News

MDH, DHS Postpone Nursing Home Provider Webinar

On April 13, 2023 by Mark Schulz

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and the Department of Human Services (DHS) have postponed the webinar scheduled for 1 p.m. on April 17 to provide information on nursing home topics including:

• Receivership
• Closure and emergency relocation procedures
• The role of governing board

Members Attend LeadingAge Minnesota Mini Day at the Capitol

On April 13, 2023 by LeadingAge

On Wednesday of this week, a group of LeadingAge Minnesota members attended a “Mini Day at the Capitol” in an effort to continually share our stories and drive legislative action. They had the opportunity to meet with their lawmakers to discuss our long-term care policy priorities and share their stories.

Drive Advocacy by Sharing Caregiver and Senior Voices with Your Networks

On April 13, 2023 by Dan Nelson

LeadingAge Minnesota is launching a statewide digital advocacy campaign featuring a series of videos that tell the stories of caregivers and seniors. The goal of the campaign is to drive advocacy at a critical time in the legislative session.

Mark Your Calendars to Attend June District Meetings

On April 13, 2023 by Barbara Landeen

District Meetings are the perfect opportunity to build relationships with your regional colleagues, stay up-to-date on important issues that impact your work and community, and gain helpful resources to make your work easier. They also serve as an essential governance function of your association.

Workforce Technology Solutions Playbook – Scheduling Software

On April 6, 2023 by Julie Apold

The Scheduling Software Playbook is the first in a series of workforce technology solution playbooks designed to assist you in identifying technology solutions to help address the workforce crisis.

QSO Updates Enforcement for Infection Control Citations

On April 6, 2023 by Kari Everson

On March 30, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released QSO-23-10-NH, which rescinds QSO-20-31-NH and provides updated guidance on enforcement for infection control non-compliance. As a result, enforcement actions are more severe than before when cited under F880 and/or F887.

Without Addressing Staffing Mandate, CMS Updates SNF Rates in Proposed PPS Rule

On April 6, 2023 by Jeff Bostic

Earlier this week, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published the annual proposed rule that updates the Prospective Payment System (PPS) rates for care centers. The rule calls for an update in the rates starting Oct. 1, which averages 3.7%.

Providers Join Lawmakers to Call for Nursing Home Funding

On March 30, 2023 by Libbie Chapuran

On Thursday afternoon, several nursing home providers from across the state visited the Capitol to support funding for nursing homes in the House Human Services bill. 

House Human Services Committee Releases Omnibus Bill with Mixed Results for Senior Care

On March 30, 2023 by Erin Huppert

The Minnesota House Human Services Committee released its omnibus finance bill this week. The budget bill includes some priority legislation like Elderly Waiver funding and a PACE rate study but stops short of investing in skilled nursing care for older adults.

Safe Care Addresses CMS Focus on Patient Safety

On March 23, 2023 by Julie Apold

During National Patient Safety Awareness Week, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) highlighted their renewed focus on patient safety because harm is still too common and often preventable in a blog published on its website. Progress in patient safety has significantly declined since the beginning of the pandemic erasing previous patient safety gains.

Walz’s Revised Budget Addresses Hospital Back-Ups, Not LTC Funding

On March 23, 2023 by Jeff Bostic

Governor Tim Walz recently updated his budget proposal and introduced some new spending initiatives after the most recent budget forecast was released. Unfortunately, those initiatives do not include a rate increase for care centers despite the ongoing staffing and financial challenges. Despite the lack of support from the Governor, the Long-Term Care Imperative continues to work with legislators to advocate for this vitally needed funding.

Media Round-up: Advocates from Around the State Share Stories with Their Neighbors

On March 16, 2023 by Libbie Chapuran

Around the state, LeadingAge Minnesota members have been lifting their voices and sharing their stories in the media to advance our goal of supporting seniors and their caregivers through legislative action.

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.

February Budget Forecast Shows Unprecedented Opportunity to Address Senior Care Funding Needs

On March 2, 2023 by Jeff Bostic

Minnesota’s updated state economic forecast was released Monday, and Minnesota’s budget and economic outlook remain historically strong, with a $17.5 billion balance projected for the next biennium. The Minnesota Legislature will use this forecast to determine how much money each budget area, including health and human services, will be allowed to spend.

Bill to Create Statewide Paid Family Leave Program Moves Through Legislature

On February 16, 2023 by Erin Huppert

A legislative proposal to create a statewide paid family leave program is moving rapidly through the Legislature this year with implications for employers and their employees.

Build Connections to Make an Impact

On February 16, 2023 by Kari Thurlow

LeadingAge Minnesota is more than an association. It’s a community built on a foundation of meaningful relationships and a common understanding of what it means to be an aging services professional. Our shared experiences help us know deeply the profound impact chronic underfunding of senior care services has on the well-being of professional caregivers, their families, and the people we serve.

Joining the Minnesota Geriatrics ECHO

On January 26, 2023 by Libbie Chapuran

Would you value being in a supportive cohort of Assisted Living Directors, Licensed Nursing Home Administrators, Nurse Leaders, and Medical Directors from across the state to explore challenging issues? If you're open to a candid discussion of your knowledge, questions, and experiences working with older adults, read on!

$400,000 Secured to Launch a Caregiver Campaign

On January 26, 2023 by Anna Mowry

We are thrilled to announce that LeadingAge Minnesota has been awarded over $400,000 to launch a statewide campaign to recruit new caregivers.

Reminder: Don’t Let Your Insurance Policies Lapse

On January 19, 2023 by Mark Schulz

A recent federal court case regarding a wrongful death claim is a good reminder for all providers: check the expiration dates on your insurance policies.

Federal Trade Commission Proposes Rule to Prohibit Noncompete Clauses

On January 12, 2023 by Mark Schulz

On Jan. 5, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to prohibit employers from imposing noncompete clauses on workers. Noncompete clauses or agreements block people from working for a competing employer or starting a competing business after their current employment ends.