NOTICE OF PROPOSED CHANGES ON BEHAVIORAL HEALTH MEDICAID SERVICES TRANSITION IN THE REGULATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION The Department of Health & Social Services proposes to change regulations on behavioral health Medicaid services to comply with the state’s corrective action plan with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The plan includes the repeal of specific rehabilitative services from current regulations and transition to 1115 waiver services. |
The Department of Health & Social Services proposes to adopt regulation changes in Title 7 of the Alaska Administrative Code, dealing with behavioral health Medicaid services, including the following:
- 7 AAC 135. Medicaid Coverage; Behavioral Health Services; 7 AAC 138. 1115 Substance Use Disorder Waiver Services; 7 AAC 139. Behavioral Health 1115 Waiver Services; 7 AAC 160. Medicaid Program; General Provisions, are proposed to be changed as follows:
- Amend and repeal regulations to comply with the state’s corrective action plan with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The plan includes the repeal of specific rehabilitative services from current regulations and transition to 1115 waiver services.
You may comment on the regulation changes, including the potential costs to private persons of complying with the changes, by submitting written comments to Ms. Allison Weeks, State of Alaska, Division of Behavioral Health, 3601 C Street, Suite 878, Anchorage, AK 99503. Additionally, the Department of Health & Social Services will accept comments by electronic mail at allison.weeks@alaska.gov . The comments must be received not later than 5 p.m. on April 22, 2021.
You may submit written questions relevant to the proposed action to Ms. Allison Weeks, by electronic mail at allison.weeks@alaska.gov or at the State of Alaska, Department of Health & Social Services, Division of Behavioral Health, 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 to participate in this process, please contact Ms. Allison Weeks at (907) 385-8312 not later than April 13, 2021, to ensure that any necessary accommodation can be provided.
A copy of the proposed regulation changes is available on the Alaska Online Public Notice System at https://aws.state.ak.us/OnlinePublicNotices/Default.aspx and by contacting Ms. Allison Weeks at allison.weeks@alaska.gov or at (907) 385-8312.
A copy of material proposed for adoption by reference is available on the Alaska Online Public Notice System and may be viewed at the agency's office at the State of Alaska, 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 Service 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 47.05.012; AS 47.05.270; AS 47.07.030; AS 47.07.036; AS 47.07.040.
Statutes being implemented, interpreted, or made specific: AS 47.05.010; AS 47.05.012; AS 47.05.270; AS 47.07.030; AS 47.07.036; AS 47.07.040.
Fiscal information: The proposed regulation changes are not expected to require an increased appropriation.
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, or to Ms. Allison Weeks at allison.weeks@alaska.gov , giving your name, and either your e-mail address or mailing address, as you prefer for receiving notices.
DATE: March 12, 2021.
/s/Adam Crum
Commissioner,
Department of Health & Social Services
State of Alaska.