Policy changes and initiatives
This page has information about policy changes and initiatives for the future of LTSS.
Apply for
Find
Report abuse
This page has information about policy changes and initiatives for the future of LTSS.
The Adult Day Standards Improvement Project is focused on developing recommendations to update and revise the licensing standards for adult day services in consultation with stakeholders. The purpose of the project is to develop a legislative proposal for new licensing standards.
Minnesota’s over 65 population will double between 2010 and 2030, and by then more than 1 in 5 Minnesotans will be an older age. The goals of Aging 2030 are to transform our systems and services so that Minnesotans are able to live well and age well as these demographic changes occur. Visit the Aging 2030 web page for more information.
The Minnesota Legislature passed the assisted living licensure law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 144G. The law established regulatory standards for the provision of housing and services in assisted living facilities and assisted living facilities with dementia care to help ensure the health, safety, well-being and appropriate treatment of residents. The law also authorized the Minnesota health commissioner to adopt rules for all assisted living facilities that promote person-centered planning and service delivery and optimal quality of life, and to ensure resident rights are protected, resident choice is allowed and public health and safety are ensured.
The Civil Monetary Penalty (CMP) Initiative consists of projects that are funded through CMPs. CMPs are fines assessed to Nursing Facilities that are out of compliance with federal Medicaid regulations governing facility operations. These monies must be utilized to fund projects that protect or improve the health, welfare, or safety of the residents of MN Nursing Facilities.
Community First Services and Supports (CFSS) is a Minnesota health care program that offers flexible options to meet the unique needs of people. CFSS allows people greater independence in their homes and communities. CFSS will replace personal care assistance (PCA) and the Consumer Support Grant (CSG).
Consumer-Directed Community Supports (CDCS) is a service option available through the home and community-based services (HCBS) waivers. This option gives people greater control, flexibility, and responsibility to manage and direct their services and supports. An increasing number of people choose CDCS so they can do things such as: Customize their services, hire and fire staff, and purchase goods and services.
The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) is using the Culture of Safety systemic critical incident review model to review critical incidents, such as medication errors and wheelchair safety incidents. DHS is using the Culture of Safety model to:
The direct care workforce shortage is one of the four priority access areas identified through previous Gaps Analysis studies and regional community meetings. People with disabilities and older Minnesotans struggle to recruit and retain direct support professionals. This webpage has information about state-sponsored workgroups, resources and other information related to the direct support professional workforce shortage crisis.
This legislative report (PDF) discusses data collection, analysis and recommendations about the service rates calculated by the DWRS.
In January 2014, DHS implemented the DWRS, which transitioned the state from a variable, county-negotiated rate methodology to a standard, statewide methodology for most disability waiver services. The DWRS establishes rates through a framework of cost components. The DWRS was considered fully implemented on Dec. 31, 2020, and all rates in the system are now calculated using the DWRS methodology.
The purpose of the EIDBI Benefit is to provide medically necessary early intensive intervention for people with ASD and related conditions, as well as:
The federal government will soon require some providers to use electronic visit verification systems to document that people are receiving the services that are billed to the state. The 21st Century Cures Act requires providers of personal care, including personal care assistance (PCA), and some waiver services (beginning in 2020) and home health care providers (beginning in 2023) to use electronic visit verification to be eligible for full federal Medicaid matching dollars.
Many people with disabilities want an opportunity to be part of the general workforce, but don’t see how it’s possible or aren’t given resources they need to work. Minnesota works to help people with disabilities find competitive, integrated employment. The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) supports an Employment First approach.
Minnesota added three employment services to our home and community-based services (HCBS) waivers on July 1, 2018. We added the following services to the Developmental Disabilities (DD), Community Alternative Care (CAC), Community Access for Disability Inclusion (CADI) and Brain Injury (BI) waivers:
Minnesota Department of Human Services offers options that give people more control over the services and supports they receive. These options include higher rates or budgets for eligible support workers. These include:
Minnesota Statutes, section 256B.0915, subdivision 17 directed the Department of Human Services (DHS) to make recommendations for changes to the rate methodology defined in subdivisions 11-16 based on the results of an evaluation. The evaluation activities and findings indicate that a number of changes to the statute would improve the rate setting methodology (PDF). Fully implementing the report’s recommendations will help ensure that the service rates are “consistent with efficiency, economy, and quality of care and are sufficient to enlist enough providers”, as required by the federal government, and available for public program participants into the future.
The Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Partners Panel is a group of stakeholders in long-term support services from the perspectives of aging, disability and mental health. Members represent county government, service providers and advocates with participation of state agency leaders. The panel will support continuous improvement in the HCBS system by providing a communication link among the system’s stakeholders and supporting specific initiatives.
The Minnesota Legislature authorized rate and budget increases for some home and community-based services. The service rate and monthly budget increases are effective January 1, 2023, or upon federal approval.
MnCHOICES is a comprehensive web-based application that integrates assessment and support planning for Minnesotans who need long-term services and supports. MnCHOICES is for people of all ages who have any type of disability or need for long-term services and supports. MnCHOICES embraces a person-centered approach to ensure services meet each person's strengths, goals, preferences and assessed needs.
The MnCHOICES Assessment and Support Plan applications are part of a multiyear effort by the Department of Human Services to transform long-term services and supports for people with disabilities and older adults in Minnesota. The MnCHOICES team, Minnesota IT Services, internal and external partners are working together to improve the applications and the assessment and support-planning process.
Minnesota’s Personal Health Record for Long Term Services and Supports Demonstration is a pilot project that tests the concept of a personal health record (PHR) that's designed for people receiving long term services and supports (LTSS).
Semi-independent living services include training and assistance in managing money, preparing meals, shopping, hygiene, and other activities needed to maintain and improve the capacity of an adult with a developmental disability to live in the community. A goal of SILS is to support people in ways that help them achieve their goals and direct their own lives.
A federal home and community-based services (HCBS) rule requires assurances that people have information and experiences with which to make informed decisions. This webpage provides information about Minnesota’s transition plan.
The Vulnerable Adult Act (VAA), Minnesota §626.557, was passed in 1980 and establishes state policy for the protection of vulnerable adults and Minnesota’s adult protection system. The decision to explore redesigning the VAA reflects the changing demographics in our state as well as recognition of the challenges within the current statute. The scope of the redesign is the service response offered vulnerable adults reported to the Minnesota Adult Abuse Reporting Center (MAARC) as suspected of being abused, neglected, or financially exploited.
Waiver Reimagine is the name of ongoing work DHS is doing to make system-level improvements to Minnesota’s four disability waiver programs. For people who receive services and families, the Waiver Reimagine project will: