News

LeadingAge sent all care center members their Five-Star Analysis reports this week. The pandemic has taken a toll on the collection and reporting of quality data, so while the staffing data is relatively new, the data on inspections and quality measures is from many months ago. We will continue to provide these reports regularly and expect CMS to be updating the data more regularly soon.

Last week, CMS released the final CY2021 Home Health Prospective Payment System Rate Update rule. The final rule includes updates of interest to Medicare Certified Home Health Agencies. The rule:

As of the writing of this article, votes are still being counted in several close races in St. Cloud, Rochester, Austin and a few key suburbs, however, it is looking like there will not be a major shift in party control in the Minnesota Legislature. Minnesota entered the 2020 election with the only divided Legislature in the country. DFLers were seeking to gain control over the Minnesota Senate, allowing for single party control of the state Government, something that hasn’t happened since 2013. It needed only to knock off two Republican incumbents and hold its own seats to retake the Senate.

We received a question recently asking if a healthcare worker who experiences a high risk exposure to COVID-19, but who is asymptomatic and has not tested positive for the virus, may return to work prior to the end of his or her 14-day quarantine – if staffing needs are acute. The answer is yes, but only if certain conditions are met.

In new Guidance for Selecting In-building Visitation Area in Long-Term Facilities (11/04/20) released today, MDH provides more details about divider specifications in rooms or visitation areas, as well as specifics on room ventilation and airflow diagrams.

Federal authorities announced today that they will be distributing about $333 million in first-round infection control performance payments to more than 10,000 care centers based on their results battling the spread of COVID-19.

Senior living and other long-term care providers now have until Nov. 6 to sign up for the Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program.

LeadingAge MN has received several questions from members regarding an employee’s refusal to participate in COVID-19 outbreak testing.

The MN Department of Human Services (DHS) returned to fingerprint-based background studies as of 6:00 a.m. this morning (Oct. 21), and employers are no longer able to submit emergency background studies.

The Minnesota Department of Health is proposing new rules governing assisted living facilities (Chapter 4659).

Both nursing homes and housing with services/assisted living settings will be hard at work this week preparing for implementation of new visitation guidance that takes for effect for both of these provider groups this Saturday, Oct. 17.

In a Bulletin issued October 1^st, the Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) invites qualified candidates to apply to serve on the newly formed Resident Quality of Care and Outcomes Task Force.

Today, the LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation (LAMF) is releasing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a rural grant project called Connected Communities for Healthy Aging.

The MN Department of Human Services (DHS) has temporarily delayed the transition back to fingerprint-based background studies.

Since early May care centers have been using the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) to report COVID-19 cases and related data to the CDC.

Fall signals many wonderful traditions and memories such as pumpkin spice, cozy sweaters, crackling fires, spectacular views of changing leaves . . . and influenza vaccines!

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) today released guidance on the use of temporary tent structures and clear dividers for purposes of visitation, which will be helpful for both nursing homes and housing with services/assisted living communities.

The MN Department of Human Services (DHS) has announced that it will return to conducting fingerprint-based background studies beginning at 6 a.m. Wed., Oct. 7, 2020, and entities will no longer

In recognition of the physical and emotional toll that separation from family and other loved ones has taken on residents, CMS has issued

Election season is upon us! Election Day is Tuesday, November 3^rd, but starting this Friday (9/18) absentee ballots will be available for the