Welcome to Behavioral Health
Headlines
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Reminder: Behavioral Health Specific Virtual Townhall. Provider training resources for HMS Gainwell Introduction
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Important Behavioral Health Medicaid Claims Transition Updates: July 3, 2024 Behavioral Health Medicaid claims processing transition activities are ahead of schedule! Please read for updates on the transition timeline and for information on provider resources to support connecting with the upcoming vendor systems.
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988Create Art Contest Winners! The Youth Alliance for a Healthier Alaska is running a second year of the 988Create art contest. Follow the link to see this year's winners!
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On March 26, 2024, the Alaska received approval from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to extend the 1115 demonstration waiver through December 31, 2028. The extension authorizes the state to change the title of the demonstration from “Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Behavioral health Program (SUD-BHP)” to “Behavioral Health Reform.” The title change aligns mental health and SUD under a broader behavioral health definition to reflect the state’s commitment to program reform and system transformation. Beyond the title change, the state did not request changes with this extension but rather sought to continue operations of the current demonstration. This renewal approval was a culmination of significant work from staff in the Department of Health and the Division of Behavioral Health who are commended on their efforts contributing to this approval.
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The Alaska SMART Medical Clearance form is an effective, standardized tool for determining medical stability for patients with a psychiatric crisis in emergency contexts. Benefits can include improved patient care and more efficient care coordination.
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1115 Public Forum Comments and Responses. On November 20, 2023 DBH held an annual public forum to solicit comments on the progress of 1115 Waiver. During this session further enhancements, administrative burden, bifurcation of waiver, claims payment, payment rates, and data/reporting were discussed.
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FY24 Treatment & Recovery: Grantee Quarterly Report Forms
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Public Notice:Combined Behavioral Health Assessment and Plan (SUPTRS and MHBG) to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA)
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U.S. Surgeon General's Advisory: Social Media and Youth Mental Health
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DBH Brief summary of regulation process
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Dial 988 for help with mental-health related distress, including thoughts of suicide, mental health or substance use crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress.
You may also call Lifeline at 800-273-8255 or the Alaska Careline at 877-266-HELP.
To find help treating a substance use disorder, call 1-800-662-HELP (SAMHSA help line) or visit
www.findtreatment.gov. You may also review
www.treatmentconnection.com.
Dial 211 for help finding locally available resources.
1115 Waiver Demonstration Project
Alaska’s 1115 Medicaid waiver, the Alaska Substance Use Disorder and Behavioral Health Program, was approved for the original demonstration period of January 1, 2019, through December 31, 2023. Alaska is submitting a renewal application, in accordance with CMS requirements, to continue this demonstration for another 5-year period, January 1, 2024-December 31, 2028. The waiver would continue to provide Alaska with the flexibility to offer a broad range of substance use disorder and behavioral health services and reduce the State’s reliance on crisis services. Visit the 1115 Behavioral Health Medicaid Waiver
Alaska Community Resources
Substance misuse and addiction treatment
Are you finding it difficult to stop using alcohol, prescription medications or other substances? If you've thought about cutting down or stopping, here is a list of providers,
Substance Use Disorder Treatment Providers (Excel Spreadsheet) (updated 6/23/2023) or see the links under Treatment Bed Availability on the right hand menu.
Alaska providers who offer opioid misuse treatment:
Find information on opioids (prescription pain medications, heroin and more) and treatment options on
Heroin and Opioid Use in Alaska
Resources