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Elections were held to fill several vacant District Officer positions at the recent District Meetings. Each of the seven geographical districts in the state is represented by an elected slate of officers – District Chair, Chair-Elect, Secretary, and District Board Director.

Each month, our national partners at LeadingAge share workforce tools to help aging service providers take action in their workforce efforts. This month highlights the important of instilling a culture of inclusivity and belonging.

In a decision published on Jun. 13, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) returned to the FedEx Home Delivery (FedEx II) standard for determining independent contractor status under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA).

The Department of Human Services (DHS) recently announced the updated property rate thresholds that will apply for projects after Oct. 1. There are two thresholds and two different types of property rate increase projects.

The Department of Human Services (DHS) recently announced that they have opened the selection process for all care centers in the Medical Assistance program to select a new goal to work on for another round of the Quality Improvement Incentive Payment Program (QIIP). Each year, based on their progress toward the goal they select, care centers receive a rate increase of $0 to $3.50 per resident day for QIIP. 

Coming later this summer, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is launching the “Nurse Aide Registry (NAR) Modernization Project,” a project to transition the nurse aide registry to a new digital format. This new and improved NAR portal will allow nurse aides and nursing homes to complete all their updates, reports, and communications electronically within the portal rather than via U.S. mail or email.

LeadingAge Minnesota is pleased to share its 2023 Minnesota Session Legislative Report. This written report summarizes what you need to know about the 75 laws sent to the Governor this year impacting aging services, the seniors you care for, when those laws are effective, and the steps you should take next.

Three people have recently officially joined LeadingAge Minnesota’s team: James Benedict as the Senior Systems Administrator, Annie Xiong as the Office and Accounting Manager, and Nathalie Squire as the Executive Assistant.

On Jun. 8, the Supreme Court ruled in a 7-2 vote that nursing home residents and their families can sue publicly owned nursing home facilities under the Federal Nursing Home Reform Act of 1987 (FNHRA).

Coming later this summer, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) announced that it is expanding in-facility nurse aide testing.

Today marks the start of CNA Week, an annual celebration of the vital work of nursing assistants. Since 1977, the National Association of Health Care Assistants (NAHCA) has observed CNA Week yearly.

Healthcare organizations used N95 or higher-level respirators for all aerosol-generating procedures (AGPs) as a transmission mitigation strategy throughout the public health emergency (PHE).

LeadingAge Minnesota updated the COVID-19 Facility Risk Assessment and Workbook to reflect a change in the metrics published by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH).

Technology solutions can help healthcare providers and support staff provide better care and maintain efficient operations.

The Minnesota Legislature adjourned on May 22. Join us on June 26 for our webinar, Impact on Seniors: Analysis of 2023 Legislative Session Outcomes.

Billing Basics for Care Centers is a two-part virtual conference that helps business office staff learn the fundamentals and skills to accurately bill for services provided and capture appropriate reimbursement. Register your team for this in-depth training designed to help improve your organization’s financial bottom line.

Vista Prairie Communities (VPC), a nonprofit provider of assisted living, independent living, memory care, and care suites in Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Ohio, has named Justin Hughes the Executive Director of Vista Prairie at Copperleaf in Willmar. He assumes his role on June 12.

On June 6, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released QSO-23-17-Hospitals reinforcing hospital requirements for their role in a cooperative discharge plan for post-acute care settings.

Minnesota now recognizes Juneteenth as a state holiday. Employers should review collective bargaining agreements and policies to ensure compliance with the new law.

Billing Basics for Care Centers is a two-part virtual conference that helps business office staff learn the fundamentals and skills to accurately bill for services provided and capture appropriate reimbursement. Register your team now for this in-depth training designed to help improve your organization’s financial bottom line.

Significant changes to the Minimum Data Set (MDS) patient assessment tool released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will be effective Oct. 1. Now is the time for skilled nursing facilities to understand the changes to prepare their staff and settings ahead of the deadline.

Technology solutions can help healthcare providers and support staff provide better care and maintain efficient operations. Join us on July 13 for Workforce Technology Solutions: Combatting the Workforce Crisis While Improving Care, where you will learn from experienced operators about best practices for implementing new technology, workflows, and systems.

Eric Meittunen has joined the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs as Deputy Commissioner - Veterans Healthcare. Eric will lead the Healthcare Division with responsibility for our five current and three new Veterans Homes, Adult Day Center, and Veteran Suicide Prevention initiative.

American Baptist Homes of the Midwest (ABHM), an Eden Prairie, Minnesota, based not-for-profit provider of senior living and health care, is pleased to announce the appointment of Annette Greely as the new President and Chief Executive Officer.

As Mental Health Awareness Month ends, don’t forget the mental health resources and tools you and your teams can revisit throughout the year.

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) recently clarified with LeadingAge Minnesota when families and visitors can share a meal with a resident in the dining room or attend activities. According to MDH, organizations should continue infection prevention and control practices and complete a facility risk assessment to determine visitor attendance in congregate dining settings and activities.

LeadingAge Minnesota has added a COVID-19 facility assessment policy template to the resource library as a companion document to the facility assessment workbook provided last week.

Beginning June 5, onsite surveys and investigations will include an electronic provider feedback form to help provide information for the Minnesota Department of Health’s (MDH) continuous improvement.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will discontinue the nursing home staff vaccination mandate in early August.

LeadingAge Minnesota has a selection of on-demand webinars approved for clock hours. Eight new webinars from the 2023 Institute have been added on various topics. Get the training you need without having to leave your setting.