Minnesota Session Laws - 2008, Regular Session

CHAPTER 230--S.F.No. 3227

An act

relating to health; making changes to resident reimbursement classification provisions; making changes to provisions for Alzheimer's disease facilities; making changes to nursing home moratorium provisions; requiring a report recommending standards for personal care assistant services;

amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 144.0724, subdivision 7; 144.6503; 144A.073, as amended; 144A.10, subdivision 4; 144A.11, subdivision 2; 144A.46, subdivisions 1, 2.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 144.0724, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

Subd. 7.

Notice of resident reimbursement classification.

(a) deleted text begin A facility must elect between the options in clauses (1) and (2) to provide notice to a resident of the resident's case mix classification. deleted text end

deleted text begin (1) deleted text end The commissioner of health shall provide to a nursing facility a notice for each resident of the reimbursement classification established under subdivision 1. The notice must inform the resident of the classification that was assigned, the opportunity to review the documentation supporting the classification, the opportunity to obtain clarification from the commissioner, and the opportunity to request a reconsideration of the classification. The commissioner must deleted text begin send deleted text end new text begin transmit the new text end notice of resident classification by deleted text begin first class mail deleted text end new text begin electronic means to the nursing facility new text end . A nursing facility is responsible for the distribution of the notice to each resident, to the person responsible for the payment of the resident's nursing home expenses, or to another person designated by the resident. This notice must be distributed within three working days after the facility's receipt of the new text begin electronic file of new text end notice new text begin of case mix classifications new text end from the commissioner of health.

deleted text begin (2) A facility may choose to provide a classification notice, as prescribed by the commissioner of health, to a resident upon receipt of the confirmation of the case mix classification calculated by a facility or a corrected case mix classification as indicated on the final validation report from the commissioner. A nursing facility is responsible for the distribution of the notice to each resident, to the person responsible for the payment of the resident's nursing home expenses, or to another person designated by the resident. This notice must be distributed within three working days after the facility's receipt of the validation report from the commissioner. If a facility elects this option, the commissioner of health shall provide the facility with a list of residents and their case mix classifications as determined by the commissioner. A nursing facility may make this election to be effective on the day of implementation of the revised case mix system. deleted text end

deleted text begin (3) After implementation of the revised case mix system, a nursing facility shall elect a notice of resident reimbursement classification procedure as described in clause (1) or (2) by reporting to the commissioner of health, as prescribed by the commissioner. The election is effective July 1. deleted text end

(b) If a facility submits a correction to the most recent assessment used to establish a case mix classification conducted under subdivision 3 that results in a change in case mix classification, the facility shall give written notice to the resident or the resident's representative about the item that was corrected and the reason for the correction. The notice of corrected assessment may be provided at the same time that the resident or resident's representative is provided the resident's corrected notice of classification.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 144.6503, is amended to read:

144.6503 FACILITIES FOR ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE OR RELATED DISORDER.

(a) If a nursing facility deleted text begin markets or otherwise promotes services for deleted text end new text begin serves new text end persons with Alzheimer's disease or related disorders, whether in a segregated or general unit, the facility's direct care staff and their supervisors must be trained in dementia care.

(b) Areas of required training include:

(1) an explanation of Alzheimer's disease and related disorders;

(2) assistance with activities of daily living;

(3) problem solving with challenging behaviors; and

(4) communication skills.

(c) The facility shall provide to consumers in written or electronic form a description of the training program, the categories of employees trained, the frequency of training, and the basic topics covered.

new text begin (d) The facility shall document compliance with this section. new text end

new text begin (e) The commissioner of health has enforcement authority under section 144A.10, subdivision 1, to ensure compliance of the training requirements in this section. new text end

new text begin (f) At each facility inspection under section 144A.10, subdivision 2, if the facility is not in compliance, the commissioner has authority to issue a correction order under section 144A.10, subdivision 4. new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 144A.073, as amended by Laws 2007, chapter 147, article 7, section 1, is amended to read:

144A.073 EXCEPTIONS TO THE MORATORIUM; REVIEW.

Subdivision 1.

Definitions.

For purposes of this section, the following terms have the meanings given them:

(a) "Conversion" means the relocation of a nursing home bed from a nursing home to an attached hospital.

(b) "Relocation" means the movement of licensed nursing home beds or certified boarding care beds as permitted under subdivision 4, clause (3), and subdivision 5.

(c) "Renovation" means extensive remodeling of deleted text begin , or construction of an addition to, a facility on an existing site deleted text end new text begin an existing facility new text end with a total cost exceeding ten percent of the appraised value of the facility or $200,000, whichever is less. new text begin A renovation may include the replacement or upgrade of existing mechanical or electrical systems. new text end

(d) "Replacement" means the deleted text begin demolition, delicensure, reconstruction, or construction of an addition to all or part of an existing deleted text end new text begin construction of a complete new new text end facility.

(e) new text begin "Addition" means the construction of new space to an existing facility. new text end

new text begin (f) new text end "Upgrading" means a change in the level of licensure of a bed from a boarding care bed to a nursing home bed in a certified boarding care facility.

new text begin (g) "Phased project" means a proposal that identifies construction occurring with more than one distinct completion date. To be considered a distinct completion, each phase must have construction that is ready for resident use, as determined by the commissioner, that is not dependent on similar commissioner approval for future phases of construction. The commissioner of human services shall only allow rate adjustments for construction projects in phases if the proposal from a facility identifies construction in phases and each phase can be approved for use independent of the other phases. new text end

Subd. 2.

Request for proposals.

At the authorization by the legislature of additional medical assistance expenditures for exceptions to the moratorium on nursing homes, the commissioner shall publish in the State Register a request for proposals for nursing home new text begin and certified boarding care home new text end projects deleted text begin to be licensed or certified under section 144A.071, subdivision 4a, clause (c) deleted text end new text begin for conversion, relocation, renovation, replacement, upgrading, or addition new text end . The public notice of this funding and the request for proposals must specify how the approval criteria will be prioritized by the commissioner. The notice must describe the information that must accompany a request and state that proposals must be submitted to the commissioner within deleted text begin 90 deleted text end new text begin 150 new text end days of the date of publication. The notice must include the amount of the legislative appropriation available for the additional costs to the medical assistance program of projects approved under this section. deleted text begin If no money is appropriated for a year, the commissioner shall publish a notice to that effect, and no proposals shall be requested. deleted text end If money is appropriated, the commissioner shall initiate the application and review process described in this section at least deleted text begin twice deleted text end new text begin once new text end each biennium deleted text begin and up to four times each biennium, according to dates established by rule. Authorized funds shall be allocated proportionally to the number of processes deleted text end . new text begin A second application and review process must occur if remaining funds are either greater than $300,000 or more than 50 percent of the baseline appropriation for the biennium. Authorized funds may be awarded in full in the first review process of the biennium. Appropriated new text end funds not encumbered deleted text begin by an earlier process deleted text end within a biennium shall carry forward to deleted text begin subsequent iterations of the process. Authorization for expenditures does not carry forward into deleted text end the following biennium. To be considered for approval, a proposal must include the following information:

(1) whether the request is for renovation, replacement, upgrading, conversion, new text begin addition, new text end or relocation;

(2) a description of the deleted text begin problem deleted text end new text begin problems new text end the project is designed to address;

(3) a description of the proposed project;

(4) an analysis of projected costs of the nursing facility deleted text begin proposal, which are not required to exceed the cost threshold referred to in section 144A.071, subdivision 1, to be considered under this section deleted text end new text begin proposed project new text end , including new text begin : new text end

new text begin (i) new text end initial construction and remodeling costs;

new text begin (ii) new text end site preparation costs;

new text begin (iii) equipment and new text end technology costs;

new text begin (iv) new text end financing costs, deleted text begin including deleted text end the current estimated long-term financing costs of the proposal, which deleted text begin consists of deleted text end new text begin is to include details of any proposed funding mechanism already arranged or being considered, including new text end estimates of the amount and sources of money, reserves if required deleted text begin under the proposed funding mechanism deleted text end , annual payments schedule, interest rates, length of term, closing costs and fees, insurance costs, deleted text begin and deleted text end any completed marketing study or underwriting review; and

new text begin (v) new text end estimated operating costs during the first two years after completion of the project deleted text begin ; deleted text end new text begin . new text end

(5) for proposals involving replacement of all or part of a facility, the proposed location of the replacement facility and an estimate of the cost of addressing the problem through renovation;

(6) for proposals involving renovation, an estimate of the cost of addressing the problem through replacement;

(7) the proposed timetable for commencing construction and completing the project;

(8) a statement of any licensure or certification issues, such as certification survey deficiencies;

(9) the proposed relocation plan for current residents if beds are to be closed deleted text begin so that the Department of Human Services can estimate the total costs of a proposal deleted text end new text begin according to section 144A.161 new text end ; and

(10) other information required by permanent rule of the commissioner of health in accordance with subdivisions 4 and 8.

Subd. 3.

Review and approval of proposals.

Within the limits of money specifically appropriated to the medical assistance program for this purpose, the commissioner of health may grant exceptions to the nursing home licensure or certification moratorium for proposals that satisfy the requirements of this section. The commissioner of health shall approve or disapprove a project. The commissioner of health shall base approvals or disapprovals on a comparison and ranking of proposals using only the criteria in subdivision 4 and in rules adopted by the commissioner. The cost to the medical assistance program of the proposals approved must be within the limits of the appropriations specifically made for this purpose. Approval of a proposal expires 18 months after approval by the commissioner of health unless the facility has commenced construction as defined in section 144A.071, subdivision 1a, paragraph (d).

Subd. 3b.

Amendments to approved projects.

(a) Nursing facilities that have received approval on or after July 1, 1993, for exceptions to the moratorium on nursing homes through the process described in this section may request amendments to the designs of the projects by writing the commissioner within deleted text begin 18 deleted text end new text begin 15 new text end months of receiving approval. Applicants shall submit supporting materials that demonstrate how the amended projects meet the criteria described in paragraph (b).

(b) The commissioner shall approve requests for amendments for projects approved on or after July 1, 1993, according to the following criteria:

(1) the amended project designs must provide solutions to all of the problems addressed by the original application that are at least as effective as the original solutions;

(2) the amended project designs may not reduce the space in each resident's living area or in the total amount of common space devoted to resident and family uses by more than five percent;

(3) the costs recognized for reimbursement of amended project designs shall be the threshold amount of the original proposal as identified according to section 144A.071, subdivision 2, except under conditions described in clause (4); and

(4) total costs up to ten percent greater than the cost identified in clause (3) may be recognized for reimbursement if the proposer can document that one of the following circumstances is true:

(i) changes are needed due to a natural disaster;

(ii) conditions that affect the safety or durability of the project that could not have reasonably been known prior to approval are discovered;

(iii) state or federal law require changes in project design; or

(iv) documentable circumstances occur that are beyond the control of the owner and require changes in the design.

(c) Approval of a request for an amendment does not alter the expiration of approval of the project according to subdivision 3.

Subd. 3c.

Cost neutral relocation projects.

(a) Notwithstanding subdivision 3, the commissioner may at any time accept proposals, or amendments to proposals previously approved under this section, for relocations that are cost neutral with respect to state costs as defined in section 144A.071, subdivision 5a. The commissioner, in consultation with the commissioner of human services, shall evaluate proposals according to subdivision 4, clauses (1), (2), deleted text begin and deleted text end (3), new text begin and (9) new text end and other criteria established in rule. The commissioner shall approve or disapprove a project within 90 days. Proposals and amendments approved under this subdivision are not subject to the six-mile limit in subdivision 5, paragraph (e).

(b) For the purposes of paragraph (a), cost neutrality shall be measured over the first three 12-month periods of operation after completion of the project.

deleted text begin Subd. 3d. deleted text end

deleted text begin Project amendment authorized. deleted text end

deleted text begin Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision 3b: deleted text end

deleted text begin (1) the commissioner may approve a request by a nursing facility located in the city of Duluth with 48 licensed beds as of January 1, 2005, that received approval under this section in 2002 for a moratorium exception project for amendment of the project design that: deleted text end

deleted text begin (i) reduces the total amount of common space devoted to resident and family uses by more than five percent if the total amount of common space in the facility, including that added by the project, is at least 175 percent of the state requirement for common space; and deleted text end

deleted text begin (ii) reduces the space for no more than two residents' living areas by increasing the size of a majority of the single-bed rooms from the size in the project design as originally approved and converting two single-bed rooms in the project design as originally approved to one semi-private room; and deleted text end

deleted text begin (2) the commissioner may approve a request by a nursing facility located in the city of Duluth with 129 licensed beds as of January 1, 2005, that received approval under this section in 2002 for a moratorium exception project for amendment of the project design that: deleted text end

deleted text begin (i) reduces the total amount of common space devoted to resident and family uses by more than five percent if the total amount of common space in the facility, including that added by the project, is at least 175 percent of the state requirement for common space; and deleted text end

deleted text begin (ii) reduces the space for no more than four residents' living areas by increasing the size of a majority of the single-bed rooms from the size in the project design as originally approved and converting four single-bed rooms in the project design as originally approved to two semi-private rooms; and deleted text end

deleted text begin (3) the amended project designs in clauses (1) and (2) must provide solutions to all of the problems addressed by the original application that are at least as effective as the original solutions. deleted text end

Subd. 4.

Criteria for review.

The following criteria shall be used in a consistent manner to compare, evaluate, and rank all proposals submitted. Except for the criteria specified in clause (3), the application of criteria listed under this subdivision shall not reflect any distinction based on the geographic location of the proposed project:

(1) the extent to which the proposal furthers state long-term care goals, including the goal of enhancing the availability and use of alternative care services and the goal of reducing the number of long-term care resident rooms with more than two beds;

(2) the proposal's long-term effects on state costs including the cost estimate of the project according to section 144A.071, subdivision 5a;

(3) the extent to which the proposal promotes equitable access to long-term care services in nursing homes through redistribution of the nursing home bed supply, as measured by the number of beds relative to the population 85 or older deleted text begin , projected to the year 2000 by the state demographer, and according to items (i) to (iv): deleted text end new text begin using data published according to requirements in section 144A.351; new text end

deleted text begin (i) reduce beds in counties where the supply is high, relative to the statewide mean, and increase beds in counties where the supply is low, relative to the statewide mean; deleted text end

deleted text begin (ii) adjust the bed supply so as to create the greatest benefits in improving the distribution of beds; deleted text end

deleted text begin (iii) adjust the existing bed supply in counties so that the bed supply in a county moves toward the statewide mean; and deleted text end

deleted text begin (iv) adjust the existing bed supply so that the distribution of beds as projected for the year 2020 would be consistent with projected need, based on the methodology outlined in the Interagency Long-Term Care Committee's nursing home bed distribution study; deleted text end

(4) the extent to which the project improves conditions that affect the health or safety of residents, such as narrow corridors, narrow door frames, unenclosed fire exits, and wood frame construction, and similar provisions contained in fire and life safety codes and licensure and certification rules;

(5) the extent to which the project improves conditions that affect the comfort or quality of life of residents in a facility or the ability of the facility to provide efficient care, such as a relatively high number of residents in a room; inadequate lighting or ventilation; poor access to bathing or toilet facilities; a lack of available ancillary space for dining rooms, day rooms, or rooms used for other activities; problems relating to heating, cooling, or energy efficiency; inefficient location of nursing stations; deleted text begin narrow corridors; deleted text end or other provisions contained in the licensure and certification rules;

(6) the extent to which the applicant demonstrates the delivery of quality care, as defined in state and federal statutes and rules, to residents as evidenced by the two most recent state agency certification surveys and the applicants' response to those surveys;

(7) the extent to which the project removes the need for waivers or variances previously granted by either the licensing agency, certifying agency, fire marshal, or local government entity;

(8) the extent to which the project increases the number of private or single bed rooms;

(9) the extent to which the applicant demonstrates the continuing need for nursing facility care in the community and adjacent communities; and

(10) other factors that may be developed in permanent rule by the commissioner of health that evaluate and assess how the proposed project will further promote or protect the health, safety, comfort, treatment, or well-being of the facility's residents.

Subd. 5.

Replacement restrictions.

(a) Proposals submitted or approved under this section involving replacement must provide for replacement of the facility on the existing site except as allowed in this subdivision.

(b) Facilities located in a metropolitan statistical area other than the Minneapolis-St. Paul seven-county metropolitan area may relocate to a site within the same census tract or a contiguous census tract.

(c) Facilities located in the Minneapolis-St. Paul seven-county metropolitan area may relocate to a site within the same or contiguous health planning area as adopted in March 1982 by the Metropolitan Council.

(d) Facilities located outside a metropolitan statistical area may relocate to a site within the same city or township, or within a contiguous township.

(e) A facility relocated to a different site under paragraph (b), (c), or (d) must not be relocated to a site more than six miles from the existing site.

(f) The relocation of part of an existing first facility to a second location, under paragraphs (d) and (e), may include the relocation to the second location of up to four beds from part of an existing third facility located in a township contiguous to the location of the first facility. The six-mile limit in paragraph (e) does not apply to this relocation from the third facility.

(g) For proposals approved on January 13, 1994, under this section involving the replacement of 102 licensed and certified beds, the relocation of the existing first facility to the new location under paragraphs (d) and (e) may include the relocation of up to 75 beds of the existing facility. The six-mile limit in paragraph (e) does not apply to this relocation.

Subd. 6.

Conversion restrictions.

Proposals submitted or approved under this section involving conversion must satisfy the following conditions:

(a) Conversion is limited to a total of five beds.

(b) An equivalent number of hospital beds must be delicensed.

(c) The average occupancy rate in the existing nursing home beds must be greater than 96 percent according to the most recent annual statistical new text begin and cost new text end report of the Department of deleted text begin Health deleted text end new text begin Human Services new text end .

(d) The cost of remodeling the hospital rooms to meet current nursing home construction standards must not exceed ten percent of the appraised value of the nursing home or $200,000, whichever is less.

(e) The conversion must not result in an increase in operating costs.

Subd. 7.

Upgrading restrictions.

Proposals submitted or approved under this section involving upgrading must satisfy the following conditions:

(a) The facility must meet minimum nursing home deleted text begin care standards deleted text end new text begin licensure requirements new text end .

(b) If beds are upgraded to nursing home beds, the number of boarding care beds in a facility must not increase in the future.

deleted text begin (c) The average occupancy rate in the existing nursing home beds in an attached facility must be greater than 96 percent according to the most recent annual statistical report of the Department of Health. deleted text end

Subd. 8.

Rulemaking.

The commissioner of health shall adopt rules to implement this section. The permanent rules must be in accordance with and implement only the criteria listed in this section. deleted text begin The authority to adopt permanent rules continues until July 1, 1996. deleted text end

Subd. 9.

Budget request.

The commissioner of human services, in consultation with the commissioner of finance, shall include in each biennial budget request a line item for the nursing home moratorium exception process. If the commissioner of human services does not request funding for this item, the commissioner of human services must justify the decision in the budget pages.

deleted text begin Subd. 10. deleted text end

deleted text begin Extension of approval of moratorium exception. deleted text end

deleted text begin Notwithstanding subdivision 3, the commissioner of health shall extend project approval for an additional 36 months for any proposed exception to the nursing home licensure and certification moratorium if the proposal was approved under this section between July 1, 2001, and June 30, 2003. deleted text end

Subd. 11.

Funding from expired and canceled proposals.

The commissioner shall monitor the status of projects approved under this section to identify, in consultation with each facility with an approved project, if projects will be canceled or will expire. For projects that have been canceled or have expired, if originally approved after June 30, 2001, the commissioner's approval authority for the estimated annual state cost to medical assistance shall carry forward and shall be available for the issuance of a new moratorium round later in that fiscal year or in either of the following two fiscal years.

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 144A.10, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Correction orders.

Whenever a duly authorized representative of the commissioner of health finds upon inspection of a nursing home, that the facility or a controlling person or an employee of the facility is not in compliance with sections 144.411 to 144.417, 144.651, new text begin 144.6503, new text end 144A.01 to 144A.155, or 626.557 or the rules promulgated thereunder, a correction order shall be issued to the facility. The correction order shall state the deficiency, cite the specific rule or statute violated, state the suggested method of correction, and specify the time allowed for correction. If the commissioner finds that the nursing home had uncorrected or repeated violations which create a risk to resident care, safety, or rights, the commissioner shall notify the commissioner of human services who shall require the facility to use any efficiency incentive payments received under section 256B.431, subdivision 2b, paragraph (d), to correct the violations and shall require the facility to forfeit incentive payments for failure to correct the violations as provided in section 256B.431, subdivision 2p. The forfeiture shall not apply to correction orders issued for physical plant deficiencies.

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 144A.11, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Mandatory proceedings.

new text begin (a) new text end The commissioner of health shall initiate proceedings within 60 days of notification to suspend or revoke a nursing home license or shall refuse to renew a license if within the preceding two years the nursing home has incurred the following number of uncorrected or repeated violations:

(1) two or more uncorrected violations or one or more repeated violations which created an imminent risk to direct resident care or safety; or

(2) four or more uncorrected violations or two or more repeated violations of any nature for which the fines are in the four highest daily fine categories prescribed in rule.

new text begin (b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), the commissioner is not required to revoke, suspend, or refuse to renew a facility's license if the facility corrects the violation. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 144A.46, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

License required.

(a) A home care provider may not operate in the state without a current license issued by the commissioner of health. A home care provider may hold a separate license for each class of home care licensure.

(b) Within ten days after receiving an application for a license, the commissioner shall acknowledge receipt of the application in writing. The acknowledgment must indicate whether the application appears to be complete or whether additional information is required before the application will be considered complete. Within 90 days after receiving a complete application, the commissioner shall either grant or deny the license. If an applicant is not granted or denied a license within 90 days after submitting a complete application, the license must be deemed granted. An applicant whose license has been deemed granted must provide written notice to the commissioner before providing a home care service.

(c) Each application for a home care provider license, or for a renewal of a license, shall be accompanied by a fee to be set by the commissioner under section 144.122.

new text begin (d) The commissioner of health, in consultation with the commissioner of human services, shall provide recommendations to the legislature by February 15, 2009, for provider standards for personal care assistant services as described in section 256B.0655. new text end

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 144A.46, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Exemptions.

The following individuals or organizations are exempt from the requirement to obtain a home care provider license:

(1) a person who is licensed as a registered nurse under sections 148.171 to 148.285 and who independently provides nursing services in the home without any contractual or employment relationship to a home care provider or other organization;

(2) a personal care assistant who provides services to only one individual under the medical assistance program as authorized under sections 256B.0625, subdivision 19a, and 256B.04, subdivision 16;

(3) a person or organization that deleted text begin exclusively deleted text end offers, provides, or arranges for personal care assistant services deleted text begin to only one individual deleted text end under the medical assistance program as authorized under sections 256B.0625, subdivision 19a, and 256B.04, subdivision 16 new text begin , until provider standards are implemented based on the recommendations in section 144A.46, subdivision 1, paragraph (d) new text end ;

(4) a person who is licensed under sections 148.65 to 148.78 and who independently provides physical therapy services in the home without any contractual or employment relationship to a home care provider or other organization;

(5) a provider that is licensed by the commissioner of human services to provide semi-independent living services under Minnesota Rules, parts 9525.0500 to 9525.0660 when providing home care services to a person with a developmental disability;

(6) a provider that is licensed by the commissioner of human services to provide home and community-based services under Minnesota Rules, parts 9525.2000 to 9525.2140 when providing home care services to a person with a developmental disability;

(7) a person or organization that provides only home management services, if the person or organization is registered under section 144A.461; or

(8) a person who is licensed as a social worker under chapter 148D and who provides social work services in the home independently and not through any contractual or employment relationship with a home care provider or other organization.

An exemption under this subdivision does not excuse the individual from complying with applicable provisions of the home care bill of rights.

Presented to the governor April 22, 2008

Signed by the governor April 24, 2008, 3:36 p.m.