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1 Page 1 of 11 Posted: Top Stories DHS Request for Comments on Reform 2020 Section 1115 Medicaid Waiver Today, the Minnesota Department of Human Services announced a 30-day comment period on the Reform 2020 Section 1115 Medicaid waiver Request. The 2011 Minnesota Legislature directed the Department of Human Services (DHS) to develop a proposal to reform the Medical Assistance Program. Goals of the reform include: community integration and independence; improved health; reduced reliance on institutional care; maintained or obtained employment and housing; and long-term sustainability of needed services through better alignment of available services that most effectively meet people's needs. The legislature designated twelve separate initiatives to be examined. Several of these initiatives will require a federal waiver. DHS has developed the section 1115 Medicaid waiver request entitled Reform 2020 in order to implement several key components of the overall Medicaid reform initiative. A copy of the waiver request can be found at Written comments may be submitted to the following mailbox:reform2020comments@state.mn.us. As of the writing of this article, Aging Services staff is attending a meeting of the HCBS Partners Panel to gather more information about what is included in the proposed waiver. We will provide members a more detailed summary in the coming days. However, because the comment window is relatively short, we wanted to provide members with the information we have today. Please contact Mary Youle at myoule@agingservicesmn.org with any additional questions or feedback you might have. In addition to the opportunity to submit written comments during the 30 day public comment period, public hearings will be held. We encourage members to attend these public hearings either in person or by telephone. If you plan to testify by telephone or in person, please send an to Reform2020Comments@state.mn.us. Public Hearing #1 Date: Friday, June 22, 2012 Time: 2:00-5:00 pm Location: MDH, Snelling Office Park, Mississippi Room, 1645 Energy Park Drive, St. Paul, MN Public Hearing #2 Date: Monday, June 25, 2012 Time: 9:00am - Noon Location: DHS, Elmer L. Andersen Human Services Building, Room 2370/80, 540 Cedar St., St. Paul, MN CAST Releases Two New EHR Resources for Members The LeadingAge Center for Aging Services Technologies (CAST) is pleased to announce the official release of the CAST EHR portfolio, which contains 2 important tools designed to help long-term and post-acute care

2 Page 2 of 11 (LTPAC) organizations plan, assess and select electronic health records (EHR): The EHR Online Selection Tool allows users to select the requirements they need from a set of nine major categories of functionalities to see which products meet those requirements. The tool features a counter to help see how the selected requirements affect the number of products that meet the requirements and includes links to the products' websites. The selection matrix examines over 150 major EHR functionalities in 22 LTPAC EHR products. EHR fo LTPAC: A Primer on Planning and Vendor Selection is an accompanying white paper that outlines detailed steps around planning, assessing and selecting an EHR system and defines the major components that EHR products offer. The purpose of the white paper is to aid LeadingAge members, CAST members and other aging services organizations in choosing an Electronic Health Record (EHR) system that fits the needs of their organization and the consumers/patients/clients they serve. The foundation of the whitepaper is the Health Information Technology (HIT) Toolkits for Nursing Homes and Home Health Agencies that Aging Services of Minnesota contracted with Stratis Health to develop. To access the full toolkits click below: Nursing Home HIT Toolkit: Home Health HIT Toolkit: The purpose of the toolkits is to help organizations assess readiness, plan, select, implement, make effective use of EHRs, and exchange important information about the people they serve. The CAST whitepaper builds upon these two excellent toolkits by summarizing the important steps a provider should take while referencing the specific tools from the Stratis Health Toolkits. The paper then hones in on the next step of examining the fit of EHR products to the organization, its processes, needs and requirements - based on the functionalities these products offer. The paper examines functionalities needed or desired in different lines of aging services within long-term and post-acute care (LTPAC) including home health/home care, hospice, adult day care, assisted living facilities, acute rehab facilities, long-term acute care hospitals, long-term care rehab facilities, skilled nursing facilities, intermediate care facilities, mental retardation/developmental disabilities (MR/DD) facili-ties and continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) as well as the actual vendors offering EHR systems. CAST asked vendors to provide information about implemented interoperability standards, integration, health information exchange capabilities as well as certification status and/or plans. They engaged experts from both provider members, as well as EHR vendor communities. The release of these resources was covered in an article included in the most recent edition of Long-Term Living Magazine. To access the article "EHRs: New online database can help LTPAC facilities choose priorities, features among EHR vendors" click here: In the future, CAST will be releasing case studies highlighting providers' experiences in workflow redesign, selection and implementation of EHRs, as well as the impacts of EHR implementation. Contact Lori Meyer at lmeyer@agingservicesmn.org First-of-its-Kind Partnership Will Serve Older Adults in North Minneapolis Nearly three months after officially opening its doors, the Heritage Park Senior Campus in North Minneapolis held a week of open houses to celebrate this unique achievement.

3 Page 3 of 11 When you walk into the open, sun-filled atrium at Heritage Park Senior Services Center, you know it's a special place. Immediately to your left is the state's only YMCA dedicated exclusively to serving members age 50 and older. To your right is a grand staircase that takes you up to the clinic. Straight ahead through the atrium you'll find the adult day program, and down the hall to your left is the walkway to Thomas T. Feeney Manor, an assisted living community. All this in one space - one community. Congratulations to Aging Services members Augustana Care, Augustana Open Circle and Courage Center for your critical roles in making this new community a reality. And thank you to the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority, Neighborhood HealthSource, the YMCA, and the Minneapolis Highrise Representative Council for your roles as partners in this effort. "When I visit this community, I feel an overwhelming sense of pride in our members and the partners who made this possible," said Gayle Kvenvold, president and CEO of Aging Services of Minnesota. "This is a real, tangible example of what can be accomplished through creativity and vision, despite all of the challenges we face in the complex world of older adult services." Click here for a full news release with details about the role each key partner will play to serve older adults at Heritage Park Campus. A National Model Partners will continue to work closely not only to ensure the ongoing success of this unique community, but also to gather valuable data and insights into the benefits and challenges of this model. Already there is national interest in learning more about how this can be replicated in other communities across the country, and a growing interest in identifying the policy and financing changes that may make these kinds of partnership more common. State News DHS Releases Bulletin with Property Project Limits Recently, DHS published bulletin # which includes the limits for property projects completed after October 1, The bulletin can be downloaded at The property limits bulletin is published annually by DHS, and the purpose of the bulletin is to provide the updated property project limits after annual adjustments for inflation. One set of limits is the project thresholds. For the first time in three years, the construction inflation factor was positive so those will be increased. However, they will not increase very much, because the inflation index is only 1.27%. The new minimum project threshold is $278,616 and the maximum threshold is $1,425,501. The minimum threshold is the amount facilities have to spend on a project in order to submit it for a property rate increase, and the maximum threshold is the highest project cost that will be recognized without applying for a moratorium exception project. This year, for the first time in four years, the Legislature did fund moratorium exceptions, and $1.4 million will be available through an RFP to be released by the Department of Health later this year. Between the thresholds projects, meaning those that exceed the minimum and are less than the maximum, are an excellent option for care centers to invest in improvements to their physical environment. A between the thresholds project does not require any prior approval by the state; a property rate increase is provided after the project is completed and its costs are submitted to the state. These projects have been reimbursable for all facilities since 2006, and despite the financial challenges faced by the state this opportunity for physical plant improvement has not been eliminated or suspended by the Legislature. The other important limits published in the bulletin are the per bed replacement costs. These limits are

4 Page 4 of 11 increased by the same inflation factor of 1.27%. The new limits will be $103,939 for beds in multiple bed rooms, $129,926 for beds in split double rooms (rooms that share an entryway to the hallway but are otherwise separate), and $155,909 for beds in single bed rooms. These limits are very important to care centers looking at new construction under the moratorium exceptions process, so members looking at developing proposals should review carefully the impact of these per bed limits which can reduce the amount of a project that will be recognized in a rate increase. Contact Jeff Bostic at jbostic@agingservicesmn.org MDH Posts New TB Risk Assessment Worksheet for Healthcare Settings MDH has posted a new TB Risk Assessment Worksheet for Healthcare Settings Licensed by the Minnesota Department of Health, found at The facility TB risk assessment is a structured evaluation of a healthcare setting's risk for transmission of TB. The infection control team determines the setting's TB risk classification based on the results of the facility TB risk assessment. All healthcare settings in Minnesota must perform an initial facility TB risk assessment and update it on a periodic basis. The worksheet includes instructions for completing a risk assessment for boarding care homes, home care providers, hospice providers, nursing homes, outpatient surgical centers and supervised living facilities. The web page listed above includes additional information, including the fact that there are three methods that can be used to conduct the TB risk assessment: The method in the new worksheet (dated 6/12) The TB risk assessment worksheet in CDC's "Guidelines for Preventing the Transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Health-Care Settings, 2005." Your own assessment tool that you would create using the criteria on pages 9-12 of CDC's 2005 guidelines. MDH's website has many helpful documents related to TB. The TB home page is found at Contact Mary Youle at myoule@agingservicesmn.org Minnesota Board of Nursing Seeks Feedback on Proposed Changes to Nurse Practice Act The Nursing Practice Committee of the Board of Nursing has developed proposed statutory definitions of professional and practical nursing and now seeks feedback on the proposed changes. Background The Minnesota Nurse Practice Act is the law that includes definitions of professional and practical nursing. These definitions provide the legal scope of practice for RNs and LPNs in Minnesota. The current definitions have not been significantly revised in the past 40 years, despite the fact that nursing practice has changed significantly. The current terms in the definitions lack clarity and common understanding and have been perceived to be a barrier to the evolution of nursing practice. In 2011, the Board of Nursing directed the Nursing Practice Committee to review the Nurse Practice Act and make recommendations for legislative changes. Click here to review the proposed changes to the Nurse Practice

5 Page 5 of 11 Act. It is expected that the Board of Nursing would introduce legislation in 2013 to implement these proposed changes. Opportunities for Feedback The Board of Nursing is interested in wider involvement and values input from Minnesota nurses and other stakeholders. The Committee will be conducting Listening Sessions throughout the state and soliciting written comments. Aging Services encourages your participation in this process. Last week, Aging Services staff attended a listening session on the proposed changes and spoke in support of the proposed changes. The following is a list of the remaining listening sessions in June and July: June 21 Pine Technical College, Pine City June 28, Sanford Worthington Medical Center, Worthington July 12, Lake Superior College, Duluth July 18, Central Lakes College, Brainerd July 19, Broen Home, Fergus Falls July 26, Rochester Community & Technical College, Rochester July 31, Hennepin Technical College, Eden Prairie 12:00-2:00 p.m. or 4:00-6:00 p.m. You may also provide input in writing. Comments can be sent by to nursing.education@state.mn.us. Contact Kari Thurlow at kthurlow@agingservicesmn.org ECPN Applications for 2012 Due by June 30 Care centers that are owned by cities, counties or hospital districts are eligible to participate in the Equitable Cost-Sharing for Nursing Facilities (ECPN) program, which began last October 1. ECPN allows publicly-owned care centers to receive rate increases based on local contributions to the cost of providing care. To participate in the rate year beginning October 1, 2012 eligible care centers, including those participating in the current rate year, must apply by June 30. Marilyn Kaufenberg at DHS indicates that she sent application materials to all eligible care centers in May. Eligible care centers need to return their application materials to DHS by the June 30 deadline. Those who are interested in applying but cannot locate the application should contact Marilyn Kaufenberg at Marilyn.Kaufenberg@state.mn.us or (651) For those facilities who participate in ECPN for 2012, the rate increase will be effective October 1, with the first payment from the owner due September. Although the rebasing rates for October 1 are not yet available, those care centers selecting the full cost-based rate can charge private pay residents that rate for October as long as residents are notified of the increase prior to October 1.

6 Page 6 of 11 Contact Jeff Bostic at jbostic@agingservicesmn.org Federal News Klobuchar Introduces Legislation to Help Seniors Fund Long-Term Care Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) has introduced three bills that aim to help seniors fund long term care. According to the Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA), two of the bills seek to improve long-term care insurance policies and one creates an income tax credit for eldercare expenses. The three bills are still in committee, but Senator Klobuchar intends these bills to help Americans plan for longterm care. "Seniors deserve high-quality long-term care that works for them and their families," said Klobuchar. "These bills will help ensure that long-term care programs are easy to navigate and make it easier for families to care for their loved ones." Here are some details on the three bills: S. 3226, Americans Giving Care to Elders (AGE) Act, would establish a federal tax credit for elder care expenses generated by a family caregiver. The bill would help family members receive a tax credit of up to $1,200 a year. The bill would also increase funding for the National Family Caregiver Support Program, which is included in the Older Americans Act. S. 3229, The Long-Term Care Insurance Consumer Right-to-Know Act, aims to help consumers understand their long term care insurance policies. The bill would require a short disclosure form to be used when marketing long-term care insurance policies. The form would be developed by a working group of long-term care providers, consumer advocates, and insurance providers. S.3230, Long Term Care Insurance Integrity Act of 2012, would develop a third-party review process for processing disputed long term care insurance claims. The bill is designed to resolve disputes expeditiously but would also allow enrollees to appeal the decision of the independent reviewer to the appropriate State court. Contact Mary Youle at myoule@agingservicesmn.org Sen. Franken Introduces Legislation to Bring Meals to Homebound People Senator Al Franken introduced a bill, Enhancing Nutrition Service to Elderly and Individuals with Disabilities Act, which would allow homebound seniors and individuals with disabilities to use SNAP benefits - formerly called food stamps - to purchase groceries from non-profit organizations that deliver groceries to people in their homes. Currently, SNAP benefits can't be used to purchase groceries from non-profit agencies because they aren't retail stores. This bill would change that. Click here to read details on this legislation. Senator Franken says, "I've talked to seniors and people with disabilities all over Minnesota, and I've heard over and over that their top priority is staying independent and in their homes," said Sen. Franken. "Unfortunately, many Minnesotans are unable to get the groceries they need without the help of a neighbor, family member, or delivery organization. My legislation would make it easier for people all over the state to get the nutrition they need without leaving their homes, helping them stay more independent." In addition to this bill, Senator Franken has also introduced a Home Care Consumer Bill of Rights to protect seniors who receive care in their homes. Click here for more information on this legislation. Franken also has introduced The Improving Care for Vulnerable Older Citizens Through Workforce

7 Page 7 of 11 Advancement Act of 2011, along with Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA), which would amend the Older Americans Act to establish six three-year programs to study care coordination and improved delivery of health services for older adults suffering from chronic illness or at risk of re-hospitalization. Click here for more information about this bill. Contact Mary Youle at myoule@agingservicesmn.org News Briefs Aging Services Members Among Star Tribune 2012 Top Workplaces Congratulations to the Aging Services members who were recognized as Top Workplaces by the Star Tribune. For the second year in a row, the Star Tribune surveyed more than 70,000 employees about key factors that contribute to individual satisfaction and a strong work culture. We are proud to see so many members listed among this year's Top Workplaces, including Ecumen, Volunteers of America-Minnesota, Ebenezer, Presbyterian Homes & Services SummerWood of Plymouth, StuartCo and LifeSprk! (formerly AgeWell). Click here to view a full list and additional information about the Star Tribune's 2012 Top Workplaces. Reminder! GRH Rate to Increase on July 1 to $867 As we reported in April, the Group Residential Housing rate will increase to $867 on July 1, The personal needs allowance is $92 and the food allowance is unchanged and will remain at $200/month. The change in the GRH rate is due to the increase in the Supplemental Security Income rate, according to Department of Human Services staff. Contact Mary Youle at myoule@agingservicesmn.org USDA Offers Funding for Health Information Technology for Rural Providers The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is now offering funding for rural health care providers and organizations to support the purchase of equipment and infrastructure necessary to adopt certified Electronic Health Records technology. Loan guarantees, low-interest direct loans, and some grant funding are available. Rural Development funding is designed for projects located in a rural community of 20,000 people or fewer. The community facilities program of USDA Rural Development finances the construction, renovation or expansion of hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, assisted living centers, mental health facilities, and healthcare equipment. Rural Development funds also may be used to purchase Health Information Technology for eligible health care providers for adopting Electronic Health Records technology to meet the meaningful use provision. For more information about funding possibilities, contact the USDA Rural Development specialist in your area, found at Association News Salary Survey Deadline Extended The 2012 salary survey deadline has been extended to July 16. Members who return the forms by that date will receive a free report in August. The annual salary survey is a joint project of Aging Services of Minnesota, Care Providers of Minnesota, and the Healthcare Human Resources Association of Minnesota, which results in two comprehensive reports on employee compensation in care centers and senior housing settings.

8 Page 8 of 11 Members can download a copy of the survey forms and instructions on from the "surveys and data" page. Survey forms can be downloaded as Word files and then filled out and returned by to Jeff Bostic. Contact Jeff Bostic at jbostic@agingservicesmn.org Aging Services of Minnesota Education and Resources Registration Now Open for Three Outstanding Summer Programs Mark your calendars and register now for three outstanding summer educational programs and conferences. The Midsummer Senior Living Conference is Wed., July 25, and includes separate learning tracks for independent senior housing and housing-with-services/assisted living providers, plus programs for both. New this year - we've partnered with the Minnesota Multi Housing Association to develop the independent living educational track. Up to 4 Real Estate CEU credits are available with paid registration! The Midsummer Senior Living Conference is the most popular gathering for senior housing providers from across the state, with practical information, trends of the industry, and great networking with peers. This year's conference features keynote presentation "Emerging Senior Housing Models and the Customers Who Want to Live There" by Stephen Maag, J.D., Director, Residential Communities for LeadingAge, Washington D.C. Find complete conference details and register online at (click on Events) July 24 Half Day Pre-Conference Intensive Focuses on the Financial Health of Your HWS Organization Take advantage of your trip to St. Paul and register to attend the half-day intensive on Tuesday, July 24, the day before the Midsummer Conference. Improving the Financial Health of Your HWS Organization is specifically designed to help managers, directors and key staff from HWS/AL programs improve the financial health of their organization. Learn operational best practices for your business office, EW and GRH, and improving outcomes for accounts receivables. Separate registration and fee apply to this half-day program. Find complete program details and register online at (click on Events) Save the Date for Aging Services' BILLING UNIVERSITY Aug Plan ahead now to attend Aging Services' Billing University Aug , a two day intensive training specifically designed for care center business office staff. This program is perfect for staff who are either new to the field, or your experienced staff who want to update knowledge in the ever-changing financial environment of our business. Full details and registration will be available soon - mark your calendar now and plan to attend this program brought to you by Aging Services of Minnesota. Watch for details on or contact Heidi Simpson at hsimpson@agingservicesmn.org for more information. Member News Good Age Minnesota: Profile of Aging Services District G Volunteer of the Year Good Age Minnesota: Profile of Aging Services District G Volunteer of the Year The following article was published recently in Good Age, honoring the contributions and accomplishments of Patricia Robertson. Robertson was honored in February at the Aging Services of Minnesota Institute as the 2012 District G Volunteer of the Year. Pasted below is the full article, which can also be viewed online. Patricia Robertson of south Minneapolis has been named the Aging Services of Minnesota 2012 Metro

9 Page 9 of 11 Area Volunteer of the Year for her years of service to the residents at Walker Methodist in Minneapolis. This special award is the highest honor recognizing the dedication and service of volunteers who support Minnesota seniors. Aging Services of Minnesota is the largest association of organizations serving older adults in Minnesota. Robertson had a long and successful career in nursing and hospital administration before continuing in her chosen profession as a volunteer. She has been making a difference in the lives of Walker residents since 1990, volunteering her talent, time, and financial resources in ways that have met the mission of Walker Methodist in a profound way. As a nurse and vice president of patient care services at Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park, Robertson discovered that patients feel greater value in their lives when they can focus beyond their immediate health issues and that the staff have deeper relationships with patients when they know the whole person, not just their health concerns. "Pat helped two of our residents put their life stories on paper," said Walker president and CEO Lynn Starkovich, who nominated Robertson for the award. "It was an amazing gift and benefit to the individuals and their families." Robertson says it was particularly rewarding because when staff learned more about each person, they could see beyond the residents' frailties to appreciate their full lives. This year, Robertson worked to add a labyrinth to the Walker Chapel and provided the lead donation. She also befriended a resident with no family and few friends and even made a donation for a new chapel sound system in the resident's honor, memorializing a woman who may have otherwise been forgotten. "Pat Robertson is an inspiring example of what a volunteer can accomplish," said Gayle Kvenvold, president and CEO of Aging Services of Minnesota. "Her dedication has made a difference in the lives of so many." Currently, she also serves as an Emeritus board member and on the Clinical Pastoral Education Committee where she dedicates time to students who care for seniors. Other Education and Resources Volunteer Group Prepares for 2012 Conference, Announces Keynote Speaker Registration materials are now available for the Health Care Auxiliary of Minnesota (HCAM) annual meeting September at Breezy Point Resort. This year's theme is Route 66 - Road to Success and celebrates the 66th Anniversary of HCAM. Aging Services of Minnesota staff and member volunteer groups will be in attendance as this annual gathering of volunteer program directors, coordinators and hundreds of volunteers kicks off their largest three-day education and networking event of the year. Nationally known speaker Colleen Sweeney will present on understanding the crucial role the volunteer plays in the experience of the people we serve. She will share a tool to help healthcare leaders identify the greatest fears and concerns of their customers and how to move from the delivery of ordinary to extraordinary care. Participants can also choose from nearly 20 available workshops, such as Volunteer Teams That Thrive, Motivate Volunteers to Succeed in High Responsibility Roles, and Working with Media. Attendees can also participate in the Auxiliary Fair, back by popular demand. The registration brochure is available online: For lodging and other information about HCAM, visit: and conference questions can be directed to Deb Anderson at

10 Page 10 of 11 Contact Adam Suomala at Education and Event Calendar EDUCATION AND EVENT CALENDAR Partners in Dementia Care: Supporting Caregivers and Partners (or Others) (Module #6) - Webinar June Nursing Leadership Symposium June 26-28; July 24-26; August Essential Laws Every Senior Housing Manager Must Know â Part 1 - Webinar June 29 The Role of the Environment in Promoting Quality Dementia Care (Module #7) - Webinar July Home Care Nurse Managers Certificate Program July 11 & 12, August 1 & 2, September 26 & 27 Improving the Financial Health of Your HWS Organization July 24 (half-day intensive prior to 2012 Midsummer Senior Living Conference) Midsummer Senior Living Conference July 25 The Legal Aspects of Decision-Making for Persons with Dementia (Module #8) - Webinar July 26 End of Life Care (Module #9) - Webinar August 1 Aging Services' Billing University August Dementia Basics and Practical Approaches to Disease Symptoms - Part I (Module #10) Workshop August 14 or 21 Dementia Basics and Practical Approaches to Disease Symptoms - Part II (Module #11) Workshop August 15 or 22 The Art of Engagement: Practical Approaches to Activities for all Stages of Dementia Workshop September 6 or 12

11 Page 11 of Dementia Care Certificate Full Program Annual Meeting and Leadership Forum Sept , 2012 Assisted Living Home Care Conference October 24 (co-sponsored with the Minnesota HomeCare Association) For further information about Aging Services educational programs: Registration questions: Contact Kellie Thoen at Aging Services of Minnesota 2550 University Avenue West, Suite 350S, St. Paul, MN Phone: Toll Free: Fax: Privacy Policy Site Map Contact Us Help Copyright 2008 Aging Services of Minnesota