NOTICE OF PROPOSED CHANGES ON MEDICAID PAYMENT RATES, FEDERALLY QUALIFIED HEALTH CENTER (FQHC) PRODUCTIVITY STANDARDS & RATE SETTING IN THE REGULATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION The Department of Health proposes to change regulations on the Medicaid payment rates related to the productivity standards that are currently applied to federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) cost-based rate calculations. The productivity standards are proposed to be removed to align the department’s cost-based rate methodology with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) rate methodology for FQHC facilities. |
The Department of Health proposes to adopt regulation changes in Title 7 of the Alaska Administrative Code, on the Medicaid payment rates related to the productivity standards that are currently applied to federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) cost-based rate calculations, including the following:
- 7 AAC 145. Medicaid Payment Rates, is proposed to be changed as follows:
- 7 AAC 145.710. Calculating total health clinic visits, is proposed to be repealed and readopted to
- remove the productivity standards that are currently applied to FQHC cost-based rate calculations; and
- align the cost-based rate methodology with CMS’ rate methodology for FQHC facilities.
- 7 AAC 145.739. Definitions, is proposed to be changed as follows:
- Add a definition for the adjusted Medicare cost report.
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. Marcey Bish by electronic mail at marcey.bish@alaska.gov or mail at the State of Alaska, Department of Health, Office of Rate Review, Attention: Marcey Bish, 3601 C Street, Suite 902, Anchorage, AK 99503. The comments must be received not later than 5 p.m. on May 25, 2023.
You may submit written questions relevant to the proposed action to Ms. Marcey Bish by electronic mail at marcey.bish@alaska.gov or mail at State of Alaska, Department of Health, Office of Rate Review, Attention: Marcey Bish, 3601 C Street, Suite 902, 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.
You may provide oral comments relevant to the proposed action via telephone at the hearing to be held on May 8, 2023, by calling 1-(800)-315-6338, and using participant code 24471. There will not be in-person attendance provided at the hearing site, so please prepare to share your oral comments by telephone only. The hearing is scheduled from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and priority will be given to commenters on the line before the beginning of the hearing. The hearing may be extended to accommodate those on the line before 4:00 p.m. who did not have an opportunity to comment. Before the start of the hearing, Department of Health may limit the time allotted for each person providing oral testimony, as reasonably necessary to conclude the hearing in the time provided.
If you are a person with a disability who needs a special accommodation in order to participate in this process, please contact Ms. Marcey Bish by electronic mail at marcey.bish@alaska.gov or phone at (907) 444-9318 not later than May 1, 2023, 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. Marcey Bish at marcey.bish@alaska.gov or by phone at (907) 444-9318.
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 47.07.030; AS 47.07.040; AS 47.07.070; AS 47.07.073; AS 47.07.74.
Statutes being implemented, interpreted, or made specific: AS 47.05.010; AS 47.07.030; AS 47.07.040; AS 47.07.070; AS 47.07.073; AS 47.07.74.
Fiscal information (in thousands of dollars): It is estimated that the proposed regulation changes will require increased appropriations as follows: FY2024, $3,933.6; FY2025, $3,933.6; FY2026, $3,933.6.
The Department of Health, Office of Rate Review, keeps a list of individuals and organizations interested in its regulations. Those on the list will automatically be sent a copy of all the Department of Health, Office of Rate Review, notices of proposed regulation changes. To be added to or removed from the list, send a request to the Department of Health, Office of Rate Review at marcey.bish@alaska.gov , giving your name, and either your e-mail address or mailing address, as you prefer for receiving notices.
Individuals can also signup to receive automated notifications of all State of Alaska notices, including public notice for regulation changes, by subscribing to the Alaska Online Public Notices System: https://aws.state.ak.us/OnlinePublicNotices/Default.aspx.
DATE: April 6, 2023.
/s/Heidi Hedberg
Commissioner,
Department of Health
State of Alaska.