Notice of Proposed Regulations

NOTICE OF PROPOSED CHANGES ON FEES FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT AND SERVICES IN THE REGULATIONS OF THE ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND THE ALASKA WORKERS’ COMPENSATION BOARDBRIEF DESCRIPTIONThe Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development and the Alaska Workers’ Compensation Board proposes to change regulations on fees for medical treatment and services.The Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development and the Alaska Workers’ Compensation Board proposes to adopt regulation changes in 8 AAC 45 of the Alaska Administrative Code, dealing with fees for medical treatment and services, including the following: 8 AAC 45.083 is proposed to be amended to update and clarify the medical fee schedule and material adopted by reference for treatment and services provided to injured workers.You may comment on the proposed regulation changes, including the potential costs to private persons of complying with the proposed changes, by submitting written comments to the

Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Division of Workers’ Compensation at P.O. Box 115512, Juneau, AK 99811-5512. Additionally, the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Division of Workers’ Compensation will accept comments by facsimile at (907) 465-2797 and by electronic mail at workerscomp@alaska.gov. Comments may also be submitted through the Alaska Online Public Notice System by accessing this notice on the system and using the comment link. The comments must be received not later than 5:00 p.m. on October 11, 2023.Oral or written comments also may be submitted at a hearing to be held on October 12, 2023, at 3301 Eagle St., Room 208, Anchorage, Alaska 99503. Oral comments may be submitted virtually over Zoom videoconference at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87057211027, or via telephone by calling 833-548-0276, Webinar ID: 870 5721 1027. The hearing will be held from 10:15 to 11:15 and might be extended to accommodate those present before 10:15 who did not have an opportunity to comment. Before the start of the hearing, Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Division of Workers’ Compensation Chair of the Board 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 the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Division of Workers’ Compensation at P.O. Box 115512, Juneau, AK 99811-5512 or by electronic mail at workerscomp@alaska.gov. The questions must be received at least 10 days before the end of the public comment period. The Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Division of Workers’ Compensation will aggregate its response to substantially similar questions and make the questions and responses available on the Alaska Online Public Notice System and Division of Workers’ Compensation website.If you are a person with a disability who needs a special accommodation in order to participate in this process, please contact Alexis Hildebrand at (907) 465-6059 or alexis.hildebrand@alaska.gov not later than September 28, 2023, 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 Alexis Hildebrand at (907) 465-6059 or alexis.hildebrand@alaska.gov.A copy of the Alaska Workers’ Compensation Medical Fee Schedule material proposed for adoption by reference is available on the Alaska Online Public Notice System. A copy of the Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System material proposed for adoption by reference may be viewed at the agency's office at 1111 W. 8th Street, Juneau, AK 99811.After the public comment period ends, the Department of Labor and Workforce Development and the Alaska Workers’ Compensation Board 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 23.30.005; AS 23.30.097; AS 23.30.098Statutes being implemented, interpreted, or made specific: AS 23.30.097; AS 23.30.098Fiscal information: The proposed regulation changes are not expected to require an increased appropriation.The Division of Workers’ Compensation keeps a list of individuals and organizations interested in its regulations. Those on the list will automatically be sent a copy of all of the Alaska Workers’ Compensation Board notices of proposed regulation changes. To be added to or removed from the list, send a request to the Division of Workers’ Compensation at P.O. Box 115512, Juneau, AK 99811-5512 or by electronic mail at workerscomp@alaska.gov, giving your name, and either your e-mail address or mailing address, as you prefer for receiving notices.Individuals can also signup to receive automated notifications of all State of Alaska notices, including public notice for regulation changes, by subscribing to the Alaska Online Public Notices System: https://aws.state.ak.us/OnlinePublicNotices/Default.aspx