Senior and Disabilities Services Covid-19 Procedures

 

SDS Response to Covid-19

The Division of Senior and Disabilities Services recently received approval for an Appendix K amendment to its 1915(c) home and community based waivers due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This amendment was approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services on March 25, 2020, and allows changes in SDS processes and procedures to take effect as of March 11, 2020, the date of Alaska's Emergency Declaration.

Since approval, SDS has been working to operationalize how Appendix K will be implemented. The following documents have been presented to providers in concept through recent webinars and trainings, and SDS has worked to improve the documents and answer the many provider questions resulting from these webinars and trainings. If you do not see your Appendix K question addressed in the FAQ, please send it to SDSTraining@alaska.gov.

SDS encourages providers to continue to monitor this page and SDS E-Alerts for updates to COVID-19 process changes.

Appendix K Approval and Guidance

• Alaska's Appendix K COVID-19 Waiver Approved by CMS
• Alaska’s Appendix K COVID-19 Waiver #2 Approved by CMS 6/1/20
• Alaska's Appendix K COVID-19 Waiver #3 Approved by CMS 10/30/20
• Alaska’s Appendix K COVID-19 Waiver #4 Approved by CMS 12/21/20
• Alaska’s Appendix K COVID-19 Waiver #5 Approved by CMS 3/25/21
• Alaska’s Appendix K COVID-19 Waiver #6 Approved by CMS 3/10/21
• Alaska’s Appendix K COVID-19 Waiver #7 Approved by CMS 1/7/22
• Alaska’s Appendix K COVID-19 Waiver #8 Approved by CMS 8/24/22
  
• Appendix K Guidance

Resources

• February 2021 FAQ on Timing of Flexibilities (new 2/23/21)
• FAQ on Status of Flexibilities (new 11/23/20)
• COVID-19 In-home Caregivers Guidance (new 6/22/20)
• COVID-19 State of Alaska Guidelines for Re-Initiation of In Person Early Intervention Home Visits (Issued 5/22/20)
• Frequently Asked Questions and Answers on Waiver Services under Appendix K (revised 5/18/20 and updated 6/19/20)
• Frequently Asked Questions and Answers on State Plan Services (PCS, CFC) under 1135 Waiver (new 5/18/20 and updated 6/19/20)
• Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for Care Coordinators on Appendix K processes (new 5/18/20 and updated 6/19/20)
• Electronic Signature COVID-19 Guidance (5/7/20)
• SDS E-Alert: HIPAA and COVID (4/13/20)
• SDS E-Alert: PPE (4/8/20)
  • PPE ICS 213 RR
  • PPE Distribution IMATS
• Community Resources
• Best Practices for Distance Delivery of Services
• Addressing Social Isolation for Older Adults During the COVID-19 Crisis (revised 5/11/20)
• Individuals with Disabilities and Face Coverings (info graphic)
• PCA or Family Member (info graphic)

CDC Guidance

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has released COVID-19 guidance, with a primary focus on family members and caregivers who support people with developmental disabilities.

• Guidance for Congregate Residential Settings
• Guidance for Caregivers of People Living with Dementia in Community Settings
• Guidance for Direct Service Providers
• Guidance for Group Homes for Individuals with Disabilities
• Guidance for Direct Service Providers, Caregivers, Parents, and People with Developmental and Behavioral Disorders
• People with Developmental and Behavioral Disorders

American Rescue Plan Act

• Alaska’s ARPA eFMAP Proposed Spending Plan Narrative - Initial (6/24/21)
• Alaska’s ARPA eFMAP Interim Report – Requesting Changes to Proposed Spending Plan (12/14/21)