NOTICE OF PROPOSED CHANGES ON MEDICAID COVERAGE & BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES PSYCHOTHERAPY LIMIT IN THE REGULATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION The Department of Health proposes to change regulations on Medicaid coverage related to the behavioral health services psychotherapy limit. |
The Department of Health proposes to adopt regulation changes in Title 7 of the Alaska Administrative Code, dealing with Medicaid coverage related to the behavioral health services psychotherapy limit, including the following:
- 7 AAC 110. Medicaid Coverage; Professional Services, is proposed to be changes as follows:
- Increase psychotherapy limit to align with the state plan.
- 7 AAC 135. Medicaid Coverage; Behavioral Health Services, is proposed to be changed as follows:
- Amend language to reclassify crisis intervention as a clinical and rehabilitation code.
- Add psychotherapy crisis intervention services.
- Amend information related to a crisis stabilization plan and state fiscal year limit.
- Add information related to documentation requirements and the electronic health record for crisis services.
- 7 AAC 160. Medicaid Program; General Provisions, is proposed to be changed as follows:
- Amend pertinent adopted by reference chart and fee schedules.
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. Heather Phelps, State of Alaska, Department of Health, Division of Behavioral Health, 3601 C Street, Suite 934, Anchorage, AK 99503. Additionally, the Department of Health will accept comments by electronic mail at heather.phelps@alaska.gov . The comments must be received not later than 5 p.m. on September 13, 2022.
You may provide oral comments relevant to the proposed action via telephone at the hearing to be held on August 31, 2022, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., by calling 1-800-315-6338, and using the participant access code number 26776. Please note that in-person attendance will not be permitted at the hearing site because of the public health and safety concerns associated with the COVID – 19 pandemic. Please prepare to share your oral comments by telephone only. If you call to provide oral testimony, you should be on the line before the hearing begins at 11 a.m. The Department of Health will give priority to those who call in before 1:30 p.m. The Department of Health may, before the hearing begins, limit the time allotted for each person providing oral testimony. The time limit may be necessary to conclude the hearing in the time provided.
You may submit written questions relevant to the proposed action to Ms. Heather Phelps, by electronic mail at heather.phelps@alaska.gov , or at the State of Alaska, Department of Health, Division of Behavioral Health, 3601 C Street, Suite 934, Anchorage, AK 99503. The questions must be received at least 10 days before the end of the public comment period. The Department of Health 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. Heather Phelps at (907) 269-3616 not later than August 23, 2022, 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 and by contacting Ms. Heather Phelps by e-mail at heather.phelps@alaska.gov , or by telephone at (907) 269-3616.
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, Division of Behavioral Health, 3601 C Street, Suite 934, Anchorage, AK 99503.
After the public comment period ends, the Department of Health 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 47.07.030; AS 47.07.040; AS 47.07.085.
Statutes being implemented, interpreted, or made specific: AS 47.05.010; AS 47.05.012; AS 47.07.030; AS 47.07.040; AS 47.07.085.
Fiscal information: The proposed regulation changes are not expected to require an increased appropriation.
The Division of Behavioral Health/Department of Health (DOH) keeps a list of individuals and organizations interested in its regulations. Those on the list will automatically be sent a copy of all the Division of Behavioral Health/DOH notices of proposed regulation changes. To be added to or removed from the list, send a request to the Division of Behavioral Health/DOH at heather.phelps@alaska.gov , giving your name, and either your e-mail address or mailing address, as you prefer for receiving notices.
DATE: July 19, 2022.
/s/Adam Crum
Commissioner,
Department of Health
State of Alaska.