In last week’s Action we summarized provisions in the health and human services bill as they relate to nursing homes and home- and community-based services. In those summaries we did include many effective dates. In past years, the general rule of thumb about effective dates was this: when provisions involving financing and policy are included in an omnibus bill, their implementation or effective date is July 1, unless otherwise specified.

As with everything else, this year is different than the rule of thumb described above. This week, Care Providers of Minnesota staff met with Department of Human Services (DHS) staff to discuss a list of 19 questions that we have about implementation issues in the different provisions of the bill. Department staff were very gracious with their time and very open and honest about the fact that many of the provisions contained in the bill are in different stages of implementation. The questions we asked are posted on the Advocacy page of our website here (click on Care Providers of Minnesota Questions to DHS in Regard to 2011-2012 Budget Bill).

A very important item to note about the meeting is that for those provisions that impact the state budget (and your budget) that list a July 1, 2011 effective date, DHS will not implement those changes until September 1, 2011, and the rate cuts will be prospective and NOT retroactive to July 1.

Also important to point out is that for the provisions in the bill that have effective dates later than July 1, 2011 and if those dates are specified in the legislation, those dates will apply. For example, mandatory transitional consultation will still be effective on October 1, 2011.

As a reminder about effective dates assigned in this year’s HHS budget bill, the Advocacy page of our website has links to the articles that were written last week, where you can view the provisions and effective dates.

Heidi Holste
952.851.2482
hholste@careproviders.org

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