SUPPORTING INDEPENDENCE, SOCIALIZATION, AND DAILY WELLNESS FOR ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES AND CHRONIC CONDITIONS

​Adult Day Services in Alaska provide structured, community-based programs during daytime hours for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), physical disabilities, or chronic medical conditions. These services, authorized under Alaska’s Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Medicaid Waiver programs, promote health, safety, independence, and social engagement in a supervised, supportive environment outside the home.

1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: Alaska Department of Health – Division of Senior and Disabilities Services (SDS)
Role: Authorizes and monitors Adult Day Services providers, ensures regulatory compliance, and enforces quality standards

Agency: Alaska Medicaid (under the Department of Health)
Role: Manages Medicaid enrollment, claims reimbursement, and compliance for Adult Day Services

Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Role: Provides federal oversight to ensure services meet HCBS person-centered and community-based care requirements

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2. ADULT DAY SERVICE OVERVIEW

Adult Day Services are designed to help participants build life skills, engage socially, and access health and wellness supports in a community setting. These services are typically delivered in dedicated day program facilities and tailored to each individual’s care plan.

Approved providers may deliver:

• Supervised daytime care in a licensed or SDS-approved facility
• Structured recreational, educational, and social activities
• Support with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), such as eating, toileting, and mobility
• Life skills development (e.g., money management, personal care, community navigation)
• Health monitoring and medication reminders (non-clinical)
• Nutritional support, including meals and snacks
• Transportation coordination to and from the center
• Daily documentation and individualized goal tracking
• Services must align with each person’s needs, preferences, and documented service plan.

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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 a facility or program site that meets state and local health, fire, and safety codes
• Obtain appropriate licenses or approvals for facility use, if required by local jurisdictions
• Develop structured daily schedules and activity programming
• Employ trained staff with experience supporting adults with disabilities
• Carry general liability and workers’ compensation insurance

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4. SDS PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Initial Interest and Application:

• Request the Adult Day Services Provider Application from SDS
• Attend SDS informational session or orientation for day service providers

Application and Program Review:

• Submit a comprehensive business and service delivery plan
• Include sample activity schedules, emergency procedures, staff training outlines, and documentation forms
• Provide proof of facility compliance with safety, sanitation, and accessibility standards

Site Readiness Inspection:

• SDS may inspect the program site for ADA accessibility, emergency preparedness, and client safety
• Staff credentials, background checks, and documentation systems will be reviewed
• Providers must demonstrate capacity to offer structured, meaningful day programming

Approval & Medicaid Enrollment:

• After SDS approval, enroll through Alaska Medicaid MMIS as an Adult Day Services provider
• Select appropriate billing codes under HCBS waivers
• Finalize Medicaid provider agreement and configure claims submission

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5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

• Articles of Incorporation or Business License
• IRS EIN Letter
• NPI confirmation
• Lease or proof of program site location

SDS-Compliant Policy & Procedure Manual including:

• Participant admission and assessment protocols
• Daily programming, safety supervision, and staffing plans
• Emergency response and fire evacuation procedures
• ADL and IADL assistance documentation
• Health and medication support policies (non-clinical)
• Client rights, grievance resolution, and consent forms
• Staff training, performance monitoring, and background check processes
• Transportation coordination and incident tracking systems

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6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Program Director / Adult Day Manager
Requirements: Experience in adult day programming, facility operations, and Medicaid waiver compliance

Role: Day Program Staff / Activity Facilitators
Requirements: High school diploma or GED, experience working with individuals with disabilities, background check clearance

All staff must complete:

• SDS waiver orientation and Adult Day Services training
• CPR/First Aid certification and emergency procedures training
• Documentation, ethics, and participant rights protocols
• Annual training in safety, supervision, and meaningful activity facilitation

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7. MEDICAID WAIVER SERVICES

The following Alaska Medicaid Waivers authorize Adult Day 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 (transition-age youth, where applicable)

Approved providers may deliver:

• Full-day or partial-day structured programming
• Daily support with ADLs and skill-building activities
• Social, recreational, and therapeutic engagement
• Community integration and goal-based documentation

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8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH

Phase: Business Formation and Facility Preparation
Timeline: 1–3 weeks

Phase: SDS Application and Site Inspection
Timeline: 60–90 days

Phase: Staff Onboarding and Documentation Setup
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

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10. SCOPE OF WORK

• Business formation (LLC, EIN, NPI)
• Facility readiness and SDS application assistance
• Development of Adult Day Services Policy & Procedure Manual
• Daily attendance logs, activity calendars, and goal tracking templates
• Medicaid enrollment and MMIS billing setup
• WEBSITE, DOMAIN, AND EMAIL SETUP
• CLIENT INTAKE AND DAY PROGRAM PARTICIPATION PACKET
• STAFF TRAINING GUIDES AND PERFORMANCE EVALUATION TOOLS
• COMPLIANCE CHECKLISTS AND INCIDENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
• COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND REFERRAL NETWORKING STRATEGIES

WAIVER CONSULTING GROUP'S START-UP ASSISTANCE SERVICE — ALASKA ADULT DAY SERVICES PROVIDER

We help providers launch safe, engaging, and compliant Adult Day Services under Alaska’s HCBS Medicaid Waiver system.

​To get started, click the link to request portal access.