SUPPLEMENTAL NOTICE OF PROPOSED CHANGES ON MEDICAID: RATE CHANGES- FACILITIES, HOSPITALS, PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, & WAIVERS IN THE REGULATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION The Department of Health & Social Services proposes to change regulations on cost containment measures through rate and service reductions, no inflation rate for fiscal year 2018, and no rebasing for fiscal year 2018 for services that receive customary inflation. |
The Department of Health & Social Services proposes to adopt regulation changes in Title 7 of the Alaska Administrative Code dealing with cost containment measures to the Medicaid program related to facilities, hospitals, professional services, and waivers, 7 AAC 130, 145, and 150.
This is a SUPPLEMENTAL NOTICE adding to the NOTICE OF PROPOSED CHANGES that was issued on April 12, 2017, concerning these proposed regulation revisions contained in the Department of Law file number JU2017200200. This SUPPLEMENTAL NOTICE is being issued because the Department of Health & Social Services has decided to hold a second public hearing on May 26, 2017, and extend the deadline for public comments to June 15, 2017. The second public hearing is scheduled because the Department experienced teleconference number-related technical issues very close to the first scheduled public hearing. The teleconference number had to be changed from the number noticed on April 12, 2017. While the Department made arrangements for callers to be redirected to the changed teleconference number, the Department decided to hold a second public hearing to ensure adequate notice and public comment.
You may comment on the proposed regulation changes, including the potential costs to private persons of complying with the proposed changes, by submitting written comments to Kurt West at kurt.west@alaska.gov or at PO Box 110601, Attn. Kurt West, Juneau, AK 99811-0601. The comments must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on June 15, 2017.
Oral or written comments also may be submitted at a hearing to be held on May 26, 2017, at the Atwood Building, 550 W 7th Avenue, Conference Room Number 104, Anchorage, AK 99501. The hearing will be held from 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. and might be extended to accommodate those present before 12:30 p.m. who did not have an opportunity to comment. If you are unable to attend in person, but would like to comment during the oral public hearing, you can call the teleconference number (877) 226-6497 (Toll Free). An operator will be available beginning at 11:45 am to register callers; the hearing will begin at 12:00 pm.
You may submit written questions relevant to the proposed action to Kurt West at kurt.west@alaska.gov or at 350 Main St., Suite 425, Juneau, AK 99801. The questions must be received at least 10 days before the end of the public comment period. The Department of Health & Social Services will aggregate its response to substantially similar questions and make the questions and response available on the Alaska Online Public Notice System at https://aws.state.ak.us/OnlinePublicNotices/ and the department website.
If you are a person with a disability who needs a special accommodation in order to participate in this process, please contact Kurt West at kurt.west@alaska.gov or at (907) 465-6522 no later than May 22, 2017, to ensure that any necessary accommodations can be provided.
A copy of the proposed regulation changes is available on the Alaska Online Public Notice System at and/or through the electronic link to the complete text on the Alaska Online Public Notice System at https://aws.state.ak.us/OnlinePublicNotices/ and by contacting Kurt West at kurt.west@alaska.gov or at (907) 465-6522.
After the public comment period ends, the Department of Health & Social Services will either adopt the proposed regulation changes or other provisions dealing with the same subject, without further notice, or decide to take no action. The language of the final regulation may be different from that of the proposed regulation. You should comment during the time allowed if your interests could be affected.
Statutory authority: AS 47.05.010; AS 47.07.020; AS 47.07.030; AS 47.07.036; AS 47.07.040; AS 47.07.070; AS 47.07.071; AS 47.07.073; AS 47.07.074; AS 47.20.060; AS 47.20.070; AS 47.20.110.
Statutes being implemented, interpreted, or made specific: AS 47.05.010; AS 47.07.020; AS 47.07.030; AS 47.07.036; AS 47.07.040; AS 47.07.070; AS 47.07.071; AS 47.07.073; AS 47.07.074; AS 47.20.060; AS 47.20.070; AS 47.20.110.
Fiscal information: The proposed regulation changes are not expected to require an increased appropriation.
DATE: May 12, 2017
/s/Jon Sherwood
Deputy Commissioner
Department of Health & Social Services