By the Journal of Commerce

The Department of Health and Social Services is proposing regulations to change the assessment requirements for clients served by personal care assistants and to repeal the requirement for a personal care assistant to enroll as a provider and obtain an identification number. Regulations adopted earlier this year requiring identification numbers proved to be an unnecessary burden on PCA providers.

Individuals and organizations will have an opportunity to offer written comments about PCA regulations regarding payment for services for personal care assistants and client assessments. Interested parties may comment on the proposed regulation changes, including the potential costs to private persons of complying with the proposed changes, by submitting written comments to Patrick Sidmore, Division of Senior and Disabilities Services, Department of Health and Social Services, PO Box 110680, Juneau, AK 99811-0680, so that they are received no later than 4 p.m. on Jan. 30, 2007.

Public comment may also be submitted to Patrick Sidmore by fax at (907) 465-1170 or by e-mail to patrick_sidmore@health.state.ak.us.

For a copy of the proposed regulation changes, contact Sidmore or go to the Department of Health and Social Services public notice Web site at www.hss.state.ak.us/publicnotice/regulations.cfm.