June 19, 2019
Featured News
LeadingAge MN Featured on MPR Program on Care and Housing for Seniors
On June 18, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
In case you missed it, MPR last week featured a one-hour program focused on the care and housing needs of Minnesota’s rapidly-growing population. Kari Thurlow, Senior Vice President of Advocacy for LeadingAge Minnesota, was a featured guest on the program that also touched upon the new package of legislative reforms to protect elderly and vulnerable adults.
The discussion also featured Tetyana Shippee, associate professor in the University of Minnesota’s School of Public Health, and Ron Elwood, supervising attorney with Legal Aid.
Topics ranged from an overview of assisted living as it exists today, care and support provided in those settings, the characteristics of the people who live in assisted living, how those services are paid for, and the new reforms that will shape the next generation of assisted living. Questions also covered how our rapidly-growing aging population will find decent housing if they need extra care.
Listen to the program at MPR: Taking Better Care for Minnesota’s Silver Tsunami.
MDH Recommendations for Use of Tuberculin During Nationwide Shortage
On June 18, 2019 by Sue Boyd
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is expecting a three to 10-month nationwide shortage of APLISOL®, which is one of two purified-protein derivative tuberculin antigens that are licensed for use in performing tuberculin skin tests. This shortage will impact assisted living, home care, boarding care, care centers, supervised living facilities, and supplemental nursing services.
Read the full CDC Health Advisory. Even during this shortage, it remains important to detect and treat LTBI.
MDH Recommendations for Prioritizing Tuberculin Use
|
Setting |
Group |
Recommendations |
|---|---|---|
|
All settings |
All groups |
Do NOT administer TSTs to persons with a documented previous history of positive TST, IGRA, or TB disease |
|
Boarding Care / Nursing Homes |
Residents |
At time of admission: Conduct TB symptom screen. Perform TB screening test; use IGRA if available. If IGRA not available, administer one TST. If tuberculin supply is low, defer second step TST until shortage resolves. If not able to obtain any tuberculin, defer both TSTs until shortage resolves. |
|
Health Care Settings |
Employees |
At time of hire: Conduct TB symptom screen and individual TB risk assessment. Perform TB screening test; use IGRA if available. If IGRA not available, administer one TST and defer second step TST until tuberculin resolves. If not able to obtain any tuberculin, defer both TSTs until shortage resolves.
|
|
All Settings |
Contact investigation |
Conduct individual TB symptom screen. Continue to use IGRA (preferred) or TST to evaluate close contacts of persons with infectious (i.e., pulmonary or laryngeal) TB disease. Consult MDH or local health department for guidance in identifying who should be included in contact testing. |
You may also review this content on the MDH website at Nationwide Shortage of Tuberculin Skin Test Antigens.
See this week’s Advantage Article MDH has updated the Regulations for TB Control in Minnesota Health Care Settings for the changes to guidance related to facility assessment and requirements for TB testing.
To receive e-mail alerts and updates related to the MDH TB Program subscribe to What’s New – MD TB Program.
Safe Care for Seniors Workshop – Aug. 5
On June 18, 2019 by Julie Apold
By popular demand, we will hold a Safe Care for Seniors workshop on Monday, Aug. 5 in Saint Paul. Register Today!
The Safe Care for Seniors Workshop provides you with the roadmap, tools and resources to effectively implement the Safe Care for Seniors 5-Step Action Plan in your setting. Members who have participated in the workshops have found them to be incredibly helpful as they get ready to launch this safety and quality improvement program in their organization.
We encourage you to bring members of your team who will be involved in implementing Safe Care for Seniors. Our informative, interactive event will feature expertise in safety, resident and family communication, leadership, Just Culture, best practices and practical application of key learnings. A significant portion of the training will be focused on peer-to-peer learning and small group discussion.
For a detailed agenda, see the Safe Care for Seniors Regional Workshop Brochure.
The workshop runs from 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. and takes place at the University of Minnesota Continuing Education Center in Saint Paul. The cost to participate in $50, which includes lunch, refreshments, handouts and CEUs. The deadline to register is Monday, July 29.
State News
MDH Updates Regulations for TB Control
On June 18, 2019 by Sue Boyd
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has updated the Tuberculosis (TB) regulations page for health care settings with the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance, the updated Facility Tuberculosis Risk Assessment Worksheet for Licensed Health Care Settings, and the notice of the Nationwide Shortage of Tuberculin Skin Test Antigens that includes the department’s recommendations for prioritizing tuberculin use in specific settings.
Effective June 10, 2019:
MDH no longer uses a Minnesota-specific algorithm to determine the settings TB risk level. MDH has updated the Facility Tuberculosis (TB) Risk Assessment Worksheet for Health Care Settings Licensed by the MDH. This worksheet can be used by the following settings: boarding care homes, home care providers, hospices, nursing homes, outpatient surgical centers, and supervised living facilities.
Settings licensed by MDH will no longer be required to do annual TB screenings of health care personnel to remain in regulatory compliance with MDH, regardless of the TB risk classification. This is in accordance with new guidance: Tuberculosis Screening, Testing, and Treatment of U.S. Health Care Personnel: Recommendations from the National Tuberculosis Controllers Association and CDC, 2019.
Much of the new guidance remains unchanged compared with the previous CDC recommendations from 2005, however there are a few important new changes including:
- Discontinue serial (e.g. annual) screening and testing of TB infection after the baseline screening for most health care personnel.
- Consider continuing serial TB screenings for personnel at increased occupational risk of TB exposure. These groups include, but are not limited to:
- Pulmonologists or respiratory therapists.
- Settings in which there is ongoing exposure to Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex, such as TB clinics or laboratories.
- Settings in which screening requirements are outlined by state statute, such as correctional facilities.
- Settings where there was evidence of transmission (either in staff, volunteers, residents, or guests) that occurred in the past, such as emergency departments, homeless shelters, home care agencies, nursing homes, and hospices.
- Post-exposure screening and testing is still required whenever health care personnel have had known exposure to a person with potentially infectious TB disease without the use of adequate personal protection.
- Conduct a new baseline (preplacement) individual TB risk assessment to accompany previously required baseline TB screening test (for those without documented prior TB disease or latent TB infection) and TB symptom assessment.
- The new risk assessment assists in test interpretation.
- A new emphasis on TB exposure risks (both inside and outside of health care facilities), and symptoms of TB as part of previously required annual TB education for all health care personnel.
- Personnel who feel they may have had an occupational or nonoccupational exposure to TB following their baseline screening should be encouraged to discuss possible exposures with their primary care provider or occupational health clinician.
- A new strong recommendation to treat all health care personnel with untreated latent TB infection unless medically contraindicated.
MDH is in the process of updating the Regulations for Tuberculosis Control in Minnesota Health Care Settings to reflect these changes. You can visit the MDH Regulations for TB Control in Minnesota Health Care Settings website page to find the changes and updates.
A few clarifying questions were asked of MDH on the new TB guidance and here are the responses.
How do we determine if a center needs to continue to do the annual/serial testing for all or some employees?
Regardless of what the risk level classification is, we are no longer requiring annual/serial testing. Serial testing is no longer based on the location of the facility and statistical regional data. However, CDC recommends certain provider groups or settings may have (or have had) non-protected exposure to active TB patient(s) should consider annual screening. I would advise settings to look at the facility risk level and make sure that their infection control practices meet the need of their risk level. In looking at possible annual screening of certain employees, consider how many active TB patients have been in the setting (as opposed to looking at employees that do a certain risky occupation but with all negative residents).
How will the above impact the facilities need to do annual facility risk assessment?
Settings should still do the annual risk assessment worksheet (the current one posted with 2018 data). Again, they don’t need to do annual screening, but they still need to be mindful of making sure their current levels of infection control meet their risk level classification. And the worksheet helps them document their TB control plan.
See this week’s Advantage article on MDH Recommendations for the Use of Tuberculin During Nationwide Shortage, which includes recommendations for prioritizing tuberculin use in assisted living, home care, boarding care, nursing home, supervised living facilities and supplemental nursing services.
To receive alerts and updates from the MDH TB Program, subscribe to What’s New – MD TB Program.
New Law: Wage Theft – What to Know and Do
On June 18, 2019 by Kari Thurlow
Wage theft occurs when employers do not pay their workers what is owed them for the work they have performed. The new Minnesota Wage Theft law that goes into effect on July 1 creates additional protections for workers, including adding criminal penalties for employers who commit wage theft.
What to Know:
It is estimated up to 40,000 Minnesota workers pursue complaints of wage theft each year because they have been denied a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work. The new law clearly defines wages as salary, earnings and gratuities. It also provides that all commissions earned must be paid at least once every three months on a regular payday. In addition, the new law:
- Requires notice to workers at the start of employment
- Requires employers to keep and maintain records
- Prohibits retaliation and carries a civil penalty for those who do retaliate in addition to other remedies
- Sets minimum criteria for responsible contractor requirements
- Provides enforcement authority to the DLI Commissioner and penalties for violations, including increased penalties for repeated violations
- Requires DLI Commissioner to share enforcement action
- Defines the crime of wage theft and criminal sanctions for wage theft
For more information, see the Summary of Minnesota's new Wage Theft Law.
What to Do:
The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry has provided guidance for employers on the new Minnesota Wage Theft law. The guidance highlights provisions of the new law that will require employers to review their current policies and practices and take necessary steps to bring those policies and practices into compliance with the requirements of the new law’s provisions.
The guidance covers:
- additional information employers are required to provide employees when they start work
- additional information they will need to provide on earnings statements
- additional records employers are required to maintain.
For more information, see Guidance for employers on Minnesota's new Wage Theft Law.
All provisions of the new law go into effect July 1 except for the provisions that amend Minnesota criminal wage theft and sanctions, which go into effect Aug. 1.
Stay Up to Date:
Sign up for the Minnesota Wage and Hour Bulletin to make sure you stay up to date on the requirements of this new law and other labor standards. Subscribe today.
Grants Available to Launch Cycling Without Age in Care Centers
On June 18, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
Perhaps you heard about the success Bethesda in Willmar had with its Cycling Without Age program, which was recognized by LeadingAge Minnesota with a Stars Among Us award at this year’s Institute. Or maybe you have been following PioneerCare in Fergus Falls as they launch a similar program. Now, thanks to grant funding from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), up to 30 care centers will have the opportunity to start their own program and bring joy to residents, inspire relationships and create community connections.
What is Cycling Without Age
Cycling Without Age is all about helping older people participate, meet people and remain an active part of the local community. The program uses a trishaw, a special bike that allows a volunteer peddler to bring one to two other people for a ride in the front seat of the bike. Volunteers sign up for bike rides with the elderly and are guided to incorporate the program’s principles: generosity, storytelling, without age, slowness, relationships. At present more than 450 chapters around the world offer Cycling Without Age. There are already five chapters getting up and running in Minnesota.
Application Deadline – July 1
MDH recently issued a grant to Cycling Without Age to subsidize about half the cost of purchasing the trishaws. The grant funds will support programs in as many as 30 care centers. Application deadline is July 1. Click here to apply.
Cycling Without Age: Builds Bridges, Creates Connection and Joy
Bethesda in Willmar launched its Cycling Without Age program in cooperation with the City of Willmar. The innovative program has had tremendous success in bringing joy to residents and creating a strong community connection. To read more, see Cycling Without Age Willmar Receives Community Collaboration Award.
Federal News
OAA Reauthorization, Medical Expense Deduction and Housing Credit Advancing in Congress
On June 18, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
Congress is getting down to business and moving funding and policy issues that impact aging services providers.
Last week, the U.S. House considered a package of spending bills that included its fiscal year 2020 (FY20) HHS appropriations bill and will consider its FY20 HUD appropriations bill this week as part of another spending package. In addition to these appropriations measures, three non-appropriations issues are also in motion:
- We support bi-partisan legislation to make permanent the 7.5% threshold for the medical expense deduction and have joined over 50 other consumer and aging services organizations in a letter supporting this bill. Members are encouraged to take action via this action alert on this issue.
- We are pouring over the Senate Health, Education and Labor (HELP) Committee's bipartisan discussion draft to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA). The draft does not address any changes to one of our key priorities -- Title V, the SCSEP Programs.
- We support the Senate and House bills to expand and strengthen the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program. The bills would expand state Housing Credit allocations by 50% and make several improvements, including clarifying some year-15 issues to help nonprofits attain communities after investors absorb their tax benefits and a basis boost for communities serving extremely low-income households.
Click here to read the June 2019 Policy Update.
HUD UPDATE: REAC Physical Inspection, NSPIRE, Carbon Monoxide Detectors and More
On June 18, 2019 by Bobbie Guidry
LeadingAge has provided an overview of recent developments in Housing & Urban Development policies that affect providers of affordable housing. This update features the latest news on the voluntary NSPIRE initiative, HUD instructions on enforcement actions if a property refuses to be inspected, instructions to inspectors to collect information only on carbon monoxide detectors, 14-day scheduling of inspections, and the four reasons HUD Multifamily field offices can delay inspections.
NSPIRE: Inspection Demonstration Becomes Voluntary and Nationwide
The REAC inspection demo that is scheduled to begin during the third quarter of fiscal year 2019 will now be voluntary, and national providers may be able to volunteer to be part of the demonstration. The two-year demonstration, known as the National Standards for the Physical Inspection of Real Estate (NSPIRE), will test new standards for inspecting and collecting information about, the condition of most properties. Bookmark and visit the new landing webpage where further details will be provided as things move forward.
LeadingAge hosted a member call-in in May on this topic and answers to questions asked during the call can be found here. As LeadingAge reviews this new demonstration project information, we are raising concerns with HUD on behalf of members. LeadingAge filed comments on HUD’s emergency information collection notice concerning NSPIRE. According to the data collection notice, HUD will be asking owners participating in the demonstration to submit annual self-inspection reports and other property-specific data and certifications. LeadingAge urged HUD to keep the abilities and resources of smaller properties in mind in considering processes for submitting data and to allow properties to use software they already have for reporting, rather than requiring the installation of any new computer systems.
Once the demonstration implementation notice is issued this month, a portal will be enabled on the REAC NSPIRE webpage. Questions and comments may continue to be shared with LeadingAge, and/or submitted directly to HUD at NSPIRE@HUD.gov.
Inspector Guidance on Scheduling and Notifications
In March, HUD issued new terms and conditions to inspectors about how they are to handle the requisite 14-day notification process and any owner refusal to comply. The new scheduling rules detail:
Scheduling Methodology: REAC Inspectors are instructed to “create a schedule of properties and the dates that the inspectors have assigned the properties prior to notifying any of the owner/agents. One of those dates will be 14 days from the initial notification date and the second date will be a final date within seven days of the first inspection date if the first inspection is unsuccessful.”
Notification Procedure: REAC Inspectors are told that they “must call owner/agent exactly 14 calendar days prior to the inspection to notify the owner/agent of the inspection date and then send an email confirmation as well.” HUD specifically says that “A confirmation by the owner/agent is not required to proceed with the scheduled date.” LeadingAge has queried whether there is wiggle-room, within the initial 14-day notification period, to enable owners to minimally shift the date without exceeding the 14 days, to accommodate special events or other conflicts at the site. The general response suggests this is possible, but wholly subject to inspector willingness and availability. If an initial inspection date within 14 days is not accepted, however, a provisional score of zero WILL be recorded.
Non-Compliance with Scheduling: If, prior to the first inspection date, the owner/agent informs the contractor that they will not allow the inspection to go forward, the contractor will record the rejection and then provide the second inspection date which was recorded in the schedule sent to REAC. If the owner/agent agrees to the date, the contractor should then send a new confirmation. If both inspections are refused or unsuccessful as the result of the owner/agent, the inspector is to report this to HUD, and zero score will be the final score of record.
Exceptions for Extraordinary Circumstances: If the owner/agent refuses the inspection dates because they are undergoing substantial rehabilitation, the REAC Inspector has been instructed to inform the owner/agent that unless they have received an approved waiver/postponement from HUD prior to the scheduled inspection date that the inspection must go forward as scheduled. In such cases as these, retroactive database adjustments should be pursued, as detailed here.
Regional Offices May Provide HUD-Approved Delays
HUD has delegated authority to the 12 field offices to consider and approve an owner/agent’s request to delay an inspection outside of the new 14-day protocol (as detailed in Notice H 2019-04). Requests to extend or reschedule an inspection outside of the notification window, for any circumstances which may significantly impact the execution of an inspection or inspection results (e.g., major renovations, significant rehabilitation, fire, etc.), must be “submitted by the POA and approved by HUD prior to the proposed date of inspection.”
The memorandum “Approving the Delay of a Physical Inspection Beyond the New Real Estate Assessment Center (REAC) Inspection Notification Timelines” is being distributed by regional offices to owner/agents in their area, and indicates that the Asset Management Director may approve a delay in an inspection for the following four circumstances: major rehabilitation (defined as being tied to a major recapitalization transaction with a total cost of rehabilitation at $15,000 or more per unit); Presidential Disaster Declaration, other emergency; or HUD approved repair plan.
The memorandum also explains what an Account Executive or Resolution Specialist should do once a delay is approved/denied.
In cases of repairs or rehabilitation that do not meet these threshold criteria, a Database Adjustment may be submitted prior to the inspection taking place or within 45 days of the release of an inspection report. View this HUD YouTube video on how to submit a Database Adjustment appeal for more information.
Multifamily Enforcement for REAC Zero Scores
Read the May 1, 2019 memorandum that provides guidance on what steps a field office must take when a project receives a score of zero because an owner and/or management agent defaulted on the contractual obligation to allow HUD to perform a physical inspection based on the new 14-day notification period.
Carbon Monoxide Detectors
On April 18, HUD issued a notice H2019-05: Carbon Monoxide Detectors in HUD Assisted Housing to remind owners, managers, and agents of certain HUD-assisted housing to have operational carbon monoxide (CO) detectors, where specified, as required by the state or local law, code, or other regulation, and to strongly encourage owners, managers, and agents of housing covered by the HUD assistance programs above, located in areas where state or local law, code or other regulations do not require CO detectors, to have operational CO detectors (1) in units that have fuel-fired/burning appliance(s) and/or an attached garage, and (2) in bedrooms that contain a fireplace or a fuel-fired or burning appliance. On May 20, HUD announced that $5 million will be made available for the purchase and installation of carbon monoxide (CO) detectors in public housing units where they are necessary. Provided through HUD’s Emergency Safety and Security Program, these funds represent the first time HUD is targeting grants specifically for the purchase and installation of carbon monoxide detectors. It is unclear at this time whether these or other funds will also be made available to the multifamily assisted housing portfolio or not.
Notable News
Workforce Innovators Podcast
On June 18, 2019 by Jenna Kellerman
Have you listened to the latest Workforce Innovators Podcast? The newest episode, featuring Sue Misiorski, Vice President of Workforce Innovations at PHI in New York, focuses on creating career paths for nursing and home health workers.
The podcast, which examines promising practices and innovations to meet workforce challenges, is a production of LeadingAge's Center for Workforce Solutions. It is just one of the many resources available in the Center for Workforce Solutions that also includes workforce data and policy information, national promising practices, and other workforce tools.
Questions? Contact Jenna Kellerman at jkellerman@leadingagemn.org.
Call for Nominations – 2019 CHAIN Award for Excellence
On June 18, 2019 by Sue Boyd
Are you doing great work to reduce the incidence of healthcare-associated infections or combat antibiotic resistance? If so, CHAIN would like to hear about it and recognize your excellent work with its 2019 Award of Excellence. Examples of great work include:
- Involving patients or residents and their families in your work to reduce healthcare-associated infections or enhance antibiotic stewardship
- Launching an antibiotic stewardship program, with early successes to share
- Ramping up your infection control program by enhancing surveillance, improving testing practices, or finding creative ways to promote best practices for prevention
- Establishing a team focused on this work either within your facility or across settings of care
- Developing a new protocol or resource to support staff
The 2019 CHAIN Award for Excellence commends infection prevention and antibiotic stewardship efforts of health care teams working hard to build a safer health care environment in both hospitals and long-term care settings. Award winners will be recognized on Sept. 27 at the APIC Minnesota Conference. A virtual presentation regarding the award winners' essential contributions to patient safety and quality of care will be scheduled at a later date.
Submitting a Nomination
Strong nominations will describe the full project lifecycle and specific strategies tested through the intervention, highlight the ways in which multidisciplinary staff were engaged in the project, and provide both process and outcome measures demonstrating the tangible impact of their improvement work. Visit the CHAIN award webpage for links to nominations from past winners. Access the nomination form here. Submissions will be accepted through Aug. 2.
Contact Kristi Wergin, 952-853-8561or kwergin@stratishealth.org.
Member News
Scott Riddle, Walker Methodist, Receives ESGR Patriot Award
On June 18, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
The Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) presented Scott Riddle, CEO and President of Walker Methodist, with their Patriot Award. The award reflects efforts to support citizen servicepeople through a wide range of measures, including flexible schedules, time off prior to and after deployment, care for families, and leaves of absence as needed.
Riddle was nominated for the award by Captain Kevin Coder, Director of Spiritual Life at Walker Methodist and Chaplain in the Minnesota National Guard. Coder recently was offered employment at Walker Methodist. However, prior to starting, he learned of an upcoming deployment. Coder notified Walker Methodist’s CEO and was overwhelmed by the outpouring of support.
Said Coder, “Upon learning the news that I would be deploying for several months, Scott responded quickly with his desire to honor my employment offer with Walker Methodist. His support has
been stalwart. In fact, he approved additional hiring and temporary department restructuring to accommodate my absence.”
Peter Schuna,Pathway Health, Appointed Co-Chair of Minnesota e-Health Advisory Committee
On June 18, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
Peter B. Schuna, President and Chief Executive Officer of Pathway Health, has been appointed by Minnesota Department of Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm to serve as Co-Chair of the Minnesota e-Health Advisory Committee.
Schuna will serve a two-year term beginning July 1. He will join Dr. Sonja Short, current e-Health Advisory Committee Co-Chair, and work with committee members to set the agenda for how Minnesota will approach the integration of effective health information technology into the future.
“I am honored to help guide the committee to achieve Minnesota’s e-Health vision that all communities and individuals benefit from and are empowered by information and technology that advances health equity and supports health and well-being,” said Peter Schuna.
The Minnesota e-Health Advisory Committee was established in 2004 to advise the State of Minnesota on policy and has convened workgroups to develop and implement a statewide plan for meeting Minnesota’s 2015 Interoperable Electronic Health Record Mandate. For more information, visit the e-Minnesota e-Health Initiative Advisory Committee website.
Last Chance to Take Advantage of Job Board Subsidy!
On June 18, 2019 by Jenna Kellerman
AgingServicesJOBS.Org is a cutting-edge employment marketplace that matches employers with job-seekers based on skills, interests and job requirements. LeadingAge Minnesota launched this new platform one year ago with generous financial support from the LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation.
The Foundation’s time-limited support allowed members to post jobs at a discounted rate for the first year of job board operation, with the goal of getting the new platform off the ground and building a robust job board that job seekers found to be full of opportunity.
As AgingServicesJOBS.Org celebrates its first year on the new platform, the Foundation’s financial support will come to an end as planned. The rate to post a job on the site will adjust to $39 per ad as of June 30. All other job board operations and our commitment to continuous improvement of the site will remain the same.
We offer a sincere thank you to the Foundation Board, as their investment helped us to improve the member experience during the launch of the new platform and encourage members to trial the technology with a lower financial investment.
We look forward to members’ continued posts on AgingServicesJOBS.Org. In the first year, 262 jobs were posted, and we hope the upcoming year continues to serve members with more recruitment opportunities!
Why Post on AgingServicesJOBS.org?
- The platform offers opportunities for members to share job postings to other platforms, such as Indeed, Career Building, Zip Recruiter, Craigslist, and more for special pricing with just one click.
- Broadcast your openings to a wide network of educational institutions, professional organizations, community groups, and so many more.
- Continuous upgrades to make the platform easier to use, faster to post, and more accurate in job seeker matches.
Visit AgingServicesJOBS.Org to learn more. If you have questions, contact Jenna Kellerman, Workforce Solutions Director at LeadingAge Minnesota, or Andree Dolan, Executive Director at the Chicago Opportunity Exchange (TalentEI) for technical assistance.
Education Solutions
Connect Conference is Open for Registration
On June 18, 2019 by Heidi Simpson
The wait is over! The Connect Conference is open for registration. The first annual event, Aug. 20-21 in Brooklyn Center, brings together providers from across the home- and community-based continuum for two days of integrated and interactive learning and forming partnerships to better serve our communities and customers.
The Connect Conference features two dozen interactive education sessions, a deep dive session on the 2019 legislative session, assisted living licensure and older adult protections act. Visit 40 vendor displays to discover resources to make your work easier.
This conference is specifically designed for senior housing, assisted living, home care and adult day providers to make vital connections and to learn about and from each other. It combines three popular conferences (Senior Living NOW, Assisted Living & Home Care Conference and Adult Day Conference) into one. Early bird registration fees are in effect through July 22.
Complete details and registration are found at www.LeadingAgeMN.org/ConnectConference.
PDPM Countdown to Oct. 1 – Is Your Interdisciplinary Team Ready?
On June 18, 2019 by Heidi Simpson
Many organizations have not yet registered their teams for the July workshop to prepare for Patient Driven Payment Model (PDPM) implementation that goes into effect Oct. 1, 2019. A Team Approach to Operationalizing PDPM is a full day workshop that takes place at four different locations in July. It is designed to equip interdisciplinary teams with the knowledge and tools to prepare for the sweeping changes in Medicare Part A payment classification system.
The new system impacts clinical operations including pre-admission screening, IDT documentation and may influence the types of individuals being admitted. PDPM will impact how accurate reimbursement is captured, payment for rehab, changes in clinical and behavioral health documentation, claim check review process, and much more. An interdisciplinary approach to PDPM is critically important and must begin well in advance. Teams will learn through case studies and hands-on activities in this workshop and bring back actionable strategies for successful implementation.
Dates/locations: July 9 – Bemidji; July 11 – Maple Grove; July 24 – Mankato; July 25 – Shoreview
The workshops are presented by Karolee Alexander or Leah Killian Smith of Business Partner firm and Annual Bronze Sponsor Pathway Health. Find details and registration here.
Mark Your Calendar: Additional PDPM webinars
- Common MDS Coding and Scheduling Errors: July 31, 11 a.m. - Noon
- Diagnosis Coding for Common MDS Coding and Scheduling Error - Payment in PDPM: – Aug. 27, 11 a.m. – Noon
Full details and registration for these webinars will be available next week.
Effective Wait List Management – July 10 Webinar
On June 18, 2019 by Heidi Simpson
If your housing wait list has become unruly, ineffective or maybe it’s nonexistent, we have just the webinar for you. Attend Future Resident Program: Effective Housing Waiting List Management, a one-hour webinar on July 10.
Presented by Jacqi Glenn, Sales Manager for Benedictine Health System in Duluth, this webinar will help you better manage your housing waiting list, make simple changes to increase conversion rates and overcome the “I’m not ready yet” objection. Plus, discover how to avoid the three most common mistakes in wait list management.
Click here for details and registration.