NOTICE OF PROPOSED CHANGES ON MEDICAID COVERAGE, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES, REVISED REQUIREMENTS FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROVIDERS, IN THE REGULATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES.
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION The Department of Health & Social Services proposes to change regulations on the Medicaid coverage for behavioral health services dealing with behavioral health provider requirements. |
The Department of Health & Social Services proposes to adopt regulation changes in Title 7 of the Alaska Administrative Code, dealing with Medicaid coverage for behavioral health services dealing with behavioral health provider requirements including the following:
7 AAC 70, 78, 105, 110, 135, & 160, are proposed to be changed as follows:
- Add requirements for (i) non-grantee providers of behavioral health services; (ii) individuals licensed under AS 08 to provide behavioral health services; and (iii) treatment referrals from the Alcohol Safety and Action Program (ASAP);
- Add new service criteria for (i) providing residential substance use disorder services and alcohol and drug withdrawal management services; (ii) screening and brief intervention services;
- Add a new definition for a substance use disorder counselor.
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 Mr. Rick Calcote, at 3601 C Street, Suite 878, Anchorage, AK 99503. Additionally, the Department of Health & Social Services will accept comments by facsimile at (907) 269-3623 and by electronic mail at hss.dbh.publiccomments@alaska.gov . The comments must be received not later than 5 p.m. on July 29, 2019.
Oral or written comments also may be submitted at a hearing to be held on June 11, 2019, at Conference Room 880, 3601 C Street, Anchorage, AK 99503. The hearing will be held from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and might be extended to accommodate those present before 4:00 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 (800) 315-6338 (Toll Free) and use the code 36171#.
You may submit written questions relevant to the proposed action to Mr. Rick Calcote, at rick.calcote@alaska.gov, 3601 C Street, Suite 878, Anchorage, AK 99503. 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 responses available on the Alaska Online Public Notice System.
If you are a person with a disability who needs a special accommodation in order to participate in this process, please contact Mr. Rick Calcote at rick.calcote@alaska.gov or at (907) 269-3617 later than June 4, 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 Mr. Rick Calcote at rick.calcote@alaska.gov , or at (907) 269-3617.
A copy of material proposed for adoption by reference may be viewed at the agency's office at the Department of Health & Social Services, Division of Behavioral Health, 3601 C Street, Suite 878, Anchorage, AK 99503.
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 18.05.040; AS 18.08.010; AS 18.08.080; AS 18.25.100; AS 18.28.010; AS 18.28.050; AS 29.60.600; AS 44.29.020; AS 47.05.010; AS 47.07.030; AS 47.07.040; AS 47.07.055; AS 47.30.470; AS 47.30.475; AS 47.30.477; AS 47.30.530; AS 47.30.540; AS 47.30.570; AS 47.37.130; AS 27.37.140.
Statutes being implemented, interpreted, or made specific: AS 18.05.040; AS 18.08.010; AS 18.08.080; AS 18.25.100; AS 18.28.010; AS 18.28.050; AS 29.60.600; AS 44.29.020; AS 47.05.010; AS 47.07.030; AS 47.07.040; AS 47.07.055; AS 47.30.470; AS 47.30.475; AS 47.30.477; AS 47.30.530; AS 47.30.540; AS 47.30.570; AS 47.37.130; AS 27.37.140.
Fiscal information: It is estimated that the proposed regulation changes will require increased appropriations (in thousands of dollars) as follows: FY2020, $1,965; FY2021, $1,965.
The Division of Behavioral Health/Department of Health & Social Services 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 Division of Behavioral Health/Department of Health & Social Services notices of proposed regulation changes. To be added to or removed from the list, send a request to the Division of Behavioral Health/Department of Health & Social Services at 3601 C Street, Suite 878, Anchorage, AK 99503, giving your name, and either your e-mail address or mailing address, as you prefer for receiving notices.
DATE: May 13, 2019
/s/Adam Crum
Commissioner,
Department of Health & Social Services