News

Notice to Private Pay Residents Needed by Jan. 1

On December 30, 2021 by Jeff Bostic

As we reported about a month ago, the Minnesota Department of Health (DHS) will not be posting care center rate notices before the start of the new rate year on Jan. 1. Rate notices not being available for the beginning of the rate year makes the billing of private pay residents much more complicated than usual. It also impacts the notice requirements.

Federal COVID-19 Aid Will Not Impact Care Center Rates

On November 18, 2021 by Jeff Bostic

As of this week, the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) announced that Provider Relief Funds (PRF) and Paycheck Protection Program Loans (PPP) will not be offset in care center rates.

DHS Delays Transition to Fingerprint-Based Background Studies for MDH-Licensed Providers

On November 11, 2021 by Jonathan Lips

This week, the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) announced that MDH-licensed providers, including home care, assisted living facilities, and nursing homes, will not transition back to fingerprint-based background studies until Jan. 5, 2022. Until the transition occurs, these providers will continue to submit emergency studies, as we have been doing throughout the pandemic.

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.

DHS Offering “Grace Period” for 2021 Cost Reports

On November 4, 2021 by Jeff Bostic

For care centers participating in the Medicaid program, the annual cost report for the year ended Sept. 30, 2021 is due Feb. 1, 2022 under the current statute.

Due to “exceptional circumstances” attributed to the pandemic and staffing shortages, the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) is offering a grace period for submitting the cost report and associated schedules of 150 days. The grace period makes the effective due date of the cost report July 1, 2022. The cost report instructions are currently posted on the DHS nursing facility portal; the actual cost report form and other schedules will be posted later.

DHS Implementing New Surcharge Billing Process for Bed Changes

On November 4, 2021 by Jeff Bostic

For the next six months, the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) is trying a new process when care centers change their number of beds.

New Sexual Abuse Training Materials Available to all Minnesota Nursing Homes

On October 28, 2021 by Lori Meyer

To help raise awareness of sexual assault, an issue that can be difficult to address, the State Civil Money Penalty (CMP) Committee has developed a set of materials that you can use to train on this serious topic.

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.

Funding Available for Resident and Family Peer Support Group Program

On September 30, 2021 by Lori Meyer

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) is seeking proposals from qualified Minnesota Medicaid-certified nursing facilities interested in implementing a resident and family peer support group program.

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.

MDH Issues New Recommendations on Protective Actions for Adult Day Services

On August 11, 2021 by Roni Falck

On Aug. 4, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) posted a document communicating recommended protective actions in residential and non-residential settings licensed by DHS in light of the Delta variant. The new guidance provides recommendations on testing, masking, and other protective actions to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

OBRA Level II Evaluative Report Submissions Returning to Pre-COVID-19 Timelines

On August 11, 2021 by Jonathan Lips

In January 2021, the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) temporarily waived the requirement during the peacetime emergency for lead agencies to complete OBRA Level II evaluations before a person’s nursing facility admission.

CMP Dementia Training Grants Still Available

On July 28, 2021 by Lori Meyer

The deadline is fast approaching to apply for a Civil Monetary Penalty (CMP) grant to cover the costs of the award-winning HealthCare Interactive (HCI)-CARES online dementia behavior training for your staff.

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.

Payment & Background Checks Needed for Assisted Living Licensure Completion

On June 30, 2021 by Bobbie Guidry

Last week, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) clarified the final steps providers need to complete to receive their assisted living license by Aug. 1.

DHS Moves Preadmission Screening Information to Senior Linkage Line

On June 16, 2021 by Jeff Bostic

The Minnesota Board on Aging has moved the state policy for pre-admission screenings for nursing facility admission to the Senior LinkAge Line website. The document on this site, which replaces two previous bulletins (19-25-02 and 19-25-03), will be updated regularly as pre-admission screening and level of care policies change.

PIPP Boot Camp Recording Available

On May 12, 2021 by Jeff Bostic

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) has posted materials related to applying for the Performance Incentive Payment Projects (PIPP) program on the nursing facility provider portal (see the links posted about halfway down the main page). Proposals are due by July 1, with rate increases starting on Jan. 1, 2022.

Summer 2021: DHS to Require Submission of COVID Relief Spending Schedule for Care Centers

On May 12, 2021 by Jeff Bostic

After previously delaying the requirement for care centers to submit COVID-19 Relief spending information while awaiting federal guidance, the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) has announced that the special COVID Supplemental Schedule for the cost report year ended Sept. 30, 2020 must be submitted this summer.

DHS Delays Submission of COVID-19 Cost Schedule Indefinitely

On March 17, 2021 by Jeff Bostic

Last week, DHS postponed the special COVID-19 supplemental cost report schedule to track the receipt and use of state and federal funds related to pandemic response until May 3. However, after further reflection on the lack of federal guidance on the reporting of provider relief funds to the federal government, DHS has decided to postpone the submission of the COVID schedule by care centers indefinitely.

Due Date Approaches for Cost Reports Delayed Due to COVID-19

On March 10, 2021 by Jeff Bostic

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) delayed the due date for the cost report for the year ended Sept. 30, 2020 from Feb. 1, 2021 to April 1, 2021. That date is now approaching so members will need to focus on completing that report.