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 Amendment(s):

The department intends to submit a SPA (and partner Alternative Benefit Plan amendment) for two changes.

The first is to allow more than the currently listed advisory body related to vaccines to allow for provider-family choice in administering vaccinations. Currently, the state plan lists the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) as the sole source of immunization guidance. This SPA will broaden the guidance to include other governing bodies or professional organizations that provides evidence-based recommendations for vaccine administration.

Secondly, the SPA will cover select prescribed drugs that are not covered outpatient drugs (including drugs authorized for import by the Food and Drug Administration) are also covered when medically necessary during drug shortages identified by the Food and Drug Administration.

Financial impact:

There is no anticipated increased financial impact for this SPA.

EPSDT and ARRA/Tribal Consultation:

The proposed amendments will not affect how Alaska Medicaid provides or reimburses EPSDT services. The department followed 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 these amendments until 5 PM on February 25, 2026. Individuals may submit written comments via email to christal.hays@alaska.gov. Please submit electronic comments as an attached word document or text within the email body with the phrase “Vaccine Coverage & Drug Shortage” in the subject line. All submissions must include the sender’s full name and email address.

If you are a person with a disability who requires a special accommodation to participate in this process, please contact Christal Hays at christal.hays@alaska.gov or (907) 891-4830 not later than February 10, 2026, to ensure the provision of any necessary accommodations.

Individuals unable to submit comments by email should submit written comments by the close of the comment period to:

DOH Commissioner’s Office

c/o Christal Hays

3601 C Street, Suite 902

Anchorage, AK 99503