NOTICE OF PROPOSED CHANGES ON MEDICAID COVERAGE TRANSPORTATION & ACCOMMODATION SERVICES 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 Medicaid coverage for transportation and accommodation services, including the following:

• 7 AAC 120 is proposed to be changed as follows:
  • Clarify reimbursement for meal expenses.
  • Amend department approval language regarding nonemergency transportation when prior authorization and other requirements are met.
  • Add cancellation, missed flight, and rescheduled travel requirements.
  • Clarify accommodation services authorization requirements.
  • Amend travel escort requirements to allow the department to deny approval of an individual to serve as escort in certain circumstances.

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 Ms. Susan Dunkin at the Department of Health & Social Services, Division of Health Care Services, 4501 Business Park Blvd., Building L, Attention: Susan Dunkin, Anchorage, AK 99503. Additionally, the Department of Health & Social Services will accept comments by electronic mail at susan.dunkin@alaska.gov . The comments must be received not later than 5 p.m. on October 18, 2019.

You may submit written questions relevant to the proposed action to Ms. Susan Dunkin by e-mail at susan.dunkin@alaska.gov or at the Department of Health & Social Services, Division of Health Care Services, 4501 Business Park Blvd., Building L, Attention: Susan Dunkin, 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 and agency website at http://www.dhss.alaska.gov/dhcs/Pages/default.aspx .

If you are a person with a disability who needs a special accommodation in order to participate in this process, please contact Ms. Susan Dunkin at susan.dunkin@alaska.gov or at (907) 269-3638 not later than October 7, 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. Susan Dunkin at susan.dunkin@alaska.gov or by telephone at (907) 269-3638.

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 47.05.010; AS 47.05.012; AS 47.07.030; AS 47.07.040.

Statutes being implemented, interpreted, or made specific: AS 47.05.010; AS 47.05.012; AS 47.07.030; AS 47.07.040.

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

The Department of Health & Social Services, Division of Health Care 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 Department of Health & Social Services, Division of Health Care Services, notices of proposed regulation changes. To be added to or removed from the list, send a request to the Department of Health & Social Services, Division of Health Care Services at susan.dunkin@alaska.gov , giving your name, and either your e-mail address or mailing address, as you prefer for receiving notices.

DATE: August 29, 2019.
/s/Adam Crum
Commissioner,
Department of Health & Social Services .