Alaska adopts Medicaid rules for specialized group home and family home habilitation

The Alaska Department of Health has adopted and filed changes to Medicaid coverage and payment for specialized group home and family home habilitation services, according to a notice posted Friday on Alaska Online Public Notices. Disability providers and family advocates say the new payment rates may still be too low to sustain services or preserve access for Alaskans who rely on them.

The changes add the two services as covered, certify providers, and update the rate chart and conditions of participation. The rules define when residential habilitation counts as specialized, which determines provider certification and payment.

The department's May 1 notice said it expected no increased appropriation. A public hearing was scheduled for June 12, and written comments closed June 22.

The fiscal 2026 rate chart pays $468.17 a day for group home habilitation and $195.06 a day for family home habilitation for adults. A department rate evaluation proposes $470.26 a day for group homes in state fiscal 2027.