News

Employee Retention Credit Will Not Impact Care Center Rates

On March 16, 2023 by Jeff Bostic

Earlier this week, Senator Amy Klobuchar’s office informed LeadingAge that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will tell states with cost-based care center payment systems like Minnesota’s to treat Employee Retention Credit (ERC) funds like other federal CARES Act relief funds.

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.

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. 

Gov. Walz Releases Proposed Workforce Budget; Implications for Long-Term Care

On January 19, 2023 by Erin Huppert

This morning, Governor Tim Walz released a preview of his proposed budget addressing Minnesota's workforce challenges. This preview covers a variety of sectors and includes some investments benefitting aging services.

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.

2023 Legislative Session Begins

On January 5, 2023 by Kayla Khang

Earlier this week, the Minnesota Legislature gaveled in the start of this year's session. LeadingAge Minnesota and our Long-Term Care Imperative partner are prepared to advocate for our members and share our key message throughout the session, which is slated to end in May. With a $17 billion budget surplus, lawmakers must act to ensure access to care for Minnesota's seniors and that caregivers receive the wages they deserve.

With Session Starting Jan. 3, LeadingAge Minnesota Finalizes 2023 Legislative Agenda

On December 22, 2022 by Erin Huppert

The Minnesota Legislature will convene on Jan. 3, 2023. LeadingAge Minnesota has finalized its member-developed, board-approved legislative priorities for the upcoming session. At the top of the list: ensuring providers across the continuum of care have the resources needed to ensure access to care for Minnesota's seniors and pay caregivers the wages they deserve.

CMS Releases Final SNF PPS Rule; Includes Cuts Related to Impact of PDPM

On August 4, 2022 by Jeff Bostic

Late last week, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published the annual final rule that updates the Prospective Payment System (PPS) rates for care centers.

DHS Conducting Survey on Waiver Reimagine

On July 14, 2022 by Jeff Bostic

Earlier this week, the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) released a survey to get input on their Waiver Reimagine effort. Waiver Reimagine is designed to combine the current four disability waivers into two. Under Waiver Reimagine, the current waivers, based on the type of disability, would be replaced with waivers based on the type of service received (living independently vs. residential).

Advocate for Congressional COVID-19 Funding for LTC

On June 2, 2022 by Libbie Chapuran

Although the House and Senate are in recess this week, there's no shortage of work left to be done before Congress adjourns ahead of the midterm elections. What began as the Build Back Better plan is now being reshaped into a much narrower, inflation-fighting measure that would amount to a fraction of the spending in the original bill.

Nursing Homes Action Alert: Write to CMS to Oppose Proposed Payment Cuts

On May 19, 2022 by LeadingAge

We encourage care centers to participate in a letter-writing campaign targeted at payment cuts proposed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

Don’t Miss Your Opportunity to Challenge Provider Relief Fund (PRF) Payments

On May 5, 2022 by Jeff Bostic

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) recently closed Phase Four of the Provider Relief Fund (PRF) payments to health care providers. Now providers are dealing with both reporting requirements and the last opportunity to review what they have received and request reconsideration of the amount or not being paid.

11% of Nursing Homes; 20% of Assisted Living Face Closure According to New Long-Term Care Imperative Survey

On May 5, 2022 by Jeff Bostic

Aging services providers across the state face dire financial conditions that jeopardize access to care for Minnesota's seniors, according to a recent survey conducted by the Long-Term Care Imperative.

CMS Releases Proposed SNF PPS Rule that Calls for Rate Cuts

On April 14, 2022 by Jeff Bostic

Earlier this week, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released its annual proposed rule for updating the Medicare Prospective Payment System (PPS) rates for skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). In addition to the rate update, the proposed rule covers numerous topics impacting SNFs, including proposed staffing standards and updates to quality reporting and value-based purchasing (VBP).

National Academies Release Recommendations for Improving Nursing Home Quality

On April 7, 2022 by Jonathan Lips

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine on April 6 released a highly-anticipated and comprehensive study of the challenges facing nursing homes in the United States.

Free Webinar on Provider Relief Fund Audit Issues

On March 3, 2022 by Jeff Bostic

Next Wednesday, March 9, at 11 a.m, CliftonLarsonAllen is offering a free webinar on Provider Relief Fund (PRF) reporting. The webinar will address the complexity associated with compliance audits of the use of PRF funds and general reporting issues, including allowable uses of the Nursing Home Infection Control Payments.

DHS Issuing Temporary 2022 Care Center Rates and Providing Additional Emergency Aid Opportunity

On January 13, 2022 by Jeff Bostic

Critical Steps Support SNF Operations; Advocacy for Assisted Living Continues

Earlier this week, Gov. Tim Walz announced two new steps his administration will take to offer financial assistance for care centers as the battle against COVID-19 continues.

Second Provider Relief Fund Reporting Period Opens Jan. 6, 2021

On January 6, 2022 by Jeff Bostic

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) recently opened the Provider Relief Fund (PRF) reporting portal for providers to begin entering data to submit their second period PRF reports. Second period reports cover PRF payments from July 1 – Dec. 31, 2020, including Phase 2 and Phase 3 general distributions and nursing home infection control distributions and incentive payments. The deadline to submit the second period report is March 31, 2022.

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.