The Department of Health, Division of Senior & Disabilities Services (SDS) is requesting comment from recipients, waiver service providers, and other stakeholders on the proposed renewal of four of Alaska’s 1915(c) home and community-based service waivers before they are submitted to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

The following waivers are being renewed:

1.         People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD)

2.         Alaskans Living Independently (ALI)

3.         Adults with Physical and Developmental Disabilities (APDD)

4.         Children with Complex Medical Conditions (CCMC)

The current cycle for the four waivers being renewed expires on June 30, 2026. The waivers are being renewed for a five-year cycle, effective July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2031.

The proposed renewals have been reorganized and re-written to make it easier for stakeholders to read, find, and understand the contents of the waivers. The state’s processes have stayed the same, aside from the changes listed below. This list of changes can be found in the Major Changes section in each of the waiver renewal applications.

The proposed renewal changes are:

• Appendix A:
  • Replaced A.a.1 performance measure with new measure reflecting the administrative authority of the Single State Medicaid Agency by the Quality Improvement Steering Committee (QISC) and meeting frequency;
• Appendix B:
  • For the ALI and APDD waivers, described the state’s process to transition from the Consumer Assessment Tool (CAT) to the Alaska interRAI Home Care Tool (interRAI);
• Appendix C:
  • Changed Adult Host Home name to match statutory name: Host Home Care Service;
  • Added Host Care Home license as a type of Respite service provider;
  • Clarified which services can be provided by a legally responsible individual or relative;
  • Updated Environmental Modification service limits on amount, frequency, or duration;
  • Updated Performance Measures C.a.1 and C.a.2 to remove “licensure” and insert “enrollment” to reflect current practices;
• Appendix F:
  • Updated grievance policy to comply with Federal Access Rule;
• Appendix G:
  • Changed the name of “behavioral support plan” to “restrictive intervention plan” to allow for inclusion of modifications to the settings rule;
  • Added information for medication management in licensed foster homes;
  • Revised performance measure G.c.7 to measure restrictive interventions that followed state regulations;
  • Revised performance measure G.d.9 to measure waiver participants’ receiving education on available preventative care services;
  • Removed performance measure G.d.10;
• Appendix H:
  • Additional task committees listed; and
• Appendix I:
  • Updated to include all audits performed by the state.

SDS will accept public comment on the proposed renewals until 5:00 pm on January 30, 2026. Please send written comments to Jordyn Grant at jordyn.grant@alaska.gov or at 1835 Bragaw Street Suite 350, Anchorage, AK 99508.

Once the comments have been reviewed and necessary changes are incorporated into the proposed waivers, SDS will submit the waiver renewals to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) on or before March 31, 2026.  

If you need accommodation in order to review the proposed waiver amendments, please contact Jordyn Grant at jordyn.grant@alaska.gov.