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I’m looping back with hopes of getting some input of the ‘out of the box’ idea around differential pay for vaccinated workers and the other ideas to address your staffing challenges. I’d like to get back to DHS with input from the industry and while I plan to gather some input from conference attendees, I don’t plan to raise the differential pay idea at this point.

The highlight of my week: Brianna is back!! 😍

Final Rule

The Final Rule came out this afternoon. Value Based Purchasing has been delayed a year, with the first performance year being CT 2023 and increases are higher than expected. Stay tuned for more information. NAHC is offered a webinar on Friday and we will glean more from that also.

Advocacy

We asked for stories regarding how agencies are being impacted by staffing shortage and testing site challenges but are not hearing back from members. Having more data and anecdotal information would be very helpful as we advocate for assistance. Can you share your challenges with me so we have more to go on?

• 22% of our nursing staff FTE is vacant right now…and another 5% are brand new staff still orienting. That equates to about 9 nursing positions that are open and we are getting few to no applicants.

Kevin and I met with Dan Pollock and Doug Annett from DHS to discuss the staffing crisis in home care. We discussed a few ideas and would like your input on each of them:

• One idea that came up was to pay a differential for vaccinated staff. We’re not ready to share this idea broadly, but I’d welcome your input on the concept. IF the state can utilize special Covid-related funds to reimburse for this, do you believe it would be meaningful? And, if so, how much more would be needed to be attractive?

I don’t know that I would support this. It would get really complicated for us and not sure it would have a positive ROI.

We are offering other premium pay incentives and monetary bonuses for staff who commit to picking up shifts over and above their FTE and then actually follow through with that. Many of our staff have been willing to do that and it has provided some relief. CentraCare as a whole is also implementing “leadership in action” – meaning that leaders are expected to pick up a shift in any key area (primarily long term care, emergency department, EVS, nutrition services) at least once per pay period instead of doing their regular work.

• We are curious if you have reached out to retired former employees, asking them if they’d be willing to fill in. We’d love to hear your experiences on that front as well. Is it worth MHCA pursuing industry wide? Many retired nurses were not interested in 2020. Has that changed now that more people are vaccinated? We have not reached out to retired nurses.
• Would funding for more telehealth be helpful – to supplement staffing? If so, what would your needs be? Either a set  rate for telehealth visits that is billable for all licensed clinicians…or maybe Allowing 2 telehealth visits to count as an in person visit for billing purposes – whether that results in getting reimbursed from pay per visit payers or counting toward our lupa threshold. Allowing all supervisory visits to be done via telehealth as well. Another option would be a stipend or per diem for patients who receive remote patient monitoring services.

I know survey fatigue is a real thing. I’m wondering if people would be willing to answer questions while at the conference. I am brainstorming with staff about asking questions related to the retirees and telehealth. People might be willing to contribute in a small group setting…?

Committees

We continue to encourage members to apply for committees. Today, we have 37 applicants, are still in need of 2 chairs and 2 vice chairs. Brianna and I are brainstorming how we might combine a couple of the committees for one year if we simply don’t have enough volunteers.

Annual Meeting

Registration is closed, with 147 registered attendees; it’s down from previous years but not as low as it was a short time ago. The Expo is sold out! We will accept on-site registrations but will proceed cautiously with that since the venue is stating they won’t allow for extra meals. This Covid world is full of challenges, all around!

We are finalizing the volunteer roles this week; Melissa will be in touch regarding your assignments. Please let us know if you’d prefer an adjustment and we’ll do our best to be flexible.

Senator Abeler recorded a very nice message that will be played as his acceptance speech for the award.

Lastly, as a board member, will you please make an extra effort to thank our sponsors and exhibitors, as well as state agency staff that attend and present? We have two MDH presenters who will be in person; the DHS staff are doing a recording. Dan Pollock, DHS and Kathy Lucas, MDH plan to attend the Anniversary Dinner.

I look forward to your feedback regarding the staffing crisis and seeing you at the Annual Meeting!

Be Well,

Kathy Messerli

Executive Director

Minnesota Home Care Association

1265 Grey Fox Road, Suite 2 | Arden Hills, MN 55112-6929

Direct: 651.635.0038 | Main: 651.635.0607

www.mnhomecare.org | kmesserli@mnhomecare.org