News

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) last week announced seven nursing homes have been approved for moratorium exceptions construction projects in the latest round of available funding. Ten of the eleven submissions, and six of the seven selected, were LeadingAge Minnesota members so we are excited to see their interest in improving the environment for the people they serve.  

In a move to support services and staffing in response to COVID-19, the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) issued guidance to lead agencies regarding EW customized living rate protocols. 

All providers are encouraged to attend the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) weekly COVID-19 webinar for Long-Term Care. MDH epidemiologists and clinicians will provide up-to-date information and guidance, answer questions, and address concerns. 

As you are aware, all Ombudsmen staff currently provide a virtual presence to do their part during this time of crisis. Proactive outreach to residents is accepted and supported at the Ombudsmen federal level and programs across the country are pursuing this to fulfill our mandate that residents have regular and timely access to the services provided through the Ombudsman program. This includes support to Resident/Family Councils.

Applications for the Dual Training Grant Program are being accepted through May 8. Approximately $2.7 million is available to support the related instruction component of dual-training programs in your organization. 

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) has extended the deadline to apply for a Live Well at Home Grant to Friday May 15. 

In their newly launched COVID-19 Housing webpage, the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) is providing additional information about the 15% add on to Housing Support (GRH).   

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) has confirmed that preadmission screening (PAS) is still required in Minnesota.  

The Minnesota Senate COVID-19 Response Working Group met yesterday, focusing their work on the impact on the long-term care community. LeadingAge Minnesota member Deb Barnes, Executive Director at Lakeview Methodist Health Care, began the hearing with testimony about the impact of COVID-19 in long-term care settings.  

As we shared with you last week, the Minnesota Department of Health began publishing the names of congregate care settings that have at least one resident, staff or contractor who is positive COVID-19. MDH will continue to update this list on an ongoing basis. Here are a few important items to know:   

The Minnesota Department of Health has released new guidance to help congregate settings accommodate requests to install a camera during visitor restrictions due to COVID-19 and the Stay at Home Executive Order.  

Governor Tim has signed into law an additional $330 million package of initiatives to combat the health and economic challenges due to the COVID-19 crisis. The bill includes, amongst other provisions: 

Due to COVID-19, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has cancelled the Assisted Living Licensure Rules Advisory Committee meeting scheduled for March 26.  

While the license renewal cycle for nursing home administrators historically activates in May, the Minnesota Board of Examiners for Nursing Home Administrators (BENHA) recognizes that these are unprecedented times. In a news release distributed this week, BENHA provided the following counsel regarding continuing education or clock hours to renew your license:  

In response to COVID-19, Governor Tim Walz has released a series of Executive Orders. We have provided summaries of these via our daily update emails. Below you will find links to the Executive Orders that affect you and your staff: 

At an Assisted Living Licensure Rulemaking Advisory Task Force meeting last week, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) reported that it is hoping to have a complete draft rule prepared and posted to its website and sent to the Revisor by mid-April.  

The development of an Assisted Living Resident and Family Survey and Assisted Living Report Card are well underway, reported Peter Spuit, Home & Community Based Services Program Consultant for the Aging and Adult Services Division at the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS), at last week’s LeadingAge Minnesota Assisted Living Committee meeting.  

More than 100 nursing homes across Minnesota, including several LeadingAge Minnesota members, have begun kicking off 36 projects to promote better care and quality of life for their residents. The Performance-based Incentive Payment Program (PIPP) projects, funded by the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS), range from efforts to improve mental health and social connections to reducing falls and infections.  

Minnesota’s latest budget forecast shows a slight increase in the projected budget surplus - $1.513 billion, up $181 million since November. What does this mean for this legislative session and aging services providers?  

The House Health and Human Services Policy Committee last week heard a bill to expand the Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) employee scholarship program to allow loan forgiveness and expenses related to obtaining a licensed assisted living director credential.