostic
The customized living, 24-hour customized living, and overall case mix caps in the Elderly Waiver (EW) program increase effective Jan. 1, 2023, because they are tied to the rise in care center rates. The 24-hour customized living caps will increase by 9.69%, which is the amount of the 2022 care center increase, and the overall EW caps are going up by 9.63% due to minor rate changes in a couple of EW services.
DHS Releases RFP for Consultant to Advise on Case Mix Transition
On October 27, 2022 by Jeff Bostic
Earlier this week, the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) released a Request for Proposal (RFP) hire a consultant who will review the RUGS-IV case mix system used in the state's Value-Based Reimbursement (VBR) care center payment system under Medicaid.
DHS Announces Plan for Care Center Rate Notices for 2023
On October 27, 2022 by Jeff Bostic
Most care centers will receive an official rate notice for 2023 in January, according to a Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) announcement.
New AL License Requirement Added for Renewals After August 1, 2022
On September 29, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry
An announcement from MDH of a new assisted living license requirement has caused some confusion among providers who have just completed their first AL license renewal. The new provision applies to AL licenses renewed beginning August 1, 2022 and requires evidence showing that at least one resident was served during the previous licensing period to the renewal process.
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.