Questions Related to the Notice of Proposed Changes on Behavioral Health Services Accreditation

1. Can you give a reason why this delay is being proposed?  Who is asking for the delay?
   
   Response:  The department proposed the delay in response to some impacted agencies who are  concerned that they may not be able to meet the current requirement and to provide  time for the department to address these concerns.
   
   
2. Please provide a copy of the current regulations.
   
   
   Response:  The current regulations are listed below:
   
   

   7 AAC 70.150. Behavioral health services provider accreditation

   • (a)  Except as provided in (b) of this section, to receive a department approval under 7 AAC 70.030, a behavioral health services provider must 
   • (1) be accredited to provide behavioral health services by
   • (A) The Joint Commission;
   • (B) the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF); or
   • (C) the Council on Accreditation (COA);
   • (2) be accredited by an alternative accreditation agency approved by the department under 7 AAC 70.160; or
   • (3) meet the interim standards for operation under 7 AAC 70.200 - 7 AAC 70.265.
     
   • (b)  After June 30, 2015, a behavioral health services provider must 
   • (1) be accredited to provide behavioral health services by  
   • (A) The Joint Commission;
   • (B) the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF); 
   • (C) the Council on Accreditation (COA); or  
   • (D) an alternative accreditation agency approved by the department under 7 AAC 70.160; or  
   • (2) be issued a provisional department approval under 7 AAC 70.030(d). 
     
   • (c)  A behavioral health services provider must obtain accreditation that is relevant to the services for which the provider is seeking department approval.  
   • (d)  A behavioral health services provider must submit to the department a copy of the complete accreditation agency site review report no later than 30 days after receipt from the accreditation agency.
   • (e)  Upon receipt of a written request by the department, a behavioral health services provider that is not already accredited to provide behavioral health services must submit to the department a report on the provider's progress toward receiving accreditation.