As their dedication ceremonies were completed over the past month, the three new Minnesota Veterans Homes also accomplished another significant milestone: passing their VA Recognition Surveys!

The skilled nursing facilities, located in Bemidji, Montevideo and Preston, opened earlier this year but were limited to 20 Residents each until they passed these inspections or surveys conducted by the Federal VA. Successfully passing these surveys allows the Homes to begin collecting Federal VA per diem and to admit more Residents, as we work to recruit additional staff.

The Federal VA defines a Recognition Survey as “an announced survey of a State Veterans Home that is used to determine its compliance with VA standards, including compliance with all applicable Federal, State and local laws and the relevant professional standards for VA purposes to recognize the home as a State Veterans Home. To participate in the State Veterans Home program, VA must formally recognize and certify a facility as a State Veterans Home. The VA then surveys all facilities each year to make sure they continue to meet VA standards. The VA does not manage State Veterans Homes.”

The surveys include a comprehensive review of all the Homes’ operations including clinical care, facility safety and administrative compliance. The Federal VA Recognition survey is one of the most challenging regulatory visits and is unique only to State Veterans Homes when new construction is complete. This in-person/on-site survey occurs over several days and is required before collecting any Federal VA per diem dollars. Not only do our new State Veterans Homes need to meet all compliance through the Federal VA, but they will now also pursue a certification with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

“I am very proud of our new Veterans Homes for passing their VA Recognition Surveys,” said MDVA Commissioner Brad Lindsay. “They worked incredibly hard to prepare for the surveyors’ visits.”

“The Minnesota Veterans Homes have earned a reputation for providing the highest quality of care,” noted Deputy Commissioner - Healthcare Eric Meittunen. “These surveys validated our quality commitment to our Residents.”

Congratulations to Bemidji Veterans Home Administrator Kevin Gish, Montevideo Veterans Home Administrator Ashley Bormann and Preston Veterans Home Administrator Dave Dunn and their teams! Their next steps are to hire more staff to care for additional Residents. Employee recruitment activities have already begun.

For more information on career opportunities with the Minnesota Veterans Homes or across MDVA, visit /mdva/about/work-for-mdva/index.jspMinnesotaVeteran.org/Careers.