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Minnesota is taking steps to supervise autism services providers and some housing services providers more closely.
Starting June 1, DHS will tighten screening requirements for providers who bill Medicaid for autism services and some housing services. This includes Housing Stabilization Services, which helps older adults and people with disabilities with housing, as well as Early Intensive Developmental and Behavioral Intervention autism services. The state will re-categorize both types of services as “high risk.”
“It’s clear that these critical services need more oversight,” said temporary Human Services Commissioner Shireen Gandhi. “Moving these providers into the high-risk category is only the first step. We need more staff to put eyes on these programs and make sure everyone is safeguarding resources meant to help children, people with disabilities and older Minnesotans.”
The federal government sets three levels of screening for providers who bill Medicaid: limited, moderate and high risk. Autism services are currently designated moderate risk, while Housing Stabilization Services are considered limited risk. States may choose to move providers into higher risk categories, and that’s what Minnesota will do.
The change will strengthen oversight by:
- Mandating enhanced fingerprint background studies for owners
- Requiring screening visits before Medicaid enrollment and when enrollment is revalidated
- Allowing DHS to make unannounced site visits
Many autism services providers and Housing Stabilization Services providers work hard every day to meet pressing needs across Minnesota. DHS encourages providers to reach out if they need technical assistance.
More information is in a department news release.
Grants will go to 35 organizations across Minnesota to better connect communities, improve emergency preparedness and take steps to make the state more inclusive and equitable for people as they age.
Age-Friendly Minnesota is awarding $1.3 million to advance the efforts of age-friendly communities. Grants ranging from $9,000 to $75,000 each will go to cities, nonprofit organizations, for-profit businesses and others.
Age-Friendly Minnesota is a statewide initiative aimed at making communities across Minnesota more supportive, inclusive and livable for people of all ages — particularly older adults.
“These grants are a concrete example of supporting Age Friendly Minnesota priorities,” said Age-Friendly Council Chair Sherrie Pugh. “These projects will help support aging in place, improve community design and foster health, well-being and other ways to improve aging.”
The Age-Friendly Minnesota Council, in collaboration with DHS, launched the grant program in 2022 to help communities initiate or advance age-friendly efforts.
Details of the 35 grants are in a news release.
Medicaid, known as Medical Assistance in Minnesota, provides essential health care to people of all ages, all across the state.
As the largest single source of health insurance in Minnesota, the program also plays a significant role in the state's health care infrastructure.
No one can tell the story of how Medical Assistance has impacted your life better than you.
We invite submissions from enrollees, providers, community advocates, navigators, and county and Tribal staff.
Take a look at some Minnesotans' stories, and consider submitting your own at mn.gov/dhs/medicaid-matters/faces-of-medicaid.
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>> For announcements of hiring events, job postings, internships and more, follow us on LinkedIn and the DHS Careers Facebook page.
For accessible formats of this publication, write to [email protected], or call 651-431-2000 or use your preferred relay service.
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