1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: Alaska Department of Health – Division of Senior and Disabilities Services (SDS)
Role: Oversees HCBS waiver programs, approves respite care providers, and ensures quality standards

Agency: Alaska Medicaid (under the Department of Health)
Role: Administers Medicaid provider enrollment and claims reimbursement for respite services

Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Role: Provides federal oversight and ensures compliance with HCBS waiver regulations

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2. RESPITE CARE SERVICE OVERVIEW

Respite care provides temporary support to individuals who normally receive care from a family member or primary caregiver. The goal is to provide relief to caregivers while ensuring continuity of care for the individual.

Approved providers may deliver:

• In-home respite care
• Out-of-home or facility-based respite (as permitted by plan of care)
• Hourly or daily supervision and support
• Activities promoting safety, comfort, and well-being
• Basic personal care and assistance with ADLs (Activities of Daily Living)

Services must be documented in the individual’s person-centered service plan and meet all health and safety requirements.

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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 physical office or service address in Alaska
• Hold applicable business or healthcare licenses as required (e.g., agency-based care license)
• Demonstrate ability to hire, train, and manage staff for in-home or community-based care
• Establish documentation and time-tracking systems for all care delivered

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4. SDS PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Initial Interest and Pre-Application:

• Contact SDS to express interest in becoming a Respite Care provider
• Attend orientation or informational meetings as offered by SDS

Application & Policy Submission:

• Submit a complete provider application to SDS
• Include organizational structure, financial stability documentation, and program service description
• Submit policies on consumer rights, safety, staff training, and emergency procedures

Background & Operational Readiness:

• Criminal background checks for all staff and contractors
• Proof of insurance (liability, worker’s comp, auto if applicable)
• System for timesheet management, consumer feedback, and incident reporting

Approval & Medicaid Enrollment:

• Upon SDS approval, enroll as a Medicaid provider through Alaska’s Medicaid Management Information System (MMIS)
• Select appropriate waiver service lines and billing codes for respite care
• Complete Medicaid provider agreement and system access setup

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5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

• Articles of Incorporation or Business License Certificate
• IRS EIN Letter
• NPI confirmation
• Lease or proof of office location in Alaska

SDS-Compliant Policy & Procedure Manual including:

• Eligibility verification and intake procedures
• Service documentation and daily activity logs
• Client rights and confidentiality protections
• Incident, grievance, and complaint resolution procedures
• Emergency preparedness and care continuity plans
• Staff hiring, training, and supervision policies
• Timekeeping and Medicaid billing logs
• Signed caregiver consent and care recipient intake forms

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6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Program Administrator
Requirements: Experience in caregiving, HCBS services, or health administration; knowledge of Alaska’s Medicaid waiver system

Role: Respite Care Staff
Requirements: High school diploma or GED, experience with caregiving or personal care, background clearance

All staff must complete:

• SDS orientation and waiver-specific training
• CPR/First Aid certification
• Annual training in ethics, confidentiality, and emergency response
• Documentation protocols and client rights training

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7. MEDICAID WAIVER SERVICES

The following Alaska Medicaid Waivers authorize Respite Care 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

Approved providers may deliver:

• Scheduled in-home respite visits
• Emergency or overnight respite support
• Flexible services based on caregiver availability
• Accurate documentation and Medicaid-compliant billing

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8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH

Phase: Business Formation
Timeline: 1–2 weeks

Phase: SDS Application Review
Timeline: 60–90 days

Phase: Program Readiness and Staff Onboarding
Timeline: 30–45 days

Phase: Medicaid Enrollment and MMIS Setup
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

10. SCOPE OF WORK

• Business formation (LLC, EIN, NPI)
• SDS application guidance and documentation preparation
• Development of Respite Care Policy & Procedure Manual
• Incident tracking forms, timekeeping logs, and consent forms
• Medicaid enrollment and MMIS system access support
• WEBSITE, DOMAIN, AND EMAIL SETUP
• CLIENT SERVICE AGREEMENTS AND INTAKE PACKET
• MARKETING AND ADVERTISING MATERIALS
• OPERATIONS AND WORKFORCE TRAINING
• REGULATORY AND LICENSING SUPPORT
• QUALITY MONITORING TOOLS AND CHECKLISTS
• CLIENT AND CAREGIVER OUTREACH STRATEGIES