NOTICE OF PROPOSED CHANGES ON MEDICAID PAYMENT RATES FOR COMMUNITY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH & MENTAL HEALTH PHYSICIAN CLINIC SERVICES IN THE REGULATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION The Department of Health proposes to change regulations on Medicaid payment rates related to community behavioral health and mental health physician clinic services. |
The Department of Health proposes to adopt regulation changes in Title 7 of the Alaska Administrative Code, dealing with Medicaid payment rates related to community behavioral health and mental health physician clinic services, including the following:
7 AAC 145. Medicaid Payment Rates, specifically, 7 AAC 145.580. Behavioral health services payment rates, is proposed to be changed as follows:
- Update the data sources used to calculate rate adjustments.
- Revise language for rate changes.
7 AAC 160. Medicaid Program; General Provisions, specifically, 7 AAC 160.900. Requirements adopted by reference, is proposed to be changed as follows:
- Amend to include an updated version of a department document adopted by reference, the Chart of Community Behavioral Health and Mental Health Physician Clinic Medicaid Covered Services Rates.
You may comment on the regulation changes, including the potential costs to private persons of complying with the changes, by submitting written comments to Mr. William Hurr, 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 doh.dbh.public.comments@alaska.gov . The comments must be received not later than 5 p.m. on October 16, 2024.
You may provide oral comments relevant to the proposed action by telephone or online at the hearing to be held on October 10, 2024, on Zoom. You may join the online Zoom meeting by using the Zoom website link, or by calling the toll-free telephone number, using the meeting ID, and passcode.
- The details for the Zoom meeting are as follows:
- If you want to use the telephone to attend the meeting and provide oral comments, please use the
- Zoom Call-in Toll-free Number: 1-888-788-0099 (US Toll-free); Meeting ID: 896 2749 8158; and Passcode: 787873.
- If you want to use the Zoom website link to attend the meeting and provide oral comments, please use the
There will not be in-person attendance provided at the hearing site, so please prepare to share your oral comments by telephone or online. The hearing is scheduled from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 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 12:30 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.
You may submit written questions relevant to the proposed action to Mr. William Hurr, by electronic mail at doh.dbh.public.comments@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 Mr. William Hurr by electronic mail at doh.dbh.public.comments@alaska.gov , or by telephone at (907) 269-6549 not later than October 3, 2024, 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 Mr. William Hurr by e-mail at doh.dbh.public.comments@alaska.gov , or by telephone at (907) 269-6549.
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 (in thousands of dollars): It is estimated that the proposed regulation changes will require increased appropriations as follows: FY2025, $11,624.7; FY2026, $11,624.7; FY2027, $11,624.7.
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 doh.dbh.public.comments@alaska.gov , giving your name, and either your e-mail address or mailing address, as you prefer for receiving notices.
DATE: August 26, 2024.
/s/Heidi Hedberg
Commissioner,
Department of Health
State of Alaska.