ADULT DAY SERVICES PROVIDER IN ALASKA
- Fatumata Kaba
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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

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.
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
Our Client Portal offers a wealth of resources that you can explore related to various programs and state requirements.
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