FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Mar. 1, 2006
Contact:
Jeff Kasper, (907) 465-8194, Cell (907) 321-3158
Ross Soboleff, (907) 465-1611, Cell (907) 321-3838
Personal Care Assistant regulations filed by Lt. Governor’s Office, effective April 1
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( Juneau, Alaska) — New regulations for the Department of Health and Social Services’ Personal Care Assistant Program were filed today by the Lt. Governor’s Office and will become effective April 1, 2006.
The DHSS Personal Care Assistant program provides assistance to elderly and disabled individuals who need help with daily living tasks, such as dressing, eating, or bathing. The Medicaid-funded program provides individuals the opportunity to live in their own home or community instead of living in a long-term care institution or facility. Personal care assistance is available through agencies that manage all details of care for clients, or through a consumer-directed program, where the client or their representative manages the details of care.
The changes to the regulations clarify and strengthen the requirements for Personal Care Assistant client assessments and eligibility. The changes also more clearly define provider requirements, while making the Personal Care Assistant program more effective and accountable as well as ensuring those most in need of the services.
The regulation process included several workshops, public hearings and extensive evaluation of public comment. Since these regulations will impact how patients are assessed for Personal Care Assistant services, the Division of Senior and Disability Services is committed to providing ongoing support and guidance to providers, care coordinators, family members and recipients of the services. For more information on the Personal Care Assistant regulations, contact the Division of Senior and Disability Services at 465-3372.
A copy of the adopted regulations is available online on the DHSS Public Notices page: www.hss.state.ak.us/publicnotice/regulations.cfm.
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Personal Care Assistant Regulations Filed, Fact Sheet (PDF 124KB)
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