News

National LeadingAge Minnesota Partners Form Quality in Assisted Living Collaborative

On June 29, 2023 by Libbie Chapuran

Argentum and LeadingAge, national affiliates of LeadingAge Minnesota, are partnering with the National Association for Regulatory Administration (NARA) to create and launch the Quality in Assisted Living Collaborative (QALC).

Attention Care Centers: Select New QIIP Goals Now

On June 22, 2023 by Jeff Bostic

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. 

Several Updates to SNF Quality Reporting Program in Proposed PPS Rule

On April 20, 2023 by Julie Apold

The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released its 2024 Skilled Nursing Facility Prospective Payment System Proposed Rule. It includes several proposed SNF Quality Reporting Program (QRP) changes. 

Register Your ICan Quality Improvement Team by May 1

On April 13, 2023 by Julie Apold

The deadline for registering a team for this year’s ICan Quality Improvement Contest is May 1. The contest involves developing and implementing a Quality Improvement project identified and led by front-line staff.

Without Addressing Staffing Mandate, CMS Updates SNF Rates in Proposed PPS Rule

On April 6, 2023 by Jeff Bostic

Earlier this week, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published the annual proposed rule that updates the Prospective Payment System (PPS) rates for care centers. The rule calls for an update in the rates starting Oct. 1, which averages 3.7%.

Safe Care Addresses CMS Focus on Patient Safety

On March 23, 2023 by Julie Apold

During National Patient Safety Awareness Week, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) highlighted their renewed focus on patient safety because harm is still too common and often preventable in a blog published on its website. Progress in patient safety has significantly declined since the beginning of the pandemic erasing previous patient safety gains.

2023 DHS PIPP Proposal Resources Available

On February 16, 2023 by Julie Apold

The 2023 Minnesota Department of Human Services Nursing Facility Performance-Based Incentive Payment Program (PIPP) Request for Proposals (RFP) information is now available.

Emergency Preparedness Planning Series for Nursing Homes

On January 26, 2023 by Julie Apold

Superior Health Quality Alliance is offering a free nine-part emergency preparedness series on Thursdays from noon to 1 p.m.

Assisted Living Quality Measures Coming to the Data Portal in January

On December 22, 2022 by Julie Apold

LeadingAge Minnesota's exciting new Data Portal continues to expand to provide opportunities for tracking and benchmarking your performance on key metrics. In January, we will launch the assisted living quality and services measures portal application.

CMS’ Nursing Home Stakeholder Call, Jan. 5

On December 22, 2022 by Mark Schulz

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will host the first Nursing Home Stakeholder Call of the new year on Thursday, Jan. 5 at 2 p.m. CST. The discussion will focus on post-acute care quality reporting programs. The event is open to the public; registration is required. After you register, you will receive zoom information.

Initial Recommendations Released from National Nursing Home Quality Coalition

On December 8, 2022 by Julie Apold

The Moving Forward Nursing Home Quality Coalition has issued its first recommendations to address the key recommendations outlined in the April 2022 National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) report – The National Imperative to Improve Nursing Home Quality: Honoring Our Commitment to Residents, Families, and Staff. 

Temporary Nurse Aide Program Extension, Next Steps

On October 13, 2022 by Anna Mowry

Minnesota's nurse aides hired or who worked during the 1135 waiver now have until April 5, 2023, or the end of the public health emergency (PHE), whichever is sooner, to be placed on the Minnesota Nursing Assistant Registry.

Check your MNITS Mailbox if you are a HCBS Provider: Revalidation in Process

On September 29, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry

The revalidation process has begun for providers enrolled with DHS as a Home and Community Based Service (HCBS) provider which includes waiver services for Adult Day Services, Assisted Living (Customized Living), as well as Home Health Agencies.

Resident and Family Satisfaction Surveys to Inform Assisted Living Report Card

On September 28, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry

In partnership with Vital Research, the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Minnesota Board on Aging are preparing for data collection for the Assisted Living Report Card. Assisted living directors will be informed by letter of the plans for this year's statewide assisted living resident quality of life and family satisfaction surveys in early October.

New Five-Star Reports Available with Staffing Domain Changes

On September 15, 2022 by Julie Apold

New Five-Star Reports that reflect recent changes to the Five-Star Staffing Domain are ready to view in the LeadingAge Minnesota Data Portal. Primary contacts have access to the portal to view these reports. 

Preventing Ingestion-related Adverse Events

On September 15, 2022 by Julie Apold

LeadingAge Minnesota has recently updated a Property/Grounds Hazard Vulnerability Assessment Tool (Ingestion-related events) as a guide to conduct regular safety checks to ensure that your property and grounds are maintained in a safe and sanitary manner.

Updated SNF QRP User’s Manual Now Available

On September 15, 2022 by Julie Apold

The Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Quality Reporting Program (QRP) Quality Measures Calculations and Reporting User’s Manual Version 4.0 is now available. Changes go into effect on Oct. 1.

New SNF QRP Measure Begins Oct. 1

On August 25, 2022 by Julie Apold

Care centers must track and report flu vaccination information to the CDC this fall.

The reporting period for the new Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Quality Reporting Program (QRP) measure "Influenza Vaccination Coverage among Healthcare Personnel" (HCP) begins Oct. 1.

CMS Releases Final SNF PPS Rule; Includes Cuts Related to Impact of PDPM

On August 4, 2022 by Jeff Bostic

Late last week, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published the annual final rule that updates the Prospective Payment System (PPS) rates for care centers.

Weekend Staffing and Staff Turnover Data Added to Five-Star Quality Ratings

On July 14, 2022 by Julie Apold

The July 2022 Care Compare refresh includes the addition of nursing home staff turnover rates and weekend nurse staffing levels to the Five-Star Quality Ratings. The refresh also consists of a change to how staffing scores can impact a nursing home's Overall Five-Star Quality Rating.