April 26, 2023SDS shares the following message that was sent out recently via Remittance Advice by the Division of Health Care Services concerning continuation of telehealth delivery until pending amendments to telehealth regulations are finalized.
"The Department of Health is pleased to announce that, following consultation with the Alaska Department of Law, the decision has been made, consistent with HB 265 which was enacted in 2022, to extend Medicaid telehealth flexibilities beyond May 11, 2023, until proposed regulations are effective. The Division of Health Care Services, Medicaid Operations Unit, will issue additional information in the coming days to ensure that providers are aware of all federal and state requirements."
NOTE: Telehealth flexibilities for certain 1915(c) waiver services are approved by CMS via Appendix K through November 11, 2023. After that, SDS will implement regulations made effective date September 18, 2022, that have been superseded by CMS’ Appendix K approval. The pending regulations amendments include the content of the September 19, 2022, amendments on telehealth delivery of certain HCBS services.
CLARIFICATION: Use of electronic signatures
- All current or potential recipients and providers may use electronic signatures to sign official SDS documents submitted by any method. Approval via signature (whether original or electronic) is different from approval via attestation. Attestations are allowed only while the Appendix K flexibilities approved by CMS remain in effect (November, 2023).
- For more detail, please read the
SDS Director's Memo on Use of Electronic Signatures and reviewthe latest information post on the SDS Director Communications page.
Short Support Plan Guidance
The Appendix K Short Support Plan form will be retired as of June 30, 2023, and will not be accepted after that date. SDS is developing a permanent Short Support Plan form and process. SDS will provide additional information and training on this topic in the near future.
