DELIVERING CLINICAL AND PERSONALIZED MEDICAL CARE TO INDIVIDUALS IN THE COMFORT OF THEIR OWN HOMES

Home Health Care Services in Alaska provide medically necessary, in-home services for individuals with chronic illnesses, disabilities, or recovery needs under Alaska’s Medicaid programs and Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waiver programs. These services are designed to prevent unnecessary institutionalization by offering skilled nursing, therapeutic, and medical support directly in the individual's residence, supporting safety, healing, and independence.

1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: Alaska Department of Health – Division of Senior and Disabilities Services (SDS)
Role: Approves providers, monitors service delivery, and ensures HCBS compliance

Agency: Alaska Department of Health – Division of Health Care Services (HCS)
Role: Licenses Home Health Agencies (HHAs) and enforces healthcare regulations

Agency: Alaska Medicaid (under the Department of Health)
Role: Handles Medicaid provider enrollment and reimbursement for home health care services

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

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2. HOME HEALTH CARE SERVICE OVERVIEW

Home Health Care Services include skilled medical and therapeutic care delivered in an individual's home. Services are based on a physician’s order and/or authorized through the person-centered care plan for individuals on HCBS waivers.

Approved providers may deliver:

• Skilled nursing (e.g., wound care, injections, medication management)
• Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy
• Home health aide services (e.g., bathing, mobility support, vitals monitoring)
• Medical social work and care coordination
• Chronic condition management and post-hospital care
• Health education and training for patients and caregivers

Services must be intermittent, part-time, and focused on recovery, stability, or maintenance of health conditions.

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)
• Obtain a State of Alaska Home Health Agency (HHA) License through the Division of Health Care Services
• Comply with Alaska Administrative Code (7 AAC 12) for home health agencies
• Hire licensed and credentialed medical professionals
• Maintain malpractice, general liability, and worker’s compensation insurance
• Establish secure electronic health record (EHR) and documentation systems

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4. SDS & STATE LICENSING ENROLLMENT PROCESS

• Initial Interest and Licensing Application:
• Apply for Home Health Agency License via the Division of Health Care Services

Prepare for licensing survey, including compliance with staff credentialing, patient rights, and infection control protocols

• SDS Provider Application:
• Contact SDS to request the HCBS Provider Application for Home Health Services (if providing under a waiver)
• Submit plan of care templates, supervisory protocols, and medical documentation procedures

Readiness Review:

• Home health license inspection by the State of Alaska
• SDS may evaluate documentation systems, clinical staffing, and service delivery readiness
• Review of confidentiality, HIPAA compliance, and care quality procedures

Approval & Medicaid Enrollment:

• Once licensed and SDS-approved, enroll as a Medicaid provider through Alaska MMIS
• Activate applicable billing codes for home health and waiver-specific services
• Finalize Medicaid provider agreement and configure billing systems

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5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

• Articles of Incorporation or Business License
• IRS EIN Letter
• NPI confirmation
• Alaska Home Health Agency License
• SDS Waiver Provider Application (if applicable)
• Proof of physical office and service delivery area in Alaska

SDS-Compliant Policy & Procedure Manual including:

• Clinical intake and physician order protocols
• Nursing and therapy documentation templates
• Infection control and medication administration procedures
• HIPAA-compliant data management and communication systems
• Emergency response and service interruption policies
• Patient rights, grievance, and informed consent documentation
• Staff hiring, training, supervision, and license verification logs
• Quality assurance, incident reporting, and utilization review procedures

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6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Clinical Director / Director of Nursing
Requirements: Registered Nurse (RN) with home health and supervisory experience

Role: Home Health Aide / Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
Requirements: Alaska CNA license, CPR certification, background check

Role: Skilled Nurse (RN or LPN), Therapists (PT, OT, SLP), Medical Social Worker
Requirements: Alaska licensure in respective field, clinical experience, compliance with continuing education

All staff must complete:

• SDS orientation (if waiver-funded)
• Training on Medicaid documentation and person-centered planning
• HIPAA, infection control, emergency preparedness, and abuse prevention training
• Annual renewals of CPR/First Aid and professional licensure

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7. MEDICAID WAIVER SERVICES

The following Alaska Medicaid Waivers authorize Home Health Care Services when clinically appropriate:

• 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:

• Intermittent skilled nursing and therapy services in the home
• Health education and chronic disease management
• Short-term rehabilitative services post-hospitalization
• Documentation aligned with Medicaid billing and care plan requirements

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8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH

Phase: Business Formation and Licensing Preparation
Timeline: 2–4 weeks

Phase: State Home Health License Application & Survey
Timeline: 90–120 days

Phase: SDS Application and Clinical Readiness Review
Timeline: 45–60 days

Phase: Medicaid Enrollment and MMIS Billing Setup
Timeline: 45–60 days

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9. CONTACT INFORMATION

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

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)
• Home Health Agency license application support and readiness survey prep
• SDS waiver application (if applicable)
• Development of Home Health Care Policy & Procedure Manual
• Templates for care plans, nursing notes, and therapy documentation
• Medicaid enrollment and MMIS billing setup
• WEBSITE, DOMAIN, AND EMAIL SETUP
• CLINICAL STAFF RECRUITMENT TEMPLATES AND LICENSE TRACKERS
• EHR SYSTEM GUIDANCE AND COMPLIANCE CHECKLISTS
• PATIENT INTAKE, CONSENT, AND MEDICAL ASSESSMENT PACKETS
• QUALITY ASSURANCE SYSTEMS AND AUDIT PREPARATION TOOLS

WAIVER CONSULTING GROUP'S START-UP ASSISTANCE SERVICE — ALASKA HOME HEALTH CARE SERVICES PROVIDER

We help new and existing agencies become licensed and Medicaid-compliant Home Health Care providers under Alaska’s HCBS and clinical Medicaid programs.

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