1. (a) To request approval of an alternative accreditation under 7 AAC 70.150(a)(2) or (b)(1)(D), a behavioral health services provider must submit a written request to the department that includes the documentation necessary for the department to evaluate the alternative accreditation agency and that agency's accreditation process.

2. (b) At a minimum, an alternative accreditation agency

   1. (1) must evaluate the behavioral health services provider's policies and procedures in areas of

      1. (A) provider ethics;
      2. (B) admissions;
      3. (C) client rights;
      4. (D) service delivery;
      5. (E) medication management;
      6. (F) infection control;
      7. (G) performance measures and quality improvement;
      8. (H) leadership and organizational structure;
      9. (I) physical environment;
      10. (J) human resources; and
      11. (K) information systems management;
   2. (2) must use standardized evaluation tools to evaluate the provider;
   3. (3) must demonstrate a business practice that updates the accreditation agency's standards on a continuous basis to meet changes in industry standards;
   4. (4) must assist the provider with maintaining or improving quality of care through a variety of technical assistance tools;
   5. (5) must be capable of evaluating the provider's ability to safely and effectively provide behavioral health clinic services, behavioral health rehabilitation services, withdrawal management services, or residential substance use disorder services;
   6. (6) must use independent evaluation of providers; and
   7. (7) may not be affiliated directly or indirectly with a provider.

3. (c) The department will approve an alternative accreditation if

   1. (1) the minimum standards in (b) of this section are met;
   2. (2) the accreditation is appropriate for the behavioral health services provider's scope of practice; and
   3. (3) the accreditation agency's accreditation standards meet or exceed the interim standards of operation under 7 AAC 70.200 - 7 AAC 70.260.
4. (d) The department will notify a behavioral health services provider in writing of its decision. A provider may appeal the department's decision under this section in accordance with AS 44.62.330 - 44.62.630.

(Eff. 10/1/2011, Register 199; am 4/24/2020, Register 234)

Authority: AS 47.05.010, AS 47.30.477, AS 47.30.570, AS 47.30.470, AS 47.30.530, AS 47.37.140, AS 47.30.475, AS 47.30.540