Reorganization of the Department of Health & Social Services

 
Agency Action: Amendment to the Title XIX Medicaid State PlanNotice is hereby given that the Department of Health and Social Services (the department, DHSS) intends to seek approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for an amendment to the Title XIX Medicaid State Plan (the state plan). The requested effective date for this amendment is July 1, 2022.Subject of Amendment:The forthcoming amendment implements the Department of Health and Social Services reorganization into two new departments – the Department of Health (DoH) and the Department of Family and Community Services (DFCS) – via Governor Mike Dunleavy’s executive order #121. With the (effective) approval of the 32
nd Legislature, the reorganization became law with a July 1, 2022, effective date.   The amendment intends to revise
existing state plan content in the section describing Medicaid administration to align with the planned reorganization. The revised content reflects the new DoH,

consisting of the Divisions of Behavioral Health, Health Care Services, Senior and Disabilities Services, Public Assistance, and Public Health, overseen and supported by the Office of the Commissioner. Notably, the forthcoming amendment specifies that the DoH assumes from DHSS the role of the single state agency for Medicaid. The amendment reflects that the responsibilities or functioning of any divisions or units transferred to the DoH from DHSS remain the same.Those seeking additional information on the reorganization can find it on the
DHSS Reorganization webpage. EPSDT and ARRA/Tribal Consultation:The proposed amendments do not affect how Alaska Medicaid provides or reimburses Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment (EPSDT) services. The department followed the tribal consultation process established under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) and set forth in its approved state plan. Public Comments:The department offers a public comment period relative to this amendment until 5:00 PM on May 31, 2022. Individuals may submit written comments via email to
courtney.king@alaska.gov. Please submit electronic comments as an attached word document or text within the email body with “DHSS reorganization” 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 needs a special accommodation(s) to participate in this process, please contact Laura Russell at
laura.russell@alaska.gov or (907)269-7801 not later than April 21, 2022, 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:DHSS/DoH Commissioner’s OfficeCourtney O’Byrne King3601 C Street, Suite 902Anchorage, AK 99503