Quality Assurance Unit
In the Division of Senior and Disabilities Services (DSDS), the Quality Assurance Unit works to ensure the health and welfare of recipients through the monitoring and oversight of services to participants and their families. Unit staff conduct case record reviews, oversee critical incident reporting, review mortalities, conduct complaint investigations and monitor and report on data.
The Quality Assurance Unit strives to provide technical assistance as needed, deliver excellent customer service, and to collaborate with stakeholders and other DHSS agencies to meet our Division’s mission of promoting health, well-being and safety for individuals by facilitating access to quality services.
The Quality Assurance Unit is responsible for the following activities:
- Case Record Review of Medicaid Waiver Participants
- Critical Incident Report Review, Investigations, Remediation and Reporting
- Mortality Review, Investigations, and Reporting
- Investigation of participant related complaints and noncompliance
- Critical Incident Report (CIR) Investigation as related to system compliance
- Quality Monitoring Reporting for system improvement activities
Quality Assurance Unit Staff Contacts
-
Meg Sampson – Unit Manager, Health Program Manager III
907-269-3969
Manages and oversees all functions of the Quality Assurance unit.
Screening and Investigations
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Esther Hayes – Health Program Manager II
907-334-0889
Supervises QA investigators, incident screeners, mortality reviews and provides technical assistance. -
Karen Engstrom– Health Program Manager II
907-250-4391
Complaint investigations, technical assistance and quality monitoring reporting. -
Brittney Hayden – Health Program Manager II
907-231-2286
Complaint investigations, technical assistance and quality monitoring reporting. -
Frances Stuckey – Heath Program Manager II
907-444-7555
Complaint investigations, technical assistance and quality monitoring reporting. -
Amber Champagne – Health Program Manager II
907-250-4213
Complaint investigations, technical assistance and quality monitoring reporting. - Amanda Fedewa – Health Program Manager I
907-754-3514
Mortality Reviews, incident report screening, investigations related to incident reports and technical assistance.
- Tai Taafua – Health Program Manager I
907-269-4152
Mortality Reviews, incident report screening, investigations related to incident reports and technical assistance.
Service Authorization
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Bonnie Olsen-Lee – Health Program Manager II
907-269-4134
Supervises Service Authorization staff, technical assistance, utilization reviews and reporting -
Kenzie Bailey– Medicaid Program Specialist I
907-375-7730
Service authorizations, utilization review and technical assistance. -
Brenda Martin – Medicaid Program Specialist I
907-375-7730
Service authorizations, utilization review and technical assistance. -
Lori Gaetzman – Medicaid Program Specialist I
907-269-3451
Service authorizations, utilization review and technical assistance. -
Sarah Blastick – Medical Program Specialist I
907-334-2639
Service authorizations, utilization review, technical assistance and incident report screening.
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Donna Heilman – Office Assistant II
907-268-4450
Unit Support
Fair Hearings, Mediations and Appeals
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Victoria Cobo – Medicaid Program Specialist III
907-344-0890
Fair Hearing representative -
Terri Gagne – Medicaid Program Specialist III
907-754-3548
Fair Hearing representative
Resources
- Documents older than 25 months can be found on the State of Alaska Library Archives website.
- Use the following link to submit certification related emails, requests for PCA training waivers, variance application materials and any certification related questions: DSDSCertification@alaska.gov
- For information on submitting critical incidents reports, complaints or other related reports, follow this link:
