Abbreviated Public Notice
This abbreviated public notice provides information regarding the State of Alaska Department of Health (DOH) seeking public comments on a Section 1115 Behavioral Health Demonstration Waiver (the SUD-BHP Demonstration) extension application. The Demonstration was designed to centralize Alaska’s behavioral health system under a sustainable financing model to ensure access to the full continuum of behavioral health and SUD services. The initial waiver authorized 25 services, including residential and inpatient treatment in Institutions for Mental Diseases (IMDs), with emphasis on early interventions, a crisis services infrastructure, community-based outpatient services, residential treatment when appropriate, and enhanced community recovery supports. Alaska is seeking an extension of the Demonstration to continue the progress made under the program as currently authorized. Current beneficiaries will maintain existing access to services. Through the approval of this renewal request, Alaska proposes to update the 1115 Demonstration name from the current Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Behavioral Health Program (SUD-BHP) title to the Behavioral Health Reform Waiver, with the broader behavioral health term encompassing both mental health and substance use disorder and reflecting Alaska’s ongoing commitment to program reform and system transformation.
The proposed Demonstration extension application and full public notice are available at https://health.alaska.gov/dbh/Pages/1115/default.aspx. Interested persons should submit comments to DOH on the proposed extension during the public comment period beginning January 9, 2023 and ending February 8, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. AKST. Written comments on the proposed can be submitted via three channels:
- Email to doh.dbh.public.comments@alaska.gov, referencing “1115 Renewal” in the subject line
- Electronic submission through the Alaska Online Public Notices System located at https://aws.state.ak.us/OnlinePublicNotices/ and using the “Leave a Comment” link
- U.S. Mail to:
Alaska Department of Health, Division of Behavioral Health
Re: 1115 Waiver Renewal Application Comments
3601 C Street, Suite 878
Anchorage, Alaska 99503
The state will hold two public hearings for interest parties to learn more about the waiver renewal application, ask questions, and provide public comments. The public hearings will be held virtually at the following dates, times, and locations. Individuals with disabilities who require special accommodations in order to attend these public meetings, should contact Heather Phelps at (907) 269-3616 or email at heather.phelps@alaska.gov to ensure that any necessary accommodations can be provided.