NOTICE OF PROPOSED CHANGES ON THE ALASKA PIONEERS’ HOMES RATES & LEVELS OF SERVICE, IN THE REGULATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES.

The Department of Health & Social Services proposes to adopt regulation changes in Title 7 of the Alaska Administrative Code, dealing with the rates charged to residents, levels of service, payment assistance, and admission to an Alaska Pioneers’ Home, including the following:

(1) 7 AAC 74.010. Quality and levels of service, is proposed to be changed as follows: Increase the level of service from three to five levels.

(2) 7 AAC 74.025. Rates, is proposed to be changed as follows: Increase the rate charged for each level of service to align with the actual cost of providing the service.

(3) 7 AAC 74.040. Payment for services in a pioneers’ home, is proposed to be changed as follows: Require every applicant and resident to provide income and resource verification; include a deadline to complete the required forms.

(4) 7 AAC 74.045. Payment assistance, is proposed to be changed as follows: Use the rate set by the Department’s Division of Public Assistance for Long Term Care Standards for the maximum community spouse resource allowance.

(5) 7 AAC 74.060. Admission and discharge, is proposed to be changed as follows: Increase the length of time that an applicant will remain on the inactive waiting list before applying for a transfer to the active waiting list.

(6) 7 AAC 74.990. Definitions, is proposed to be changed as follows: Add definitions for complex behaviors, level of service, and maximum community spouse monthly maintenance allowance.

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 the Department of Health & Social Services, Division of Alaska Pioneer Homes, RE- Regulation Change, at P.O. Box 110690, Juneau, AK 99811. Additionally, the Department of Health & Social Services will accept comments by facsimile at (907) 465-4108 and by electronic mail at alaskapioneerhomes@alaska.gov.  The comments must be received not later than 5:00 p.m. on June 28, 2019.

Oral or written comments also may be submitted at a hearing to be held on May 28, 2019. The hearing will be held at the six Pioneer Homes and telephonically. The hearing will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., and might be extended to accommodate those present before 2:30 p.m. who did not have an opportunity to comment. Those parties who would like to submit verbal comments at the hearing must be present by 2:30 p.m. and sign up before 2:30 p.m. via (1) the Pioneer Home from where they participate or (2) via email to alaskapioneerhomes@alaska.gov  if they choose to participate from a non-Pioneer Home location. To participate in the public hearing, please, go to one of the six Pioneer Homes or call 1-888-227-5857.

• Anchorage Pioneer Home, 923 W 11th Ave., Anchorage, AK 99501-4306

• Fairbanks Pioneer Home, 2221 Eagan Ave., Fairbanks, AK 99701-5709

• Juneau Pioneer Home, 4675 Glacier Hwy., Juneau, AK 99801-9518

• Ketchikan Pioneer Home, 141 Bryant St., Ketchikan, AK 99901-5534

• Alaska Veterans and Pioneers Home, 250 E Fireweed Ave., Palmer, AK 99645-6638

• Sitka Pioneer Home, 120 Katlian St., Sitka, AK 99835-7525

If you are a person with a disability who needs a special accommodation in order to participate in this process, please contact Ms. Emily Palmer, at emily.palmer@alaska.gov , or at (907) 465-2160 not later than May 15, 2019, 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 and by contacting Ms. Emily Palmer, at emily.palmer@alaska.gov , or at (907) 465-2160.

A copy of material proposed for adoption by reference may be viewed at the agency's office at 333 Willoughby Avenue, Suite 757, Juneau, AK 99801.

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. Written comments received are public records and are subject to public inspection.

Statutory authority: AS 47.55.010; AS 47.55.020; AS 47.55.030; AS 47.55.035; AS 47.55.070; AS 47.55.095.

Statutes being implemented, interpreted, or made specific: AS 47.55.010; AS 47.55.020; AS 47.55.030; AS 47.55.035; AS 47.55.070; AS 47.55.095.

Fiscal information: The proposed regulation changes are not expected to require an increased appropriation.

The Division of Alaska Pioneer Homes keeps a list of individuals and organizations interested in its regulations. Those on the list will automatically be sent a copy of all of the Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Alaska Pioneer Homes notices of proposed regulation changes. To be added to or removed from the list, send a request to the Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Alaska Pioneer Homes, RE- Regulation Change, at P.O. Box 110690, Juneau, AK 99811, or (907) 465-4416, giving your name, and either your e-mail address or mailing address, as you prefer for receiving notices.

DATE: April 9, 2019.
/s/Adam Crum
Commissioner,
Department of Health & Social Services