AK SB183

Expands department authority to provide home and community-based services under waivers, the 1915(k) state plan option, and Medicaid personal care services subject to federal approval and appropriations.

Requires the department to conduct annual assessments to determine if recipients continue meeting eligibility standards before terminating or reducing payment for services.

Changes assessment standards: for service reductions, requires finding that recipients can function and live independently under reduced services; for terminations, applies different standards based on condition type (children with complex medical conditions, persons with intellectual/developmental disabilities, or older Alaskans/adults with physical disabilities).

Mandates an independent qualified health care professional review annual assessments, with specific qualifications defined by waiver type.

Requires written notification to recipients within 10 days of assessment results and within 10 days of eligibility determinations, with at least 30 days notice before changes take effect, and establishes appeal rights for recipients.

Allows legally responsible persons to provide personal care services to recipients under home and community-based services waivers or 1915(k) state plan options.

Permits recipients who experienced service reductions between January 1, 2019 and January 1, 2022 to apply for reassessment under the new standards.