1. (a) The department will pay for outpatient nutrition services provided to a recipient who is

   1. (1) pregnant;

   2. (2) consistent with the criteria in (b) of this section, determined to be at high risk nutritionally by

      1. (A) a physician, an advanced practice registered nurse, or a physician assistant who may order those services within the scope of the practitioner's license or certification; or
      2. (B) a licensed dietitian or nutritionist employed by a hospital or the state's Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) under 42 U.S.C. 1786.

2. (b) A pregnant recipient is at high risk nutritionally if the recipient

   1. (1) has a chronic or metabolic disease;
   2. (2) has a disease or condition that requires a prescribed therapeutic diet;
   3. (3) was underweight before conception;
   4. (4) has inadequate or excessive weight gain during pregnancy;
   5. (5) has a history of substance abuse;
   6. (6) has a history of low birth-weight infants;
   7. (7) has multiple fetuses;
   8. (8) has anemia;
   9. (9) has intrauterine growth retardation; or
   10. (10) is less than 16 years of age.

3. (c) The department will pay for the following nutrition services provided to a pregnant woman who meets the requirements of (a) and (b) of this section:

   1. (1) one initial assessment, not to exceed one hour, in a calendar year;
   2. (2) up to 12 hours of services in a calendar year for counseling and follow-up care after the initial assessment;

   3. (3) more than 12 hours of service in a calendar year if those hours are

      1. (A) medically justified and prescribed by a physician, an advanced practice registered nurse, or a physician assistant who may order those services within the scope of the practitioner's license; and
      2. (B) given prior authorization by the department.

(Eff. 2/1/2010, Register 193; am 5/1/2016, Register 218; am 4/24/2020, Register 234)

Authority: AS 47.05.010, AS 47.07.030, AS 47.07.040