Aug. 7, 2019
Featured News
DHS Seeks Public Comments on Third Set of HCBS Setting Evidentiary Packages
On August 6, 2019 by Bobbie Guidry
The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) has posted for public comment the third round of evidentiary packages for Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) settings. This batch includes settings that have been identified as Prong 3 and includes Adult Day, Customized Living and Foster Care providers.
List of Candidates for “Special Focus Facility” Status is Now Public
On August 6, 2019 by Jonathan Lips
At the request of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is now publishing a list of nursing homes in each state that are candidates for “Special Focus Facility” (SFF) status. For many years CMS has published a list of facilities that currently hold SFF designation, and that monthly publication now includes the names of facilities at risk of being designated.
Recognition Challenge: Make Zero Harm Possible
On August 6, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
Recognition is the greatest motivator! We are launching a Recognition Challenge as part of our Safe Care for Seniors program. Between now and Sept. 15, we challenge you to nominate individuals and/or staff teams in your setting for a Make Zero Harm Possible award.
State News
MDH Releases New Bulletin on Assisted Living and Home Care Protections
On August 6, 2019 by Bobbie Guidry
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has issued Information Bulletin 19-03 informing the public about the home care and assisted living protections strengthened by the Minnesota Legislature as part of the Elder Care and Vulnernable Adult Protection Act of 2019.
HCBS Educational Scholarship for 2020 Now Open
On August 6, 2019 by Jenna Kellerman
The Minnesota Department of Health is soliciting grant proposals from providers of adult day care, home care, and housing with services to provide educational scholarships for their employees. Find the HCBS Program detail, application, and forms here.
State to Award Local and Regional Dementia Grants
On August 6, 2019 by Jonathan Lips
The Minnesota Board on Aging has issued a Request for Proposals for local and regional projects that will increase awareness of Alzheimer’s disease, increase the rate of cognitive testing, promote the benefits of early diagnosis, or connect caregivers of persons with dementia to education and resources.
Federal News
Have an Hour Free on Thursday? Join CMS for its Nursing Facility Open Door Forum
On August 6, 2019 by Jonathan Lips
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will share information on fiscal year 2020 skilled nursing facility payment policies during a Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNF)/Long Term Care Open Door Forum this Thursday, Aug. 8, at 1 p.m.
New Guidance on Heightened Scrutiny Review of Newly-Constructed Presumptively Institutional Settings
On August 6, 2019 by Bobbie Guidry
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has provided clarifications to questions about the heightened scrutiny process for newly-constructed presumptively institutional settings. The information can be found in the Informational Bulletin issued last week.
Aug. 27 Call: Understand Your SNF VBP Program Performance Score Report
On August 6, 2019 by Jeff Bostic
Do you understand the Value-Based Purchasing Performance Score Card? Are you interested in results from payment year one? Join the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for a call on Tuesday, Aug. 27 from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. for a high-level summary of the program and a review of the FY2019 program year.
Spending Caps Deal Allows Funding Bills to Move
On August 6, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
The White House and Congress reached a deal to raise the federal budget caps for fiscal years 2020 and 2021.
Don’t Forget: Change from KEPRO to Livanta Requires Action by Medicare Providers
On August 6, 2019 by Jonathan Lips
As we reported earlier this summer, Livanta replaced KEPRO as the Beneficiary and Family Centered Care (BFCC) Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) for Minnesota effective June 8, 2019. The purpose of the BFCC-QIO is to conduct quality of care reviews, beneficiary complaint reviews, and discharge and termination of service appeals in various Medicare provider settings. Livanta requires a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) from providers. To complete a new MOA and read frequently asked questions (FAQs), click here.
Notable News
Checking In on PDPM: Checklists, Milestones and Outcomes
On August 6, 2019 by Jeff Bostic
It’s happening in less than 60 days. The new Patient Driven Payment Model (PDPM) goes into effect on Oct. 1. Are you prepared for this major change in how you document and are reimbursed for care?
How Well Do You Know Your Team?
On August 6, 2019 by Jenna Kellerman
“A person’s name is to him or her the sweetest and most important sound in any language.” -Dale Carnegie. Yet one thing we hear periodically on staff satisfaction surveys is, “my supervisor doesn’t even know my name.”
Member News
Foundation Golf Tournament Raises More Than $60,000
On August 6, 2019 by Jenny Prosser
With workforce pressures reaching unprecedented levels, the 2019 LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation Golf Fundraiser helped raise funds for our next round of caregiver scholarships. The golf event was held on July 30 at Prestwick Golf Club in Woodbury. View foursome photos sponsored by CBS Construction Services.
Now Available: 2019 Unemployment Insurance Toolkit for Nonprofits
On August 6, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
A new toolkit to help management unemployment risk is now available.
Education Solutions
2019 Annual Meeting Important Dates and Updates
On August 6, 2019 by Heidi Simpson
Annual Meeting 2019 will be here soon. Friday, Aug. 16 is the deadline for early bird registration and scholarship applications for our annual leadership conference that takes place Sept. 17-20 at Madden’s.
350 HCBS Professionals to Converge at Connect Conference
On August 6, 2019 by Heidi Simpson
In less than two weeks, more than 350 professionals in home- and community-based service settings will converge on Earle Brown Heritage Center in Brooklyn Center for the first annual Connect Conference for two days of networking, learning and meaningful dialogue about the future of service and care for older adults.
Popular Dementia Care Certificate Program Returns in 2019
On August 6, 2019 by Heidi Simpson
We are pleased to reintroduce our popular Dementia Care Certificate Program, recently updated, streamlined and retooled for 2019. This three-part program is designed for efficient learning and meets the requirements outlined in the Elder Care and Vulnerable Adult Protection Act of 2019.