IN-HOME SUPPORT SERVICES PROVIDER IN ALASKA

DELIVERING PERSONALIZED ASSISTANCE IN THE COMFORT AND SAFETY OF THE HOME ENVIRONMENT

In-Home Support Services in Alaska provide essential assistance to individuals with disabilities, chronic conditions, or functional limitations who require help with daily living activities but wish to remain in their own homes. These services are authorized under Alaska’s Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Medicaid Waiver programs and are designed to support health, safety, independence, and community participation.

1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: Alaska Department of Health – Division of Senior and Disabilities Services (SDS)

Role: Authorizes in-home service providers, ensures quality and compliance with care standards, and monitors service delivery

Agency: Alaska Medicaid (under the Department of Health)

Role: Handles Medicaid provider enrollment, claims reimbursement, and HCBS waiver billing compliance

Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Role: Provides federal oversight and ensures in-home services meet HCBS person-centered care requirements

2. IN-HOME SUPPORT SERVICE OVERVIEW

In-Home Support Services offer assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs), enabling individuals to remain safely and comfortably in their own homes rather than moving into institutional settings.

Approved providers may deliver:

• Personal care (bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting)

• Mobility and transfer assistance

• Meal preparation and feeding support

• Light housekeeping, laundry, and household organization

• Medication reminders and assistance (non-clinical)

• Support with communication devices or adaptive equipment

• Companionship and engagement in daily routines

• Transportation coordination and community activity support

All services must be based on the individual’s person-centered plan and tailored to their specific support needs and preferences.

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 business office or service base in Alaska

• Comply with SDS training and documentation requirements for in-home services

• Employ trained Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) or in-home aides

• Maintain a scheduling and documentation system for service delivery and staff supervision

4. SDS PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Initial Interest and Application:

• Contact SDS to request the In-Home Support Services provider application

• Attend provider orientation or informational sessions (recommended)

Application & Program Submission:

• Submit a detailed business and service plan describing how care will be delivered, tracked, and supervised

• Include job descriptions, sample service logs, and policies for staff training, emergency response, and client rights

• Provide proof of insurance, background check protocols, and internal quality assurance processes

Readiness Review:

• Background checks for all staff with direct contact responsibilities

• Review of policy and procedure manual, documentation templates, and emergency protocols

• SDS evaluation of readiness to deliver person-centered, compliant services in client homes

Approval & Medicaid Enrollment:

• After SDS approval, enroll through Alaska MMIS as a provider of In-Home Support Services

• Activate billing codes for appropriate waiver programs

• Complete provider agreement and configure electronic claims system access

5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

• Articles of Incorporation or Business License

• IRS EIN Letter

• NPI confirmation

• Proof of physical office or administrative base in Alaska

• SDS-Compliant Policy & Procedure Manual including:

  • Intake and service plan implementation procedures

  • ADL and IADL assistance protocols

  • Emergency and health-related risk management policies

  • Documentation of service hours and activities

  • Client rights and informed consent processes

  • Staff hiring, credentialing, and supervision systems

  • Complaint, incident, and grievance response procedures

  • Confidentiality, HIPAA, and abuse prevention policies

6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Program Administrator / In-Home Services Manager

Requirements: Experience in personal care services, Medicaid compliance, and staff supervision

Role: Direct Support Professional (DSP) / In-Home Aide

Requirements: High school diploma or GED, background check, CPR/First Aid certification (recommended), in-home care training

All staff must complete:

• SDS in-home services and waiver program training

• Client rights, privacy, and documentation protocols

• Ethics, abuse prevention, and cultural competency training

• Annual refreshers on safety, emergency response, and service delivery standards

7. MEDICAID WAIVER SERVICES

The following Alaska Medicaid Waivers authorize In-Home Support 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:

• ADL and IADL assistance as defined in the individual’s care plan

• In-home support services tailored to safety, wellness, and independence

• Detailed documentation and progress tracking for each service delivered

• Collaboration with care coordinators and interdisciplinary teams

8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH

Phase: Business Formation and Office Setup

Timeline: 1–2 weeks

Phase: SDS Application and Program Documentation

Timeline: 60–90 days

Phase: Staff Hiring and Compliance Readiness

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 IN-HOME SUPPORT SERVICES PROVIDER

We help new providers launch fully licensed, Medicaid-compliant In-Home Support Services programs under Alaska’s HCBS Waiver system.

Scope of Work:

• Business registration (LLC, EIN, NPI)

• SDS application support and compliance guidance

• Development of In-Home Services Policy & Procedure Manual

• Templates for service logs, consent forms, and care delivery tracking

• Medicaid enrollment and MMIS billing configuration

• WEBSITE, DOMAIN, AND EMAIL SETUP

• CLIENT INTAKE AND SERVICE PLAN IMPLEMENTATION PACKET

• MARKETING MATERIALS FOR CASE MANAGERS AND REFERRAL SOURCES

• STAFF TRAINING ON DOCUMENTATION, ADL SUPPORT, AND RISK MANAGEMENT

• QUALITY ASSURANCE TOOLS AND INCIDENT REPORTING TEMPLATES

• COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND CLIENT ACQUISITION STRATEGIES

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