Alaskans in emergency situations waiting for in-home help can start applying for services under a partial lifting of a two-month-old federal ban on new admissions to certain Medicaid programs. The programs at issue serve people with serious health needs who would be in a hospital, nursing home or other institution without home-based help.

Under the decision announced Monday, people can apply for help in specified situations, including six months or less to live, death of a caregiver, or a recommendation from protective services.

Meanwhile, a class action lawsuit against the state and federal governments seeking an immediate end to the moratorium continues.

The federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services put the ban on new admissions in place June 26 because of concerns the state was mismanaging the programs.

State officials say they've made progress since the moratorium was put in place. Seven new assessors have been hired. More than 500 annual evaluations have been conducted, senior and disabilities services director Rebecca Hilgendorf said in a written statement Monday.

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