A Communication from Your Board Chair

I have been attending the Care Providers of Minnesota Convention and Exposition since 1986 and can tell you that at the end of three busy days, I have always learned something important about myself, the way I do my job, or about the culture that challenges us every day.

Each year I take something new away from the experience.  There have been times I went to the Convention seeking inspiration from other administrators.  I wanted to know how they handled specific problems, how they created opportunities for their employees, what new innovation they had discovered.  During those years, I found the time set aside for networking to be most valuable to me.

Other years, new rules and regulations, new systems, and new ways to improve our level of service were the buzz.  Targeted, critically useful education sessions provided opportunities for me to learn.  It was also an opportunity to provide learning opportunities for my staff.  They had the chance to select sessions applicable to their needs as leaders as well as enhance and improve their own departments.

And sometimes, I came curious to learn of new ideas and products that could benefit the residents and/or staff.  This is when I found value in the wide variety and range of exhibitors.  Facility improvements, changing resident needs, the latest in product choice and service options were available for me to learn about, evaluate, and explore during discussions with exhibitors.  Sometimes, I didn’t know exactly what I needed and I found direction and focus by taking the time to informally chat with a supplier or vendor I might have passed by in the past.

It has been a worthwhile investment of my time and resources to attend the Care Providers of Minnesota Convention & Exposition each year.  I not only have concluded this with the reasons already stated but also because of the relationships that have developed over the years.

The camaraderie, the educational opportunities, and the chances to recognize the achievements of others in this profession are important reasons that I continue to attend the Convention year after year.  There is a strong sense of pride in being surrounded by thousands of other providers, all committed to improving the quality of care and services in Minnesota’s long-term care profession.

Please join me this year at the 2006 Care Providers of Minnesota Convention & Exposition, Innovation Takes Flight, November 13–15.  Click here to learn more about this year's Convention & Exposition and to register:  http://www.careproviders.org/virtualtradeshow/web/default_inf.asp.

Susan Raper
sraper@careproviders.org

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Proposals due by October 31, 2006

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) has developed a process for the evaluation and selection of proposals for the Nursing Facility Performance-Based Incentive Payments.  This new program will allow nursing facilities to contract with DHS to earn a time limited performance-incentive Medical Assistance payment of up to five percent of a facility’s operating payment rate.  The first Request for Proposals (RFP) has $1.2 million (state share) available for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008.

In order to evaluate and select the proposal, DHS has created a three-phase process.  The following summarizes this three-phase process.  To view the entire four page document titled, “Pay for Performance Incentive Payments Proposal Evaluation and Selection Process” and other materials, please go to DHS’s website.

Phase One of the evaluation will be a review of the requirements for submission by Nursing Facility Rates and Policy Division staff from DHS.  This phase will focus on determining if a proposal has met all the requirements for submission.  Those proposals that meet all the requirements will proceed to Phase Two.

For Phase Two, DHS will establish an Evaluation Team comprised of stakeholders to evaluate the proposals.  After reviewing the proposals, the members of the Evaluation Team will use the following criteria and rating scale to score proposals:

	Criteria/Component	Points Assigned
1	How well the proposal addresses the goals of the performance based incentive payment program. (Improve Quality, Improve Efficiency, Rebalance Long-Term Care or Other).	13
2	Importance – is it clear that the proposal addresses a priority issue?	16
3	The outcomes to be achieved are objective, and can be measured reliably – will it be clear that the goals were attained or not?	13
4	Innovative – are new concepts, strategies, partnership arrangements, etc. being proposed?	16
5	Broad based applicability – can strategy be shared with other facilities, does the strategy address a common problem?	13
6	Prospective and sustainable – are the goals and outcomes expected prospective and sustainable? (Strategy can build on historical accomplishments).	13
7	Feasibility – is it likely the strategy will be successful?	10
8	Implications and incentives created by the strategy are clearly defined and desirable – includes discussion on how the strategy may support or conflict with other goals.	6
	Total Points	100

After reviewing the Proposals, the members of the evaluation team will rate each proposal component using the following formula.  The proposal will be evaluated according to each criteria listed in the above table.  The proposal will receive one of the following ratings for each criterion:  Excellent, Very Good, Good, or Poor.  The rating received will be determined by how well the team member feels the proposal meets the specified criteria.  Once the determination is made, the component will be assigned a corresponding point value as follows:

Point Value
Excellent:  1.0
Very Good:  0.67
Good:  0.33
Poor:  0.0

Upon determining which of the above ratings best describes the component being rated, the total possible points available for the components in the above table will be multiplied by the corresponding point value.  Each team members’ ratings will then be averaged by component.

The selection of proposals constitutes Phase Three.  The following steps will be taken to select proposals:

1. The evaluation team will discuss and review the scoring of proposals as a group in making recommendations for the successful responders.
2. The final award decision will be made by the Commissioner or authorized designee.  The Commissioner or authorized designee may accept or reject the recommendation of the evaluation team.
3. The successful responders will be selected approximately two months after the Proposal submission date.

Todd Bergstrom
952.851.2486
tbergstrom@careproviders.org

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Immunization Data is now on the Nursing Home Compare Website

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has recently added the immunization quality measures (QMs) to the Nursing Home Compare (NH Compare) website.  In October, CMS began posting 4 new QMs on the NH Compare website related to immunization.  These new measures are based on information on influenza and pneumococcal vaccination in Section W of the MDS.  The four measures are:

1. % of chronic care residents eligible and willing to receive the influenza vaccine
2. % of post-acute care residents eligible and willing to receive the influenza vaccine
3. % of chronic care residents eligible and willing to receive the pneumococcal vaccine
4. % of post-acute care residents eligible and willing to receive the pneumococcal vaccine

The influenza vaccine QM will be updated annually, and covers the period from October through March.  The pneumococcal vaccine QM will be updated on a quarterly basis.  The NH Compare website can be viewed at: http://www.medicare.gov/NHCompare/home.asp.

Doug Beardsley
952.851.2489
dbeardsl@careproviders.org

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Yes, Virginia, There Is Money Available for Us

The Department of Finance prepares formal forecasts of state revenues and expenditures in November and February each year as required by state law.  Quarterly Economic Updates are also prepared in January, April, July, and October each year.  These updates are not formal forecasts but report on year-to-date revenue collections compared to previous forecasts, and make note of any significant economic or revenue developments that have occurred since the last formal forecast.  The November forecast numbers are used by the administration to build base biennial budget recommendations; the February forecast is what the Governor and legislators use as their ultimate guide for spending/revenues each legislative session.

The following is a statement from Governor Tim Pawlenty regarding the Fiscal Year 2007 First Quarter Economic Update released last week by the Minnesota Department of Finance:

“This is more positive economic news and it shows our efforts to keep a lid on taxes have kept Minnesota’s economy on the right track.  With total tax receipts exceeding forecasts by $73 million for the first quarter of FY 2007 and $524 million to-date for the 2006–2007 biennium, there is plenty of revenue to keep our state budget in the black.  It’s clear from this news that our work to hold government accountable, set meaningful priorities and spend wisely is continuing to improve the health of Minnesota’s economy.  We are charting a course towards even more robust growth.”

Actual revenue is $524 million above what was projected in the February forecast earlier this year.

If you want to read the complete October Economic Update, click on the Department of Finance forecasting website page at:  http://www.finance.state.mn.us/ffeu/index.html.

Patti Cullen
952.851.2487
pcullen@careproviders.org

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Points used to determine value per bed closed

In order to assist members in understanding how their nursing facility may fare under the newly formed Planned Closure Rate Adjustment (PCRA), Care Providers of Minnesota has posted county-specific measures and points that will be used, in part, to determine a facility’s PCRA.  As you know, during the 2006 legislative session, there were several changes made to the nursing facility planned closure programs.  These changes were delineated in the Department of Human Services (DHS) bulletin #06-62-01.

Legislation enacted in 2006 amends the planned closure program for proposals negotiated after March 1, 2006, by eliminating the $2,080 limit.  Under the new legislation there is no cap on the per bed amount available, except that the proposal, cumulatively with other proposals that have been approved, has no cost to the state.  Facilities desiring to negotiate larger amounts should request to open such negotiations in their application cover letter.

Several objective measures will be used to determine a point value for each facility’s proposed bed closure.  The points, in turn, will be used to determine a per bed monetary value of a facility’s proposal.  The objective measures to be used are:

• County Beds Per 65 Plus (6.67 Points)
• County Beds Per 85 Plus (6.67 Points)
• Contiguous Beds Per 65 Plus (3.34 Points)
• Contiguous Beds Per 85 Plus (3.34 Points)
• Home and Community Based Services
• Ratio of Default Case Mix Rate 1.0 to Quality Score

With the exception of the Ratio of Default Case Mix Rate 1.0 to Quality Score measure, Care Providers of Minnesota has posted the point values by county for these measures on their website.

For more information on the PCRA process, please see Patti Cullen’s September 22, 2006 Action article title, “DHS Delineates Formula Used for Closure Negotiations,” at:  http://news.careproviders.org/careact/issues/2006-09-22.html#2.

Todd Bergstrom
952.851.2486
tbergstrom@careproviders.org

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Baby You Can Drive My Car

On Friday October 13, 2006 the Department of Human Services announced a new video conference for November 2, 2006 entitled, "Working Together for Safe Mobility.”  The video conference examines how many seniors and their families struggle with issues related to driving.  The training will discuss strategies that communities can develop to help older adults get where they want and need to go, both as independent drivers and consumers of alternative transportation.

Topics will include:

• How to talk with seniors about driving.
• Driving assessments and education options.
• Restrictions that can be placed on driving.
• New technology that can improve driving safety.
• Strategies for enhancing transit that work for seniors.

Presenters include representatives from the Minnesota Partnership for Safe Mobility (MPSM).  Participants will learn about projects and strategies that can be replicated in their communities.

Target audiences are case managers, care managers and long-term care consultants, senior service providers, area agencies on aging, community transit providers, and local elected officials.  Each person needs to register through the link below.  Any site for which there are no registrants one week prior to the event will be cancelled.  Registration closes at 5:00 p.m. on the Monday prior to the session.  Regretfully, no late registrations can be accepted.  To register, go to:  http://agingtraining.dhs.state.mn.us, click on one of the times for "Safe Senior Mobility 10/2/06," click "Next - Register," and a drop-down menu on the registration page will give you a choice of over 15 sites around the state.

Phil Manz
952.851.2484
pmanz@careproviders.org

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Annual Study Addresses Twin Cities Metro Area Market Conditions

Maxfield Research, Inc. has released its annual Senior Housing Update, which is a report on the market conditions for senior housing in the Twin Cities Metro Area.  The report is based on a survey of all market rate and affordable senior projects.

Maxfield is a full service real estate research and consulting firm that, among other things, conducts market feasibility studies for senior housing.

Their 21-page report for 2006 is available in pdf format on the Maxfield website.  From their home page, click on the “Our Publications” button at the top of your screen.

Jonathan Lips
952.851.2480
jlips@careproviders.org

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Hard Copy to be mailed to Beneficiaries

The general “Medicare & You 2007” handbook is now available at:  http://www.Medicare.gov/publications/pubs/pdf/10050.pdf to help people with Medicare review their coverage options and prepare to enroll in a new plan if they choose.  This official government handbook contains important information about what is new, health plans, prescription drug plans, and rights for people with Medicare.  You can find 48 geographic-specific versions of the handbook on the website listed below, with drug and health plan comparison charts for particular states or regions.  These are the versions that will be mailed to people with Medicare in the next few weeks.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is encouraging people with Medicare to review their current coverage this fall to see if it will meet their needs in 2007.  Now is the time to help people think about the cost, coverage, and customer service that they need in a plan to get the most out of their Medicare.

The geographic-specific books are online at:  http://www.cms.hhs.gov/Partnerships/PFP/list.asp#TopOfPage.  (Minnesota's information is the the Cluster Handbook for Iowa, Minnesota, and Nebraska.)  Beneficiaries will receive their Handbooks by the end of October.

Patti Cullen
952.851.2487
pcullen@careproviders.org

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New Web-Based Training Tool

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has developed and posted a new MDS v2.0 web-based training tool.  The tool provides information on completing the resident assessment instrument, the resident assessment protocols, provides SNF prospective payment system (PPS) guidance, and has an item-by-item guide to completing the MDS.  The tool can be accessed at:  http://www.mdstraining.org/upfront/u1.asp.  The tool is web-based and is free.

Doug Beardsley
952.851.2489
dbeardsl@careproviders.org

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McClellan Moves to Brookings Institution

Mark B. McClellan, who resigned last month as administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) within the Department of Health and Human Services, has joined the Brookings Institution and the American Enterprise Institute.  Dr. McClellan will be a senior research fellow focusing on ways to improve health care and eliminate excess costs, the groups announced on October 16, 2006.  An economist and physician, Dr. McClellan’s last major effort for the centers was overseeing the start of the Medicare drug benefit.

Patti Cullen
952.851.2487
pcullen@careproviders.org

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Improvement will permit gathering of data by survey district

My InnerView users should be aware of a new feature of My InnerView.  When users input information regarding their nursing facility’s annual survey data, they will now have the ability to identify which MN state survey district/team conducted their survey.  If centers designate their survey region from the drop-down list when entering their state survey data, it will allow us to retrieve aggregate data by survey region.  The new survey drop-down labels that are now available include:

Metro
Fergus Falls
Bemidji
Duluth
Mankato
Rochester
Saint Cloud
Mix/Match

Please share this information with the person in your facility designated to input the My InnerView data.

Doug Beardsley
952.851.2489
dbeardsl@careproviders.org

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Last Chance to Register

Many of those working in assisted living and senior housing settings have had to “make it up” as they went along.  Some came into the field with a wealth of nursing background – years of education and practice that prepared them well for the autonomy of this new role.  Unfortunately, given the growth of assisted living facilities and senior housing in the state and the shortage of professional nurses available, the typical nurse in assisted living may feel unprepared for the work he or she faces every day.

This course is designed for the nurse in assisted living and senior housing—whether you’ve been there for a while or you are new to this role.  You will learn from the instructors as well as from the other nurses you meet in the course.  You will have the opportunity to share stories, problem situations, and experiences that can and will shape your career.  You will see how “other nurses do it” and learn some of the systems, tools, and processes that have made their work more manageable.

Topics include:

• Relationship-based nursing
• What it means to manage your nursing practice
• Redefining your roles
• Avoiding the worst case scenarios
• Medication management
• Delegation and supervision
• Personnel issues
• Training
• Using systems to get your work done
• Quality assurance and quality improvement
• New law update

Speakers include:

Mark E. Anderson
Executive Director, Chandler Place

Janet Benson, MPH, RN, PHN
Senior Housing Services Consultant, The Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society

Rose Mary Brandt
Nurse Consultant, Tealwood Care Centers, Inc.

Susan Christianson
Director, Moorhead Manor

Sue Ann Guildermann, RN, BA, MA
Director of Education, Empira

Carol Diemert, RN, MSN
Practice Specialist, Minnesota Nurses Association

Sue Forstrom, RN
Consultant

Barbara Greene
Consultant, Creative Health Care Management

Roberta Guidry
Senior Housing & Services Administrator/Housing Leadership Support for BHS, Benedictine Senior Living At Steeple Pointe

Julie Limberis
Benedictine Senior Living At Steeple Pointe

June Lingle-Haas, RN
Assisted Living Nurse Consultant, Health Service Innovations

Jon Lips
Director of Legal Affairs, Care Providers of Minnesota

Sam Orbovich, Attorney at Law
Principal, Orbovich & Gartner

Anne L. Ringquist, RN, BSN
Nursing Practice Specialist, Minnesota Board of Nursing

Details
When:  October 23–25, 2006
Where:  Care Providers of Minnesota training room
Time:  8:30 am to 4:30 pm each day (check-in 8:00 am)
Cost:  $450 members, $575 nonmembers
Lodging:  AmeriSuites Bloomington $84 night (ask for Care Providers of Minnesota rate)

To register, click here:  http://www.careproviders.org/eventDetail.asp?where=member&what=1818.

Cheryl Smith
952.851.2488
csmith@careproviders.org

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FISH to speak at this year’s convention

Well, not actually fish—however Care Providers of Minnesota is delighted to have the FISH Philosophy People, Deena Ebbert in particular, speak at this year’s convention.  You have probably heard about the FISH Philosophy people and their energetic presentations, showing attendees how to catch the energy and release the potential!

People are dying to bring their passionate, authentic selves to their jobs.  Unfortunately, their jobs often won't let them.  The FISH Philosophy helps people build engaging and exciting work environments through conversation and inspiration!  Fire the imagination, expand perspective and invite powerful communication in the workplace with speaker Deena Ebbert.  Possessing a keen ability to discover the heart of the matter, Deena creates and conducts customized experiences pointed precisely toward the needs of leadership groups and front-line teams in organizations of all sizes and scopes.

About the speaker:  Deena Ebbert is infused with a passion for performance in all aspects of life, as both a former professional opera singer and a tenured member of corporate America.  A natural leader, Deena spent 15 years sought after by heads of industry during times of turbulence and change.  From innovative high-technology start-ups to Fortune 500 powerhouses, Deena built a reputation by creating winning environments where top-performing teams flourish.  Her positive impact on employee churn and productivity earned her 14 prestigious leadership awards, and she has a witty, wry and realistic perspective on ways to empower and motivate teams through compassion and trust.

Don’t miss the FISH Philosophy breakout on Wednesday November 15 at 1:45 pm.

Click here to check out all the educational offerings at this year's convention:  http://www.careproviders.org/virtualtradeshow/web/default_edu.asp, and click here to register for the convention:  http://www.careproviders.org/virtualtradeshow/web/default_reg.asp.

Cheryl Smith
952.851.2488
csmith@careproviders.org

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Sign up today to host sessions you will attend at this year’s Convention

The countdown to the Convention is underway.  If you want to add to your Convention experience, volunteer to host sessions you are planning to attend.  What is a session host?  It is the person who:

• Makes sure the room is set up according to request and everything is working properly (If there is any problem, we will have other staff to remedy the situation).
• Distributes handouts to all attendees.
• Introduces him/herself, makes the daily announcements (announcements provided).
• Introduces the speaker(s) (speaker introductory material provided).
• Counts the number of attendees at the session.
• Completes the Host Feedback Form.

Care Providers of Minnesota will provide you with detailed instructions.  Hosting is easy and allows you be an active participant in the Convention.

Pre-convention booklets were mailed, and the education sessions are also listed on the Convention website, so study the breakout sessions to determine what sessions you want to attend and host, then email your contact information and breakout sessions you will host to host@careproviders.org.

Cheryl Smith
952.851.2488
csmith@careproviders.org

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Feet Firmly Planted or Floating on Air?

We’ve tempted you with the training and education in store for you at this year’s Convention & Exposition, but we’ve also promised you lots of fun besides.  Here’s a bit of what’s in store:

The social part of your travel itinerary begins on Monday, November 13 at 5 p.m.  Talented pianist Jon de Vaal will be on stage during the Association’s Welcome Reception.  We invite you to join us for refreshments and hospitality during this informal tribute to Care Providers of Minnesota's President & CEO Rick Carter, who will be retiring in June of 2007.

On Tuesday, November 14, the well-known Twin Cities a cappella group, Marcoux Corner, will be performing prior to and after the General Session.  The quartet’s vocal acrobatics are guaranteed to energize the audience.

That evening, those with a more adventuresome spirit are encouraged to join us on a Pub Crawl as we sample a bit of the City’s best.  We’ll start the evening at Spike’s Sports Bar & Grill, right at the Hyatt Regency, and then walk down Nicollet Mall to Brit’s Pub to absorb a bit of British ambiance.  From there, the group will walk a few short blocks to the Rock Bottom Brewery.  Our final stop will take us “across the big water” again, as we end the evening at The Local, a well-known Irish pub.  It’s a night on the town in the company of friends that you’re sure to enjoy.

A very special piece of entertainment has been reserved for our Celebration of Caring Dinner & Awards Program on Wednesday, November 15.  Our Convention theme, Innovation Takes Flight, will be heard many times and incorporated into many presentations over the three days of the Convention.  Man’s fascination with flight has been ongoing and inspiring.  The challenge to go higher, faster, and farther continues to motivate us—none more so than in the health care industry, where we are continually presented with opportunities to reach new heights in the delivery of care and services.

On November 15, we’ll take the concept of flight a step further.  You’ll be awed by the beauty and skill of Xelias, a “Cirque-style” aerial performance troupe that takes the concept of flight to its most amazing heights.  It’s only fitting that the performance will precede our annual awards presentations, when we pay tribute to those individuals whose contributions are stellar examples of how Innovation Takes Flight.

Don't be left out!  Register for this high-flying convention by clicking here:  http://www.careproviders.org/virtualtradeshow/web/default_reg.asp.

Cyndi Spencer
952.851.2490
cspencer@careproviders.org

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Updated List of Staff “Assignments” on Website

We are pleased to introduce the newest staff member to the Association—Lisa Olson, who started on October 16 as our Director of Public Relations and Communications.  Lisa comes to us with both assisted living and communications experience, most recently as communication specialist with the city of Bloomington.  Lisa will be responsible for various public relations/communications activities such as media relations, awards, newsletters, website development and special events such as long-term care week.

Given the several Association staff changes over the past year, now is a good time to remind members that the list of staff, their overall areas of responsibility and specific issues “assigned” to different staff members are handily available to you on our website.

• Want to know “Who’s Who?”  Click here:  http://www.careproviders.org/AboutStaff.asp to see the list of staff members.  Click on a staff person’s name to see their photo and a brief description of their work for the Association.
• Have a question you'd like us to answer?  Search alphabetically by topic for the staff person who can help using this specific website page link:  http://www.careproviders.org/askstaff.html.
• Want to call a staff member?  Click here:  http://www.careproviders.org/phonelist.pdf for staff names and phone numbers listed alphabetically by last name.

Patti Cullen
952.851.2487
pcullen@careproviders.org

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