News

Federal Government Starts Distributing Phase Four Provider Relief Funds (PRF)

On December 16, 2021 by Jeff Bostic

This week the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) began distributing the $17 billion in Provider Relief Fund (PRF) Phase 4 funding to a broad range of health care providers, including care centers, assisted living, and adult day providers who experienced revenue loss and increased expenses associated with the pandemic.

DHS Puts Out Guidance on Care Center Staff Bonuses

On December 16, 2021 by Jeff Bostic

$50 million in American Rescue Plan funding will be sent to care centers soon to provide retention and recruitment bonuses for employees. Although the initial announcement indicated the money would arrive in December, the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) plans to send the funding out on the Jan. 4 remittance advice due to red tape within the agency. Each care center will receive $10.97 times their number of Medicaid resident days on the 2020 cost report.

Forecasted Record-Level State Surplus Represents Opportunity for Investment

On December 9, 2021 by Jeff Bostic

Earlier this week, the Minnesota Department of Management and Budget released an updated state budget forecast projecting a $7.7 billion surplus of revenue over expenses in its general fund. The surplus shows that the state is weathering the pandemic well and allows lawmakers to make permanent investments in professional caregivers.

Elderly Waiver Rates Increasing on Jan. 1

On December 9, 2021 by Jeff Bostic

Thanks to actions taken by the legislature earlier this year and the availability of federal funds targeted to home and community-based services, Elderly Waiver (EW) rates will be increasing this year for the first time in several years. The Long-Term Care Imperative has been advocating for a reform plan for many years that would tie those rates to the actual cost of providing care, which is especially important now as providers face workforce shortages and increasing costs to attract and retain caregivers.

Nursing Home Rate Notices to be Delayed, Complicating Notice to Private Pay Residents

On December 2, 2021 by Jeff Bostic

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) recently informed LeadingAge Minnesota that rate notices for care centers for the 2022 calendar year will be posted much later than the statutorily required date of Nov. 15. Rates will not be available until some time in 2022.

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 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.

Argentum Launches New Campaign to Promote PRF Payments for Assisted Living

On October 28, 2021 by Libbie Chapuran

Argentum officially kicked off its latest awareness campaign directed at policymakers in the Biden Administration and Congress. The theme of this campaign is "Don’t Leave Assisted Living Behind, Again," underscoring the continued disparities in relief and support that has been made available to senior living and the need to rectify it moving forward, including with the Phase 4 PRF payments.

HUD Allows Key Deadline Flexibilities for CSP Requests

On October 14, 2021 by Bobbie Guidry

In response to advocacy by LeadingAge, HUD has allowed key deadline flexibilities for COVID-19 Supplemental Payment (CSP) requests for capital cost reimbursements due to COVID-19. HUD announced the change in a 20-question CSP FAQ document; HUD also released a draft version of the CSP request form.

DHS Implementing new Rate Floor for Disproportionate Share Customized Living Providers

On October 7, 2021 by Jeff Bostic

Earlier this year, the legislature approved a new program to assist Customized Living providers who serve a "disproportionate share" of Elderly Waiver (EW) clients. Any Customized Living provider who serves 80% EW clients as of Oct.1 of this year is eligible for a minimum rate for EW Customized Living clients of $119 per day for the period from July 1, 2022 through Dec. 31, 2022. The program will be ongoing, and the floor will typically apply on an annual basis based on EW percentage on Oct. 1 of each year.

Provider Relief Fund (PRF) Application Portal Open

On September 30, 2021 by Jeff Bostic

Earlier this week, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) opened the application portal for the latest Provider Relief Funds (PRF) round. In this round, $25.5 billion in funding is available for health care providers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

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.

New SNF Medicare Rates Take Effect on Oct. 1

On August 18, 2021 by Jeff Bostic

Based on the annual SNF Payment Rule released earlier this summer, new skilled nursing facility (SNF) Medicare rates for the third year of the Patient-Driven Payment Model (PDPM) take effect on Oct. 1. The Oct. 1 rates include an inflation update of 1.2% based on a formula in existing law. Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has suspended the Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) program for the upcoming rate year.

CMS to Address Nursing Facility Payment During Aug. 5 Open Door Forum

On July 28, 2021 by Jonathan Lips

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will share information on fiscal year 2022 skilled nursing facility payment policies during a Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNF)/Long Term Care Open Door Forum next Thursday, Aug. 5, at 1-2 p.m.

COVID-19 Relief Funds: What Are You Required to Report to DHS?

On July 21, 2021 by Jeff Bostic

The Department of Human Services (DHS) will require care centers to report the use of COVID-19 relief funds by Aug. 2. To help you comply with these new requirements, we are offering a Payment Coaching Room for care centers members.

MDH Implementing Assessment Changes from Special Session

On July 7, 2021 by Jeff Bostic

Legislation approved during the special session that wrapped up last week made a couple of changes to resident assessment practices that care center members know. The first is the implementation of the requirement for a significant change assessment after therapy services end or after the completion of a period of required isolation for an infection. Those changes are effective Aug. 1.

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.

Provider Enrollment is Key Step after Assisted Living Licensure

On June 16, 2021 by Jeff Bostic

With Assisted Living Licensure taking effect on Aug. 1 of this year, those settings that provide customized living services under the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) waiver programs need to take action to ensure continued waiver payment.

Provider Relief Fund (PRF) Reporting Guidance Released

On June 16, 2021 by Jeff Bostic

Late Friday, the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) put out long-awaited guidance with specific timelines for reporting on the use of PRF dollars received by providers. The guidance addresses both how long providers have to use funds and when the use of the funds must be reported. The first reporting period opens on July 1 and must be completed by Sept. 30 and covers funds received before June 30, 2020. Those funds must be used by June 30 of this year, but funds received later have future deadlines for use.

DHS to Begin Issuing Medicaid Termination Letters due to Potential for Government Shutdown

On June 16, 2021 by Jeff Bostic

In the event of a state government shutdown, the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) will cease payments to providers of Medicaid services. Per the statutory obligation, DHS will begin to inform Medicaid providers, including aging services providers who serve Medicaid clients, via letters that will be sent out as early as this week.