In a routine communication, the Aging and Adult Services Division (AASD) and Disability Services Division (DSD) of the Department of Human Services (DHS) shared a slew of updates that affect a wide range of Minnesotans, from providers to those dependent on home care and disability services. The announced changes, all effective immediately or rolling out soon, include an updated contact method for electronic visit verification (EVV) inquiries, a move that discontinues the monitoring of an old DHS email inbox used for such inquiries. Providers of personal care and home health services are advised to take note of this procedural shift.
The DHS has also put a plan into action to thoroughly review and revamp the PartnerLink MnCHOICES webpages, aiming to offer lead agencies a reinforced framework by May 31. Additionally, a notable stride in policy was unveiled, as the DHS will cease allowing the manual bypass of Medicaid Management Information System (MMIS) exception code 951, with an effective date stamped as July 1. This adjustment aims to tighten compliance with continuous coverage mandates.
Amidst these structural updates, the DHS continues its quest for community engagement, extending a reminder for the "Waiver Reimagine Survey," which calls on stakeholders in disability waiver services to voice their insights on reform initiatives. DHS seeks contributions to help shape the future of the services it provides, and participants have until May 30, to offer their feedback.
Moreover, a roster of educational sessions underscores the DHS's commitment to professional development within its service fields. One such event, a positive support training slated for May 28, 2024, underscores a systems approach to trauma-informed practices. The training is a collaborative effort with the University of Minnesota Institute on Community Integration (ICI) and is targeted at a diverse audience including mental health services providers and lead agency personnel. In tandem, the agency lines up further training programs, including a two-day hybrid training on a "Culture of Safety" for licensed providers and lead agencies on June 24 and 25, emphasizing a methodical response to incidents and safety engagement.
The aforementioned updates are encapsulated in a digest published by the DHS on May 20th, 2024, an initiative that showcases the agency's transparency and ongoing dialogue with the communities it serves. The weekly digest is part of a sustained effort to keep open lines of communication and ensure that changes within the AASD and DSD are disseminated effectively for adherence and awareness.
