Alaska Online Public Notices #225405

Alaska proposes Medicaid coverage for traditional health care practices

The Alaska Department of Health is seeking public comment on a proposed Medicaid demonstration to cover traditional health care practices for eligible Alaska Native and American Indian beneficiaries. - Government buyer: State of Alaska Department of Health; Alaska Medicaid program. - Notice purpose: Public comment on a proposed Section 1115 Medicaid demonstration application, not a procurement solicitation. - Proposed service: Regionally defined traditional health care practices (THCPs), potentially including ceremonial practices, physical body work, traditional counseling, learning and talking circles, and traditional nutrition education. - Eligible beneficiaries and providers: Medicaid-enrolled Alaska Native and American Indian beneficiaries receiving services through qualified Tribal health programs designated as Qualified Entities. Qualified Entities may employ or contract with traditional healers or Tribal doctors. - Key requirements: Each Qualified Entity would define and document covered practices, limitations, exclusions, and medical-necessity requirements. Services would be delivered by or through a Qualified Entity facility, though not necessarily within its four walls. - Payment and claim limits: Fee-for-service Medicaid reimbursement equivalent to the outpatient All-Inclusive Rate, with no more than one claim per beneficiary per day. - Other coverage: The proposal would not change Medicaid eligibility or the delivery system, and THCP coverage would not replace or reduce access to other eligible Medicaid services. - OEMs and vendors: No specific OEMs, commercial vendors, or product brands are identified. - Period: Proposed as a five-year demonstration; THCP coverage is intended to begin during the demonstration period.

Description

The Alaska Department of Health is seeking public comment on an application for a five-year Section 1115 demonstration to authorize Medicaid coverage of traditional health care practices for Alaska Native and American Indian beneficiaries enrolled in Medicaid. The proposed program would cover regionally defined practices provided by or through eligible Tribal health programs, with reimbursement equivalent to the outpatient All-Inclusive Rate. The Department proposes a demonstration period of December 31, 2026, through December 31, 2031, with coverage beginning no earlier than January 1, 2028. The notice invites comments before the application is submitted to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services; the comment period runs October 5 through November 4, 2026.

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