AlaskaCare Retiree Health News | Monthly e-newsletter | March 2021
Alaska Department of Administration sent this bulletin at 03/18/2021 08:29 AM AKDTHaving trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.
AlaskaCare Retiree Health News
| Volume 34| March 2021 |
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Governor Mike Dunleavy announced the COVID-19 vaccine is now available |
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To schedule a vaccine appointment, visit covidvax.alaska.gov or call (907) 646-3322. If all slots are full in your area, please keep checking back. As more vaccines become available, more time slots will be added to the scheduling calendar. The AlaskaCare health plan covers 100% of the cost for FDA approved COVID-19 vaccines under both the medical and pharmacy plans, at any authorized site of care. AlaskaCare members receive the vaccine at no cost. View the press release issued by Governor Mike Dunleavy. |
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All organizations and providers participating in the CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Program:
Individuals aware of any potential violations of these requirements are encouraged to report them to the Office of the Inspector General, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, by calling (800) HHS-TIPS or at tips.hss.gov. More Information: |
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Medicare Part D IRMAA Reimbursement Extension—December 2021
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Are you enrolled in the AlaskaCare enhanced Employer Group Waiver Plan(EGWP)? Are you being assessed a premium surcharge for your Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage? If you answered yes to both questions, you are eligible for reimbursement from AlaskaCare for your Medicare Part D Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA). The deadline for submitting reimbursement requests for 2020 IRMAA charges is December 31, 2021. What is an IRMAA? Certain high-income retirees are assessed an extra premium surcharge by Medicare, known as an Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount. This is similar to the surcharge for high-income enrollees in Medicare Part B plan, or Medicare Part D prescription drug plan. If you are an individual or a married couple earning more than the threshold, you will be assessed an extra surcharge for being enrolled in the AlaskaCare EGWP because it is a group Medicare Part D plan. Retirees whose household income is below this threshold will not be assessed the IRMAA premium surcharge. You can be reimbursed if you are assessed the Medicare Part D IRMAA surcharge related to your AlaskaCare prescription drug coverage. Follow these steps to establish your 2021 IRMAA reimbursement account online:
If you have any questions on how to submit your documents online or if you do not have internet access and would like to submit paper documentation, please contact OptumRx at (855) 409-6999. |
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Long-Term Care: Plan for the Future
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You've worked hard to make sure that you have the financial security you want for you and your family, and you’ve tried to plan for the surprises that life may bring in the future. But even the most well-thought-out plans may not be enough to prepare you for the unexpected costs associated with long-term care. Long term care insurance is coverage that will pay licensed nursing care facilities, in-home care provided by a licensed home health care agency, and adult day care in the event you are unable to care for yourself because of a chronic condition or disability. Long-term care insurance can be a smart purchase when you consider that 70% of those turning age 65 today will need some type of long-term care, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. With Americans living longer than ever, this could mean needing some extra help with everyday activities as you age. The benefits of long-term care insurance go beyond what your health insurance may cover by reimbursing you for services needed to help you maintain your lifestyle if age, injury, illness, or a cognitive impairment makes it challenging for you to take care of yourself. Long-term care may benefit:
Many think that government programs such as Medicare will pay for all of their future long-term care needs. Surprisingly, they may only pay for some of these services and have many restrictions. The State of Alaska is pleased to offer a voluntary Long-Term Care (LTC) Plan for benefit recipients and their spouses. The options available under this LTC Plan provide a range of health and social services for people who suffer a severe cognitive impairment or, because of a chronic condition, need help with the basic activities of daily living. You must apply for this coverage before appointment to your first benefit from any retirement system. If you do not apply for coverage at the time of retirement, you waive your right to apply for this coverage at a later date. There are three option available, Silver, Gold and Platinum. Long Term Care Benefit Summary
For more information, contact:
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The state’s Medicare Information Office is hosting two Social Security Presentations, Social Security Overview and Social Security Disability Insurance Presentation by Kirk Larson, the Washington Public Affairs Specialist for the Social Security Administration. To attend these events, please register for each event using the registration links below. Social Security Overview
Social Security Disability Insurance
To attend these events, please register for the event using the registration link. |
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The AlaskaCare health and dental plans provide members with the right to appeal claims and precertification that have been denied by claims administrators. If your health plan denies payment for a treatment or drug that you believe should be covered, you have the right to challenge that decision through the appeal process. Effective January 1, 2018, if the third-party claims administrator or external review organization uphold their original denial of your appeal, you have the right to appeal to the Division of Retirement and Benefits. This is called a level III appeal. Should the Division also uphold the denial, you retain the legal right to take the appeal to the Office of Administrative Hearings. For more information see the AlaskaCare Health and Dental Appeal Guides located here. |
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Aetna’s Alaska Network Continues to Grow! Please help us in welcoming these new providers:
By utilizing the in-network providers within the AlaskaCare plan, members save substantially. Network providers have agreed on service charges, avoiding surprise bills. To find an in-network provider, or to see if your provider is in-network, call the Aetna Concierge at (855) 784-8646 or use the online DocFind tool. |
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Town Hall Events are group calls hosted by the Alaska Department of Administration, Division of Retirement and Benefits for all interested AlaskaCare retirees and families to ask questions about the AlaskaCare health plans. You can join the call to learn more about your health plan and ask Division staff any questions you have about your benefits. This format gives retirees a chance to connect directly with Division staff to hear the latest news on all things AlaskaCare, raise questions, share comments, and learn more about the health plans. Pre-register now online. Please join us for a Town Hall event on: |
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As State of Alaska retiree, your input is valued and important. Below, please see a list of ways to contact us with your feedback. Also, a full list of AlaskaCare health plan and partner contact information can be found on our website. AlaskaCare – Plan Administrator
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