Agency Action: Amendments to the Title XIX Medicaid State Plan and, by Association, the Alternative Benefit Plan
Pursuant to 42 CFR §§ 440.386 and 447.205, notice is hereby given that the Department of Health (the department) intends to seek approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for amendments to the Alternative Benefit Plan (ABP) authorized under § 1937 of the Social Security Act for individuals 19 to 64 years of age who are eligible pursuant to § 1902(a) (10)(A)((i)(VIII) of the Social Security Act – the expansion population – and the Title XIX Medicaid State Plan (the state plan).
Subject of Amendments: Extension of Medicaid postpartum coverage and a new pregnant women eligibility group.
- The department intends to submit a Medicaid state plan amendment (SPA) to extend Medicaid postpartum coverage period from 60 days to 12 months for individuals who are eligible for and enrolled in Medicaid during their pregnancy.
- Add an optional Medicaid eligibility category for pregnant women with countable income between 201%-225% of the federal poverty limit (FPL).
EPSDT and ARRA/Tribal Consultation:
The proposed amendments will not affect how Alaska Medicaid provides or reimburses Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment (EPSDT) services. The department follows the tribal consultation process established under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 and set forth in its approved state plan.
Public Comments:
The department is holding a public comment period relative to this amendment until 5 PM on November 27, 2023. Individuals may submit written comments via email to emily.beaulieu@alaska.gov. Please submit electronic comments as an attached word document or text within the email body with the phrase “Postpartum Extension” in the subject line. All submissions must include the sender’s full name and email address.
If you are a person with a disability needing special accommodation(s) to participate in this process, please contact Emily Beaulieu at emily.beaulieu@alaska.gov or (907)538-7665 not later than November 10, 2023, to ensure the provision of these accommodations.
Individuals unable to submit comments by email should submit written comments by the close of the comment period to:
Emily Beaulieu
c/o DoH – Commissioner’s Office
3601 C Street, Suite 902
Anchorage, AK 99503