• Treatment & Recovery Section
• Division of Public Health

Questions regarding the 1135 should be addressed to MPASSUNIT@alaska.gov

Communications from the Division of Behavioral Health during the Declaration of Emergency

Below, please find information and updates related to the Declaration of Emergency, in the state of Alaska, as it pertained 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 frequently updated information on this page to ensure the most accurate and timely communication with our providers. Communications below are unrelated to the 1115 Demonstration waiver.

• PHE Extension — October 14, 2022
• Medicaid Billing and Clinical Documentation Planning and Procurement Project Application Selection Process — May 26, 2022
• DBH SFY 2022 Guidance Document #7 – Telehealth Services Using Modifier FQ AMENDED — April 25, 2022
• Tribal Encounter Rate CY2022 — April 22, 2022
• Provider Self-Audits Due December 31, 2022 — April 19, 2022
• DBH SFY2022 Guidance Document 8 – Contraindicated Services — April 14, 2022
• Guidance Document #8 DBH SFY2022 Guidance Document 8 – Contraindicated Services — April 14, 2022
• Guidance Document #7 Telehealth Services Using Modifier FQ — April 11, 2022
• Renewal of Determination That A Public Health Emergency Exists — April 13, 2022
• AKAIMS March Update – Minimal Data Set Reduced Obligation Extension — March 3, 2021
• Autism Provider Certification Requirements — March 2, 2022
• Reporting of telehealth services effective 4/1/2022 — March 1, 2022
• SOA Div of Finance system conversion and DBH — February 7, 2022
• CMS Guidance for Staff Vaccination January 20, 2022
• Minimal Data Set and ISA Note Extension 11/24/2021 — December 24, 2021
• AKAIMS December Update – Minimal Data Set and Clinical Records Billing Information — December 10, 2021
• Survey and Enforcement of the Vaccine Requirement Suspended While Court Ordered Injunctions are in Effect — December 3, 2021
• CMS Vaccine Mandate — November 29, 2021
• SFY 2022 - DBH Guidance Document #5 - Expiration of AKASIM Flexibilities Related to Cyberattack — November 10, 2021
• AKAIMS Status Update — November 5, 2021
• Clinic Four Walls — November 5, 2021
• Updated Minimal Data Set Documentation Expectations for AKAIMS — October 27, 2021
• Oral Medication Administration Services – Connection — October 15, 2021
• Oral Medication Administration Services — October 15, 2021
• PHE extended — October 15, 2021
• Department of Health and Social Services Press Release titled, “Cyberattack on DHSS website includes HIPAA and APIPA breach” — September 17, 2021
• Documentation Expectations and Guidance for AKAIMS — September 9, 2021
• SFY 2022 DBH Guidance Document #2 – AKAIMS Flexibilities — CORRECTED September 8, 2021
• SFY 2022 DBH Guidance Document #2 – AKAIMS Flexibilities — September 3, 2021
• Provider Agency Department Approval Renewal Reminders — August 18, 2021
• E-Alert for SDS and Residential Licensing – August 6, 2021 — August 9, 2021
• Alaska State Public Health Disaster Declaration Ends November 1, 2021 — July 30, 2021
• Background Check Program Resumes Pre-COVID-19 Fingerprint Requirement as of August 1, 2021 — July 21, 2021
• ISA Provider Memo, billing sheet form, and rates sheets — July 16, 2021
• AKAIMS Guidance Update 6/23/2021 — June 23, 2021
• Rendering provider – DBH SFY 2021 Guidance Document #3 — June 21, 2021
• Concurrent services document – DBH SFY 2021 Guidance Document #2 — June 21, 2021
• Provider Checklist Level of Care Service Component Review — June 21, 2021
• AKAIMS Guidance Update 6-9-2021 — June 9, 2021
• MD/DO requirements for Mental Health — June 7, 2021
• Department of Health and Social Service is presently combating a cyberattack - AKAIMS Update — June 2, 2021
• Notification – Federal Agencies — May 21, 2021
• Our Website is Down but Don't Let That Keep You Down — May 21, 2021
• AKAIMS Agencies — May 21, 2021
• NOTICE FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES to our Providers and Vendors — May 20, 2021
• Department of Health and Social Service is presently combating a cyberattack - AKAIMS forms — May 19, 2021
• Department of Health and Social Service is presently combating a cyberattack — May 19, 2021
• Department of Health and Social Service is presently combating a cyberattack — May 19, 2021
• Update for BRS, RSS, CCSS and CSR for Sunsetting Codes — April 20, 2021
• 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

DBH eMemos:

• DBH continues to actively engage with Optum to resolve existing claims issues
• Federal Public Health Emergency (PHE) Declaration Renewed for 90 Days Effective February 11, 2023
• Department of Health regulations were published to increase the 1115 Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and Behavioral Health (BH) Waiver demonstration rates effective March 26, 2023
• Approved Rates For Inpatient And Outpatient Medical Care Provided By Indian Health Service (IHS) Facilities was Published in The Federal Register
• Alaska’s Department of Health, Division of Health Care Services announced signed contract with Health Management Systems, Inc. (HMS), a Gainwell Technologies company, to provide Fiscal Agent Services to support the Alaska Medicaid Program.
• Autism Concurrent Services Guidance Document - FINAL 04.14.2021
• 1115 SUD and 1115 BH Waiver Services Lift requirement of rendering provider on professional claims effective for dates of service on or after 4/1/2021
• SFY 21 Guidance Document 1 State plan Z codes 11-27-2020 
• Section 1115 Waiver Update e-Memo - 1115 Waiver Services permanent regulations — October 2020

Reports

• 2016 – 2019 Annual Behavioral Health Consumer Survey Return Rates and Client Evaluation of Outpatient Services
• 2016 – 2019 Discharge Behavioral Health Consumer Survey Return Rates and Client Evaluation of Residential Services