NOTICE OF PROPOSED CHANGES ON DIAGNOSTIC STANDARDS FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES IN THE REGULATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES
BRIEF DESCRIPTION The Department of Health & Social Services proposes to change regulations on Diagnostic Standards for Behavioral Health Services. |
The Department of Health & Social Services proposes to adopt regulation changes in Title 7 Health & Social Services of the Alaska Administrative Code dealing with revisions to diagnostic standards of reference and associated definitions including the following:
- 7 AAC 70 is proposed to be changed as follows:
7 AAC 70.110 expands diagnostic standards of reference to include DSM-5 and ICD-10. 7 AAC 70.120 expands diagnostic standards of reference to include DSM-5 and ICD-10. 7 AAC 70.910 adopts by reference the DSM-5, ICD-10 and the ASAM-3. 7 AAC 70.990 revises definitions for: adult experiencing a serious mental illness (SMI); child experiencing a significant emotional disturbance (SED); “mental, emotional, or behavioral disorder” to include ICD-10 and DC: 0-3 as optional diagnostic standards of reference; “substance use disorder” to include ICD-10 as optional diagnostic standard of reference, and include tobacco as an additional substance for the focus of treatment.
- 7 AAC 135 is proposed to be changed as follows:
- 7 AAC 135.110 repeals the requirement for DSM-IV multi-axial diagnosis for the various assessments, and adds the DSM-5, ICD-10, and DC: 0-3 as optional diagnostic standards of reference.
- 7 AAC 135.130 repeals the requirement for DSM-IV multi-axial diagnosis for mental health and psychiatric assessments, and adds the DSM-5, ICD-10, and DC: 0-3 as optional diagnostic standards of reference; also provides clarifying language for treatment recommendations requirements.
- 7 AAC 160 is proposed to be changed as follows:
- 7 AAC 160.900 adopts by reference the ICD-10 and the DC: 0-3 and billing manuals.
- 7 AAC 160.990 revises the definitions for SMI and SED as written in 7 AAC 70.990.
You may comment on the proposed regulation changes, including the potential costs to private persons of complying with the proposed changes, by submitting written comments to Teri Keklak at the Division of Behavioral Health, 3601 C Street Suite 878, Anchorage, AK 99503. Additionally, the Department of Health & Social Services will accept comments by facsimile at (907) 269-3623 and by electronic mail at teri.keklak@alaska.gov . The comments must be received no later than 5 p.m. on September 21, 2015.
You may submit written questions relevant to the proposed action to Teri Keklak at the Division of Behavioral Health, 3601 C Street Suite 878, Anchorage, AK 99503. Additionally, the Department of Health & Social Services will accept comments by facsimile at (907) 269-3623 and by electronic mail at teri.keklak@alaska.gov. The questions must be received at least 10 days before the end of the public comment period. The Department of Health & Social Services will aggregate its response to substantially similar questions and make the questions and response available on the Department’s website. The Department of Health & Social Services may, but is not required to, answer written questions received after the 10-day cut-off date and before the end of the comment period.
If you are a person with a disability who needs a special accommodation in order to participate in this process, please contact Teri Keklak at (907) 269-2050 no later than September 4, 2015, to ensure that any necessary accommodations can be provided.
A copy of the proposed regulation changes is available on the Alaska Online Public Notice System and/or through the electronic link to the complete text on the Alaska Online Public Notice System at https://aws.state.ak.us/OnlinePublicNotices/default.aspx and by contacting Teri Keklak at the Division of Behavioral Health, 3601 C Street Suite 878, Anchorage, AK 99503 or (907) 269-2050.
After the public comment period ends, the Department of Health & Social Services will either adopt the proposed regulation changes or other provisions dealing with the same subject, without further notice, or decide to take no action. The language of the final regulations may be different from that of the proposed regulations. You should comment during the time allowed if your interests could be affected.
Statutory Authority: AS 47.05.010; AS 47.07.030; AS 47.07.040; AS 47.30.470; AS 47.30.475; AS 47.30.477; AS 47.30.530; AS 47.30.540; AS 47.30.570; AS 47.37.140.
Statutes Being Implemented, Interpreted, or Made Specific: AS 47.05.010; AS 47.07.030; AS 47.07.040; AS 47.30.470; AS 47.30.475; AS 47.30.477; AS 47.30.530; AS 47.30.540; AS 47.30.570; AS 47.37.140.
Fiscal Information: The proposed regulation changes are not expected to require an increased appropriation.
Date: 08/18/15
/s/Valerie “Nurr’araaluk” Davidson, Commissioner
Department of Health & Social Services