News

MDH Releases New Side Rail FAQ for Assisted Living

On May 10, 2022 by Kari Everson

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has recently released new guidance on using side rails in assisted living communities.

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.

Nursing Assistant Test Sites Weekly Update

On May 5, 2022 by Anna Mowry

With the 1135 waiver ending on June 6, members will have until Oct. 6 to place Nursing Assistants on the state registry. Minnesota State and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) communicate weekly updates to LeadingAge Minnesota regarding nursing assistant test sites as they open and increase their capacity.

Expedited Paid Feeding Assistant Curriculum is Available for Free until June 6!

On April 28, 2022 by Anna Mowry

The expedited Paid Feeding Assistant training allowed by CMS throughout the pandemic will end in June.

Last year, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) modified the minimum training requirement for Paid Feeding Assistants from eight hours to one hour under a waiver from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). In an April 7 Memorandum, CMS announced it will terminate the waiver on June 6.

Stay Up to Date: Sign Up for Notifications for Nurse Aid Candidate Handbook

On April 21, 2022 by Anna Mowry

Periodically, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) may update the Nurse Aide Candidate Handbooks and Mock Skills to reflect the most current guidance.

FAQ: Background Studies Resubmission Process

On April 21, 2022 by Jonathan Lips

Recently members have raised questions relating to resubmitting background studies for individuals hired during the COVID-19 waiver period, and this article addresses some of the common issues we are seeing.

State has Funding to Cover all Current Moratorium Exceptions Proposals

On April 21, 2022 by Jeff Bostic

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has more than enough funding to cover all currently moratorium exceptions projects proposed by nursing homes across the state.

CMS Announces End Dates for Various COVID Waivers, Including Nurse Aide Certification

On April 7, 2022 by Jonathan Lips

In a Memorandum released on April 7, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that it will terminate several temporary emergency declaration blanket waivers that have provided nursing facilities and other provider types with flexibilities designed to support the COVID response.

Norovirus Infections on the Rise

On March 31, 2022 by Kari Everson

Infection prevention and control is a significant focus in our settings, particularly because of the COVID-19 pandemic. In Minnesota, we are starting to see an increase in another common illness: the Norovirus.

MDH Offers Assisted Living Focused Lunch and Learn Series on Emergency Preparedness

On March 3, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry

Join the Minnesota Department of Health's Health Regulation Division starting March 8 to learn how your Assisted Living facility can prepare for emergencies. The first Lunch and Learn will provide an overview of emergency preparedness and why the requirements in the law are essential to protect Minnesotans residing in assisted living facilities.

MDH ALL Together Newsletter Conveys Top Ten Survey Citations

On February 3, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry

In their second ALL Together newsletter, the Health Regulation Division of MDH shared the top ten tags in assisted living and assisted living with dementia care licensed settings.

Change of Information Form available on MDH website for Assisted Living Providers

On January 20, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has made the Change of Information Form available on the Assisted Living web page.

Nurse Loan Forgiveness Program – Last Chance to Apply!

On January 13, 2022 by Jenna Kellerman

The Minnesota Health Care Loan Forgiveness program cycle is accepting applications through Monday, Jan. 17, 2022. The Loan Forgiveness program is available for various health care professionals serving in high-need areas, including nurses in nursing homes, assisted living, and home care settings. You can find general program information for long-term care on the MDH website.

Recent CED Guidance on Exposed Healthcare Workers And Return To Work

On January 13, 2022 by Kari Everson

The CDC released revisions to their Interim Guidance for Managing Healthcare Personnel with SARS-CoV-2 Infection or Exposure to SARS-CoV-2 and Strategies to Mitigate Healthcare Personnel (HCW) Staffing Shortages on Dec. 23, 2021. There are significant changes to return to work for staff who experience high-risk exposures in the recent update.

Providers Must Continue Preparation for Implementation of CMS Vaccination Mandate

On January 6, 2022 by Jonathan Lips

As previously reported, CMS has announced that it will begin enforcing its Omnibus COVID-19 Health Care Staff Vaccination mandate for facilities located in all states where the rule is not currently blocked by a legal injunction, including Minnesota. CMS has not published new information over the past several days, but we wanted to share what we know for any readers who missed our story last week.

MDH Discusses Revised CDC Guidance: Return to Work, Expanded Staffing Strategies

On December 30, 2021 by Kari Everson

On the Minnesota Department of Health’s (MDH) long-term care call this week, the Department discussed the updated CDC guidance released on Dec. 23. It appears the CDC guidance will be adopted for our settings. MDH reported it is the intention of CMS to revise the current memos to be in alignment with this guidance. The publication timeline for updated CMS memo(s) is unknown.

Transition to Fingerprint-Based Background Studies Pushed Out for MDH-Licensed Providers

On December 30, 2021 by Jonathan Lips

Providers licensed by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), including home care, assisted living facilities, and nursing homes, will not transition back to fingerprint-based background studies until Feb. 2, 2022. Until the transition occurs, these providers will continue to submit emergency studies, as we have been doing throughout the pandemic.

MDH Engineering Provides Survey Checklist for Assisted Living

On December 9, 2021 by Bobbie Guidry

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) shared a checklist to help guide assisted living providers in self-auditing compliance with physical environment requirements. The checklist covers the details from 144G that surveyors are looking for in the areas of:

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.

Webinar for Applicants: Nurse Loan Forgiveness Program

On November 4, 2021 by Jenna Kellerman

The Minnesota Health Care Loan Forgiveness program cycle opens Nov. 1 and is accepting applications through Jan. 17, 2022. The Loan Forgiveness program is available for various health care professionals serving in high-need areas, including nurses in nursing homes, assisted living, and home care settings. Please join the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) team for a webinar to learn more about this program on Wednesday, Dec. 8 from 9-10 a.m. Register here.