COVID-19—What Your AlaskaCare Health Plan is Doing for You

COVID-19: What Your AlaskaCare Health Plan is Doing for You

The COVID-19 outbreak has caused us all to make adjustments and changes to our daily routines. Here at AlaskaCare, we made temporary changes and limited benefit expansions to your health plan to support the public health COVID-19 response, reduce the strain on the medical system, and to assist you in accessing the care you need. You can find up to date information about the temporary changes to your benefits at AlaskaCare.gov.

The Division of Retirement and Benefits (Division) is monitoring the status of the Alaska COVID-19 outbreak and will provide updates regarding the effective dates of the remaining temporary changes when more information becomes available. A copy of the Spring HealthMatters newsletter will be arriving in retiree's mailboxes soon, the publication includes the following information.

Beginning May 1, 2021, the following temporary changes are no longer effective:

• Cost Share Waiver for COVID-19 Inpatient Admissions and Emergency Transportation
  What does this mean for you? If you receive inpatient services or emergency transportation due to a COVID-19 diagnosis, your standard deductible and coinsurance will apply. As always, AlaskaCare will continue to cover medically necessary treatments or supplies required to treat COVID-19.
  
  
• Suspension of Incapacitated Dependent Verification
  What does this mean for you? If you cover an incapacitated dependent under your AlaskaCare retiree health plan, you must periodically provide verification that your dependent remains incapacitated. The Division of Retirement and Benefits will resume the standard verification process. Verified incapacitated dependents remain eligible for coverage by the AlaskaCare retiree health plan in accordance with the AlaskaCare Retiree Insurance Information Booklet.

The following benefits are permanently available to AlaskaCare members.

• COVID-19 Testing: If you receive laboratory tests to diagnose or treat COVID-19, AlaskaCare is waiving your deductible and coinsurance. To qualify, your laboratory tests must be deemed medically necessary under the terms of the plan and they must be FDA-approved.
  
  
• COVID-19 Vaccines: The AlaskaCare health plan covers the cost for FDA approved COVID-19 vaccines, subject to recognized charge, under both the medical and pharmacy plans, at any authorized site of care. AlaskaCare members receive the vaccine at no cost. 

The COVID-19 vaccine is now available for anyone living or working in Alaska who is age 16 or older.

Check availability with Alaska COVID vaccine providers in your community covidvax.alaska.gov.

Call the COVID Vaccine helpline if you need assistance making your vaccine appointment (907) 646-3322.

If you are located outside of Alaska, check with your local health authorities to find out more about vaccine eligibility and availability in your area.