Alaska Administrative Code
Title 7 - Health and Social Services
Part 4 - Children's Services and Juvenile Justice
Chapter 53 - Social Services
Article 1 - Child Foster Care Payment Rates and Difficulty-of-Care Augmentation
7 AAC 53.060 - Difficulty-of-care augmented rates

(a) In addition to the base rate under 7 AAC 53.030 and subject to appropriation, the department may approve difficulty-of-care augmented rates for a child, if after assessment the department determines that the child's needs are at a level that exceeds the basic care provided in a licensed foster home.

(b) A request for a difficulty-of-care augmented rate assessment must be made in writing and submitted

(c) Once requested and after assessment, the department will determine the child's eligibility for a difficulty-of-care augmented rate based on the child's current needs. The department will notify the foster parent of the child's eligibility for and the department's determination of a difficulty-of-care augmented rate for the child.

(d) If approved, the department will reassess difficulty-of-care augmented rates in this section at least every six months, and will compute the necessary rate change. Children in care are expected to improve with the provision of foster care services, and the department may reduce rates as appropriate. If the department determines that a rate reduction is appropriate, the department will provide notice to the foster parents when the reduction is effective.

(e) A foster parent has the right to request a review under 7 AAC 54.500 or an evidentiary hearing under 7 AAC 54.510 to review a decision not to approve or a decision to reduce or terminate difficulty-of-care augmented rates under this section.

(f) Upon application or referral, the department will determine the difficulty-of-care augmented rate as follows:

(g) Difficulty-of-care augmented rates apply only to services paid for under this section through the departmental office that oversees children's services or the departmental division that oversees juvenile justice. Difficulty-of-care augmented rates do not apply to services paid for under 7 AAC 135 (Medicaid coverage; behavioral health services) through the Department of Health division that oversees behavioral health or under 7 AAC 130 (Medicaid coverage; home and community-based waiver services) through the Department of Health division that oversees home and community-based waiver services. The departmental office that oversees children's services and the departmental division that oversees juvenile justice may not pay for services covered under 7 AAC 105 - 160 (Medicaid coverage and payment) through another office or division of the Department of Health or the Department of Family and Community Services. Any determination about the continuation of Medicaid services must be made through the Department of Health office or division that oversees those particular services.