[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6359050,"mediaKeyId","2208693-77428f5e61ae0e57df0cc5ff0c40d397","parentId",2208693,"title","Alaska health department outlines Medicaid rate review, 1115 demonstration work and claims payment changes","audioSeconds",3395,"startMs",765000,"endMs",4160000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2208693-77428f5e61ae0e57df0cc5ff0c40d397&start=765&end=4160","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2208693-77428f5e61ae0e57df0cc5ff0c40d397/thumbnail_765000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6359050/Alaska/Alaska-health-department-outlines-Medicaid-rate-review-1115-demonstration-work-and-claims-payment-changes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359050-c80e5fab975e9f2804663e559b22b013/orig.mp4?Expires=1773655442&Signature=jUk9pf211F6yv1shgn3BNWFwvv5fNWqocR9oeI~6yHsArj3-fvRWEwBu2vn2EkJBq4VS8DPSfIrWrFOw7xvsL2SQyLkyyDpKM4USvlHjSmqSucYeFYw3JgtENHGkPOFVJlFGYsvP8m3d6n8-SdUkxZrgvrqlghccr1s7AlFszO~bGOL9oV~Q5VejyCu9s4Zn~ROLR2LsbKOeIiP651SLbXFPDcfEwP4QU35uArlQnGL5CMBVd0bBWdisjAkV~f-tJ-NLFMn-0JXbVRxLXoMeMq677njTFUOu4QsqwAT2urcFQHK-gFb65F-tVlFg0u85Use4IULX0nupQliaH~jwSA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Alaska State Legislature","date","2025-01-28T00:00:00Z","article","Alaska’s Department of Health told the House Health and Social Services Committee on Jan. 28, 2025, that it is conducting a multiyear review of Medicaid rate methodologies, pursuing Section 1115 demonstration projects and finishing a claims-payment transition begun last year.

Deputy Commissioner Emily Ritchie said the department’s “Medicaid methodology rate review” is intended to test whether current rate structures, levels and policies are producing the outcomes the state wants for population health and service delivery. She told lawmakers that phase one focuses on behavioral health services, long-term care services and supports, federally qualified health centers and both emergent and non‑emergent medical transportation, and that the department expects “final recommendations for those 4 areas of focus” in July 2025.

Why it matters: Alaska Medicaid is a major payer in the state. Changes the department makes to rate methodology and to what services Medicaid covers can affect provider revenue, access to care and long‑term state spending.

Ritchie described 1115 demonstration waivers — federal approvals that let states test delivery and payment approaches for up to five years — as a separate but related track. “It’s essentially a 5‑year demonstration waiver that is structured to include a hypothesis, a very clear research objective, significant reporting and public input,” she said, summarizing the federal framework the state must follow when it proposes an 1115 project.

On provider payments, Ritchie said the department completed a high‑risk transition of most behavioral‑health claims into the state’s centralized Medicaid claims system on Nov. 1, 2024. “That claims transition occurred November 1, 2024,” she told the committee, and the department said it remains in a post‑transition stabilization period while staff work outstanding issues with individual providers.

Lawmakers pressed department officials about delayed payments and provider cash flow. Ritchie said the department is sharing information as it becomes available and working directly with providers who continue to experience problems: “We are trying to share information as it becomes available,” she said, adding that the department balances speed with the need to gather provider data and allow stakeholder feedback.

The department also highlighted other Medicaid‑related fiscal work. Emily Ritchie said the Division of Health Care Services recouped $139,000,000 in federal offsets in fiscal 2024 through tribal reclaiming and reported $168,000,000 in pharmacy rebates, which the division credited with reducing general‑fund pressure.

Operational and modernization steps described to the committee included a proposed provider‑enrollment portal in the governor’s capital budget, short‑term fixes to reduce manual processing, and a planned patient‑facing mobile app to carry a Medicaid ID card (the department said it aims to have the ID card available to enrollees in August 2025). The department described a modular approach to Medicaid IT modernization — moving functions off the mainframe one module at a time rather than doing a single large replacement.

What's next: department officials said they expect final recommendations for phase‑one rate methodologies in July 2025, plan further work to design and evaluate 1115 waiver opportunities with a contractor, and will continue post‑transition work on behavioral‑health claim payment issues.

Speakers quoted or cited: Deputy Commissioner Emily Ritchie; Commissioner Heidi Hedberg; Chair Mina of the House Health and Social Services Committee.

Ending: Committee members asked the department for continued updates on provider payment issues and on the July 2025 timeline for the rate review recommendations. The committee scheduled further budget and subcommittee review as the department’s recommendations and procurements proceed.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Health & Social Services Committee - January 28, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Alaska’s Department of Health told the House Health and Social Services Committee on Jan. 28, 2025, that it is conducting a multiyear review of Medicaid rate methodologies, pursuing Section 1115 demonstration projects and finishing a claims‑payment transition begun last year.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature Alaska, Alaska","taxId",78559,"location","Alaska","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6359035,"Health department presents youth behavioral‑health road map, DOJ letter and plans for certified behavioral‑health clinics",136,3114000,3250000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2208693-77428f5e61ae0e57df0cc5ff0c40d397&start=3114&end=3250","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2208693-77428f5e61ae0e57df0cc5ff0c40d397/thumbnail_3114000.jpg","/articles/6359035/Alaska/Health-department-presents-youth-behavioralhealth-road-map-DOJ-letter-and-plans-for-certified-behavioralhealth-clinics","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359035-3cd0b1ff04861903e89015199967001c/orig.mp4?Expires=1773655442&Signature=AmHGn15hCwRuwEeFD4ip6ifxk0oqU5REBDsNOkTyVMoXORh1~n7I6qkQPu4w6aCCdjLJwiegvFhr48ZorZmlAJVfxwIFAmSS~bqMbvPOS93yRpgX5ZmIxNdo~8JsO5bMNnUACwiawU5PQyHRRsqriF~LsnigWaYo480KTr7seJkhBXdRcdcXU5yG9uX7HUqSvXzx4~rDPRoYIACoWwVChZOoXIMYWtS03MtOrhT5J4keJiTZLtOxwyyXt00xtuny94HVcbREQpu-ctJXdFLeBhGSQOl6Wx1q3F3kOHpr2RtbIhqFwscn~35J8wCKCLezKxN~jZ3466mx5wEaRitJfQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Commissioner Heidi Hedberg and Deputy Commissioner Emily Ritchie told the House Health and Social Services Committee on Jan. 28, 2025, that the Department of Health has produced a youth behavioral‑health road map and is pursuing multiple steps to expand community‑based services for children and youth.

Hedberg said the youth behavioral‑health road map contains 47 recommendations; she told the committee there is active work on 21 of those recommendations. The roadmap lays out a continuum of care from prevention and early intervention through outpatient, subacute and residential services, with cross‑cutting needs in data integration, provider supports and care coordination.

Hedberg also said the department signed a Jan. 16 letter of agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice. The agreement pauses litigation for approximately three years while Alaska implements changes and provides updates to DOJ; Hedberg said the agreement does not mean the work is finished and that DOJ will continue monitoring implementation.

Deputy Commissioner Emily Ritchie described concrete system changes tied to behavioral health: the department has renewed the Section 1115 behavioral‑health waiver through March 2024–effectively extending that demonstration — and is focused on building out crisis services using contractor analysis (Milliman) to identify gaps and priorities. Ritchie said the department completed a claims‑payment transition for behavioral‑health claims on Nov. 1, 2024, and is working to stabilize post‑transition issues with providers.

The department also reported that it will participate in a federal cohort to establish certified community behavioral health clinics (CCBHCs). Ritchie said Alaska has four clinics that could qualify; when asked about locations she referenced Juneau, Anchorage and Mat‑Su and said the department would follow up with specifics. The department said CCBHC certification would require state standards and certification rules so Medicaid could implement an enhanced payment model for those clinics.

Lawmakers pressed for measures of progress and asked for examples of recent successes. Officials cited work to stabilize claims payment, to improve provider supports and to develop specialized services for individuals with complex needs (including new specialized family habilitation homes and adjusted staffing flexibilities).

Ending: Department officials asked legislators for continued collaboration as they implement the road map and regulatory groundwork for clinic certification and crisis services; they said they will provide additional follow‑up information and specific implementation timelines on request.","On Jan. 28, 2025, Alaska’s Department of Health presented a youth behavioral‑health road map to the House Health and Social Services Committee, said it had signed a Jan. 16 letter of agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice and announced participation in a federal cohort to develop certified community behavioral‑health clinics.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6359040,"Alaska forms opioid fatality review committee, directs settlement funds to communities and elevates suicide prevention work",170,2450000,2620000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2208693-77428f5e61ae0e57df0cc5ff0c40d397&start=2450&end=2620","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2208693-77428f5e61ae0e57df0cc5ff0c40d397/thumbnail_2450000.jpg","/articles/6359040/Alaska/Alaska-forms-opioid-fatality-review-committee-directs-settlement-funds-to-communities-and-elevates-suicide-prevention-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359040-01708628468f8b3effae0ecff7f869d1/orig.mp4?Expires=1773655442&Signature=gXGMkogStDqHlQTrDzuM8--lNsMbqIx0Z2nfj7BWsox5xafusFgMo7ADP5RQs6gJAJoSvHcTIY2UhR1pyZvTEfTYmkGbANZDAuTEHmWccDXcZZ7~drzroC0iMh0tepovJKn10lX~P58hKUuIlGuN5HQ478wa9Dh4EwLyaOCcSZb1poHoYiQwUg-5RS4zYji1T9yvxhNO-qlWIrIzZxrN9PQM3wFUyaojicFhj63TICDjiUaOEm383M9DvuaovWVbITUcjGzhP2yuT1Rx31mGPwjMHMxOZj5NU3f0FbfHutDuwicgccAcEMG4GkXEHJntobOIJyWR-mWewaJlah9kIQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dr. Robert Lawrence, chief medical officer at the Alaska Department of Health, told the House Health and Social Services Committee on Jan. 28, 2025, that the department has established an opioid fatality review committee to examine overdose deaths and issue community‑focused recommendations.

\"That committee has now been established. They're meeting for the first time this month,\" Dr. Lawrence told lawmakers, and he said the committee will review clinical records and case reviews to produce “actionable recommendations for change” and will work to get those recommendations into communities. He said the committee will meet every other month and plans to produce at least an annual report summarizing recommendations.

Dr. Lawrence described the department’s response to overdose as a multi‑strand approach — interdiction, prevention, harm reduction, treatment and recovery — coordinated across state agencies including the Departments of Corrections, Public Safety and Family and Community Services and with the Mental Health Trust Authority.

On funding, the department said National Opioid Settlement funds have started to flow into Alaska and that the first iteration of those funds has been distributed to 18 community organizations and one statewide intermediary organization; the department said over 80% of the first grants were directed back to communities. Dr. Lawrence noted the settlement fund was previously described (in the briefing) as approximately $58 million but said he could not confirm the current balance and offered to follow up with detailed figures.

Lawmakers asked about links between youth mental health and social media, the role of law and school policy, and whether suicide‑prevention work should extend beyond schools. Dr. Lawrence and other department leaders noted the state is pursuing suicide‑prevention planning (including work on the 988 crisis line) alongside opioid response efforts.

Ending: The department said it will provide further detail on the opioid settlement fund balance and distribution process and that communities receiving the initial grants will help distribute smaller awards to organizations that did not apply directly.","The Department of Health told legislators on Jan. 28 that it has established an opioid fatality review committee, begun distributing National Opioid Settlement funds to community organizations and is coordinating overdose and suicide prevention across agencies; the committee will meet every other month and issue at least an annual report.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6359045,"Alaska moves to modernize child‑care access: new information system, LiveScan pilot and proposed 'friends, families and neighbors' license",103,1802000,1905000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2208693-77428f5e61ae0e57df0cc5ff0c40d397&start=1802&end=1905","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2208693-77428f5e61ae0e57df0cc5ff0c40d397/thumbnail_1802000.jpg","/articles/6359045/Alaska/Alaska-moves-to-modernize-childcare-access-new-information-system-LiveScan-pilot-and-proposed-friends-families-and-neighbors-license","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359045-17bfb5ffb0be26754ae9c473327fad11/orig.mp4?Expires=1773655442&Signature=Jce32bjNSaxPOLG6Mwrp-voWNo7vDPsFCF-Z4e83WoAq4v4xeopuzEs~96bd1THrz8Q6811D9nyyRXv5adkHW71Uo8j7QXs2wEwSqFJbf5gwDf182FDBVueYGIq6FgD~56Gkb3c2TRHPnMxCKDJCtyc2qXq1RUtvtAeAoJDm4Zbjt6bxHmLB37eYzQeugp0yeIsymaAm1kwIlqW1hz~kPDTQhHZgPLbC8FlUJ2pH7gv-CB5mUYijIS4tqCmleE106K54BvMIEmdcwfVLdQNJbDlyLMNNCfYRzOnIdswA3z0et-Do8~PJaL0JksJ8~IPL1F6EQxq3c8Odr0FHYZmVLg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Commissioner Heidi Hedberg told the House Health and Social Services Committee on Jan. 28, 2025, that the Department of Health is implementing multiple recommendations from the governor’s child‑care task force and rolling out technical and licensing changes intended to expand access and reduce administrative burden.

Hedberg said the child‑care task force produced two reports with 56 recommendations; the department reported 13 implemented and work underway on 21 recommendations. The department has launched a new Alaska Child Care Information System, described as a single database with three portals that will be phased to providers and families. Hedberg said the system replaces paper forms with fillable electronic forms and is intended to shorten application processing time and reduce incomplete submissions.

To speed background checks, the department has purchased LiveScan fingerprint equipment and will pilot the technology in four rural communities at state office buildings, Hedberg said. The pilot is intended to shorten fingerprint processing times for childcare licensing, with a possible later roll‑out to additional sites.

Hedberg also described a proposed new license category, known as “friends, families and neighbors,” aimed at increasing subsidy access for home‑based caregivers in communities without licensed childcare providers. The department said the license would apply to home‑based providers and would require the same health and safety standards as other licensed providers; the department has not yet initiated rulemaking or a start date and said details such as specific square‑footage or ratio requirements will be developed after further review.

The department said it will use federal preschool development grant funds for coaching and consultation to help providers manage children with behavioral needs and for early start‑up funds to assist Alaskans opening new centers. Hedberg also said the governor’s budget proposes two positions in the childcare program office, including one specifically to coordinate business and childcare sector connections (for example, identifying vacant school or state facilities suitable for childcare use).

Lawmakers raised questions about timeline and regulatory details. Representative Donna Mears described interest in co‑locating childcare in school facilities and said fire‑code nap requirements differ between early childcare and school‑age spaces. Hedberg said the state defers licensing of childcare centers within the Municipality of Anchorage to the municipality and that the department is providing technical support to Anchorage’s task force on licensing changes.

Ending: The department said it will provide the committee with a list of completed task force recommendations and follow up on timing and specific regulatory details for the friends‑families‑neighbors license.","At a Jan. 28 committee briefing the Department of Health summarized implementation of child‑care task force recommendations, launch of a new Alaska Child Care Information System, a four‑community LiveScan fingerprint pilot and work to establish a new 'friends, families and neighbors' license to expand subsidy access in rural areas.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Alaska health department outlines Medicaid rate review, 1115 demonstration work and claims payment changes

Health department presents youth behavioral‑health road map, DOJ letter and plans for certified behavioral‑health clinics

Alaska forms opioid fatality review committee, directs settlement funds to communities and elevates suicide prevention work

Alaska moves to modernize child‑care access: new information system, LiveScan pilot and proposed 'friends, families and neighbors' license