Agency Action: Amendments to the Title XIX Medicaid State Plan

The Department of Health (DOH) hereby gives notices its intent to seek approval from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) of a state plan amendment with a July 1, 2026 effective date.

Subject of Amendment(s):

The department intends to submit a SPA to change the Wholesale Acquisition Cost (WAC) for drugs dispensed from an out-of-state pharmacy from +1% to -2%.

This change will result in cost-savings to the Alaska Medicaid program for specialty drugs dispensed by an out-of-state pharmacy.

Financial impact:

There is no anticipated increased financial impact for this SPA. There is an anticipated cost-savings of $1.5m in 2026 and 2027.

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 xxx. 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 “WAC SPA” 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 Monday, March 30, 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