1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: Alaska Department of Health – Division of Senior and Disabilities Services (SDS)
Role: Approves residential providers, monitors service delivery, and enforces quality standards

Agency: Alaska Medicaid (under the Department of Health)
Role: Manages Medicaid enrollment, service billing, and reimbursement for residential services

Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Role: Ensures federal compliance with HCBS Medicaid waiver regulations

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2. RESIDENTIAL CARE SERVICE OVERVIEW

Residential Care Services provide housing and daily support for individuals who cannot live independently without assistance. Services vary depending on the level of care needed and are delivered in licensed or certified homes that are integrated into the community.

• Approved providers may deliver:
• 24-hour supervision and support
• Assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) such as bathing, dressing, and eating
• Medication administration or monitoring
• Meal preparation and dietary support
• Social, recreational, and community integration activities
• Behavior support and skills development
• Transportation to appointments or community outings

All services must be part of the individual’s person-centered service plan and tailored to their specific needs and preferences.

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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)
• Secure and license the residential home or facility under applicable state rules
• Obtain Assisted Living Home License (if applicable) from the Division of Health Care Services
• Ensure compliance with fire safety, sanitation, and zoning requirements
• Employ trained residential staff and/or licensed professionals depending on level of care provided

4. SDS PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Initial Interest and Pre-Application:

• Contact SDS for the Residential Care Provider application packet
• Attend an SDS informational session or technical assistance meeting

Application & Licensing:

• Submit application including home details, floor plans, safety compliance, and staffing plan
• Apply for the Assisted Living License through the Division of Health Care Services
• Include policies on medication management, meal services, staff supervision, and emergency response

Readiness Review:

• Site inspection for residential safety and accessibility
• Background checks for all direct care staff
• Review of client care documentation systems and staff training plans

Approval & Medicaid Enrollment:

• Upon SDS and licensure approval, enroll as a Medicaid provider through Alaska MMIS
• Select residential care billing codes under appropriate waivers
• Complete Medicaid provider agreement and begin submitting claims after receiving authorization

5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

• Articles of Incorporation or Business License
• IRS EIN Letter
• NPI confirmation
• Assisted Living Home License (if applicable)
• Lease, deed, or proof of residence location

SDS-Compliant Policy & Procedure Manual including:

• Admission and discharge policies
• Medication administration and health monitoring protocols
• Emergency and disaster response plans
• Client rights and grievance procedures
• Incident reporting and staff supervision
• Staff-to-client ratio and overnight supervision protocols
• Nutrition, meal planning, and dietary accommodations
• Behavior support and safety procedures
• Transportation and community engagement policies

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6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Residential Administrator / Home Manager
Requirements: Experience managing residential care, knowledge of HCBS waivers and licensing standards

Role: Direct Support Professional (DSP) / Caregiver
Requirements: High school diploma or GED, training in personal care, background check, and CPR/First Aid

All staff must complete:

• SDS orientation and residential services training
• Medication administration training (if applicable)
• Person-centered planning and behavior support training
• Ethics, documentation, and confidentiality training
• Annual continuing education and in-service training

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7. MEDICAID WAIVER SERVICES

The following Alaska Medicaid Waivers authorize Residential Care Services:

• Adults with Physical and Developmental Disabilities (APDD) Waiver
• Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Waiver
• Children with Complex Medical Conditions (CCMC) Waiver
• Alaskans Living Independently (ALI) Waiver (in limited cases)

Approved providers may deliver:

• 24/7 residential supervision and support
• Personal care assistance and daily living support
• Behavioral health monitoring and skill development
• Documentation of daily care and goal tracking

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8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH

Phase: Business Formation and Property Readiness
Timeline: 2–4 weeks

Phase: Licensing and SDS Application Review
Timeline: 60–120 days

Phase: Staff Training and Program Preparation
Timeline: 30–45 days

Phase: Medicaid Enrollment and MMIS Access
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

Assisted Living Licensing – Division of Health Care Services
Phone: (907) 334-2400
Website: https://health.alaska.gov/dhcs

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

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10. SCOPE OF WORK

• Business formation (LLC, EIN, NPI)
• SDS and Assisted Living Home licensing support
• Development of Residential Care Policy & Procedure Manual
• Client intake, medication logs, and incident report templates
• Medicaid enrollment and billing setup through MMIS
• RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM WEBSITE AND EMAIL SETUP
• CLIENT INTAKE PACKET AND HOUSE RULES AGREEMENTS
• MARKETING MATERIALS FOR REFERRAL SOURCES AND CASE MANAGERS
• OPERATIONAL TRAINING FOR HOUSE MANAGERS AND CAREGIVERS
• LICENSING AND QUALITY MONITORING SUPPORT
• EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND RISK MANAGEMENT TOOLS
• RESIDENT ACQUISITION AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH STRATEGIES