1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: Alaska Department of Health – Division of Senior and Disabilities Services (SDS)
Role: Approves companion service providers, monitors quality of services, and ensures adherence to HCBS waiver guidelines

Agency: Alaska Medicaid (under the Department of Health)
Role: Oversees Medicaid provider enrollment and reimbursement for companion services

Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Role: Provides federal oversight and ensures HCBS compliance and participant-centered service delivery

2. ADULT COMPANION SERVICE OVERVIEW

Adult Companion Services focus on providing supportive assistance that fosters independence and emotional well-being. Services are non-medical and designed to help individuals remain in their homes and engaged in their communities.

Approved providers may deliver:

• Companionship and conversation
• Assistance with daily routines and leisure activities
• Accompaniment to appointments, errands, and community outings
• Meal preparation and light housekeeping related to the participant’s needs
• Cueing to support memory and cognitive functioning
• Emotional support to reduce isolation and enhance quality of life

All services must align with the participant’s person-centered plan and cannot replace or duplicate direct medical or skilled services.

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3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

• Register business with the Alaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing
• Obtain EIN from the IRS and NPI (Type 2)
• Maintain a service base or physical office in Alaska
• Ensure staff meet background check, training, and competency standards
• Maintain participant intake, scheduling, and documentation systems
• Develop policies and procedures for non-medical assistance and community integration

4. SDS PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Initial Interest and Application:

• Request Adult Companion Services application packet from SDS
• (Recommended) Attend waiver provider orientation session

Application and Documentation Submission:

• Submit business information, service delivery model, and staffing plan
• Include participant intake forms, emergency procedures, and activity plans
• Provide staff qualification documentation and supervision protocols

Program Readiness Review:

• SDS evaluates staff training, service documentation processes, and participant safety protocols
• May review sample care schedules and community integration activities

Approval & Medicaid Enrollment:

• Upon SDS approval, register with Alaska Medicaid through MMIS as an Adult Companion Services provider
• Select the appropriate billing codes under HCBS waivers
• Complete Medicaid provider agreements and configure claims submission systems

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5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

• Articles of Incorporation or Business License
• IRS EIN confirmation
• NPI confirmation
• Proof of office or service address in Alaska

SDS-Compliant Policy & Procedure Manual including:

• Participant intake and individualized support plans
• Emergency contact and crisis management procedures
• Community activity planning and support logs
• Confidentiality and client rights policies
• Staff training records, background checks, and supervision logs
• Incident reporting and quality assurance procedures
• Medicaid billing and scheduling systems

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6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Companion Services Supervisor
Requirements: Experience in human services, case management, or caregiving oversight

Role: Companion Worker / Direct Support Staff
Requirements: High school diploma or GED, background check clearance, CPR/First Aid certification

All staff must complete:

• SDS waiver service orientation and person-centered planning training
• Confidentiality, client rights, and safety training
• Community activity support and socialization engagement training
• Annual refresher training on documentation and incident prevention

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7. MEDICAID WAIVER SERVICES

The following Alaska Medicaid Waivers authorize Adult Companion Services:

• Alaskans Living Independently (ALI) Waiver
• Adults with Physical and Developmental Disabilities (APDD) Waiver
• Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Waiver
• Children with Complex Medical Conditions (CCMC) Waiver (for transitioning young adults)

Approved providers may deliver:

• In-home companionship and daily living support
• Community access and participation activities
• Emotional support and social engagement
• Documentation of services provided per the person-centered plan

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8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH

Phase: Business Formation and Staffing Setup
Timeline: 1–2 weeks

Phase: SDS Application and Program Readiness Review
Timeline: 60–90 days

Phase: Staff Training and Documentation Finalization
Timeline: 30–45 days

Phase: Medicaid Enrollment and MMIS Configuration
Timeline: 45–60 days

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9. CONTACT INFORMATION

Alaska Department of Health – Division of Senior and Disabilities Services (SDS)
Email: dsdsprovider@alaska.gov
Phone: (907) 269-3666
Website: https://dhss.alaska.gov/dsds

Alaska Medicaid Provider Enrollment – Conduent MMIS
Website: https://medicaidalaska.com

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10. SCOPE OF WORK

• Business registration and EIN/NPI setup
• SDS application and documentation development
• Creation of Companion Services Policy & Procedure Manual
• Staff training templates and participant support planning tools
• Medicaid enrollment and billing setup through MMIS
• Website, domain, and email setup
• Client intake and individualized support packet
• Staff training materials and incident response guides
• Quality assurance tracking tools and participant satisfaction surveys
• Community integration and referral networking strategies

WAIVER CONSULTING GROUP’S START-UP ASSISTANCE SERVICE — ALASKA ADULT COMPANION SERVICES PROVIDER

We help providers establish Medicaid-compliant Adult Companion Services under Alaska’s HCBS Waiver programs.