NOTICE OF PROPOSED CHANGES ON MEDICAID VACCINE COVERAGE & PAYMENT 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 and payment for vaccines, including the following:

• 7 AAC 110. Medicaid Coverage; Professional Services; 7 AAC 120. Medicaid Coverage; Prescription Drugs and Medical Supplies; Durable Medical Equipment; Transportation Services. 7 AAC 145. Medicaid Payment Rates, are proposed to be changed as follows:
  • Amend coverage related to medically necessary vaccine products.
  • Amend payment related to vaccine products for international travel and pre-exposure rabies products.
  • Adopt new professional payment methodology for vaccine products.
  • Adopt new professional payment methodology for vaccine administration by a pharmacist.

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 Miller Dunkin at the Department of Health & Social Services, Division of Health Care Services, 4501 Business Park Blvd., Building L, Attention: Susan Miler 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 September 4, 2020.

You may submit written questions relevant to the proposed action to Ms. Susan Miller 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 Miller 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 Miller Dunkin at susan.dunkin@alaska.gov or at (907) 269-3638 not later than August 25, 2020, 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 Miller 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.

Statutory authority: AS 47.05.010; AS 47.07.030; AS 47.07.040.

Statutes being implemented, interpreted, or made specific: AS 47.05.010; 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: July 22, 2020.
/s/Adam Crum,
Commissioner,
Department of Health & Social Services.