Communications from the
Division of Behavioral Health
The Department is pleased to announce the First responder crisis call line, AK Responders Relief Line, went LIVE May 5. The call line functions as a crisis counseling and general support line for healthcare and behavioral professionals impacted by COVID personally and professionally. Staff supporting the call line recognize callers are often first responders and the service is designed to allows callers to openly express their experiences and feelings serving Alaskans impacted by COVID. The call line is specifically designed to support first responders experiencing a myriad of behavioral health issues including crisis, anxiety, isolation and depression. When callers engage the anonymous call line, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, they will be greeted by a trained professional providing empathetic and nonjudgmental support. When requested, staff supporting the call line will provide a warm handoff to a local Alaska behavioral health professional for ongoing support. All staff supporting the call line are trained in assessing for suicide risk.
The crisis call line is also available to immediate family members of first responders who may need help for a variety of behavioral health issues, and hard to label emotions, as a result of their loved one engaging on the front lines.
Emergent Behavioral Health Communications:
Below, please find information and updates related to the current Declaration of Emergency, in the state of Alaska, as it pertains to the Division of Behavioral Health. The information on this site applies only to behavioral health services and providers. For information regarding other Medicaid services, visit Alaska Medicaid Health Enterprise.
During the state of emergency the division will frequently update information on this page to ensure the most accurate and timely communication with our providers. Communications below are unrelated to the 1115 Demonstration waiver.
- Updated information on Children's Residential Level I and II 1115 Medicaid Services - March 25, 2021
- Acute Psychiatric, Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities (PRTF), and Behavioral Health Aide (BHA) providers postponed transition from Conduent to Optum - March 24, 2021
- State of Alaska's Declaration of Public Health Disaster Emergency expired 2/14/2021
- DBH COVID Guidance Document #5 - COVID-19 Provider Operation - Replaces April 10, 2020 - v1.2 updated September 23, 2020
- Telemedicine Emergency Response Guidance - September 23, 2020 - Replaces July 8, 2020
- Telemedicine Emergency Response Policy Guidance - July 8, 2020 - Updated - Replaces March 23, 2020
Acute Psychiatric, Behavioral Rehabilitation Services (BRS) and Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility (PRTF) services with Conduent - June 11, 2020
Autism Services Instructions for transition from Conduent to Optum - June 11, 2020
Community Behavioral Health Services - State Plan Services Instructions for transition for Conduent to Optum - June 11, 2020
- DBH COVID Guidance Document #6 - Service Authorization - June 3, 2020 - Update - Replaces #4
- Interim Guidance on SARS-CoV-2 Testing for Asymptomatic Residents Being Admitted to Congregate Living Facilities - April 29, 2020
- DBH COVID Guidance #2.1 - Medically Necessary Travel - April 23, 2020
- COVID 19 Topics for Provider Call Monday April 20, 2020 - Updated Call for 4/27/2020 - April 20,2020
- Helpful resources for face mask use April 20, 2020
- COVID 19 Topics for Provider Call Monday April 20, 2020 - April 20, 2020
- DBH COVID Guidance Document #5 - COVID-19 Provider Operations - April 10, 2020
- DBH COVID Guidance Document #4 - Service Authorization Update - April 7, 2020 - Update - Replaces #3
- PPE request process - April, 3, 2020
- DBH COVID Guidance Document #3 - Service Authorization Disaster Order #2 - April 2, 2020 - Update - Replaced by #4
- DBH COVID Guidance Document #2 - Medically Necessary Travel - April 2, 2020
- Telehealth Guidance Start Date - March 23, 2020
- DBH COVID Guidance Document #1 - DBH Expanded Telehealth Service - March 20, 2020
- Services Allowed via Telehealth - March 17, 2020