HOME HEALTH CARE SERVICES PROVIDER IN ALASKA

Fatumata Kaba
4 days ago
4 min read

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Scope of Work: