• New Year—New Aetna ID Cards
• Notice of Proposed Changes
• EGWP Enrollees: 2022 IRMAA Submission Reminder
• Getting to Know your Benefits: Home Health Care
• 2023 AlaskaCare Retiree Health Plan Booklets
• Please Welcome the Following Providers to the Aetna Network!
• We Want to Hear from You – Retiree Town Hall Events
• We Value Your Feedback!
• Health Benefit Contact Information

New Year—New Aetna ID Cards

AlaskaCare members will be receiving new Aetna medical and vision-audio ID cards during January 2023. The cards are ready to use as soon as they arrive, no action is required on your part. You can use the physical ID card you received in the mail or optionally register on Aetna.com to use a digital version available on your mobile device. Don’t forget to show your provider your new card!

What’s New?

1. AlaskaCare Logo for Employee or Retiree
   The upper right corner of the card has an updated logo to help identify the AlaskaCare Employee or AlaskaCare Retiree plan.
   
   
2. Group Number (GRP)
   The group number (GRP) for all AlaskaCare members changed effective January 1, 2023.
   • Retiree Plan GRP = 181120 - ## - ### or 181121 - ## - ###
     
     

What other information is on my card?

The front of the card displays the Issuer number, member ID number, and subscriber and dependent information.

The back of the card displays information on your deductible and out-of-pocket maximums, provider network information, as well as information on how to contact Aetna Member Services for any questions.

Don’t Forget to Show your Provider your New Card!

Your member ID card is proof that you have health benefit coverage. Providers use the information from your member ID card to confirm they are part of your plan’s network and to bill your health plan for your care. 

If you have any questions about your Aetna ID card, contact the Aetna Concierge at (855) 784-8646.

Notice of Proposed Changes

in the Regulations of the Department of Administration, Division of Retirement and Benefits

The Department of Administration, Division of Retirement and Benefits (Division) has proposed changes to regulations in Title 2 of the Alaska Administrative Code, pertaining to the AlaskaCare Retiree Major Medical (medical) and Dental-Vision-Audio (DVA) insurance plans. These changes articulate the process that the Division will use to make changes to the medical plan, the DVA plan, and to amend the description of major medical insurance coverage published in the plan booklet.

The proposed regulatory changes include the following:

1. 2 AAC 39.390 will be amended to include new language and new subsections that describe the process for proposing changes and considering amendments to the terms of retiree major medical insurance coverage. The intent is to outline the considerations the Plan Administrator may evaluate when developing a proposed change or plan amendment and describe the public notice process and opportunity to comment on proposed changes.
   
   
2. 2 AAC 39.399 will be amended to further define the term “administrator” and to define the terms “major medical insurance coverage” and “plan booklet.”
   
   
3. 2 AAC 39.280 will be amended to include new language and new subsections that describe the process for proposing changes and considering amendments to the terms of retiree dental-vision-audio insurance coverage. The intent is to outline the considerations the Plan Administrator may evaluate when developing a proposed change or plan amendment, and describe the public notice process and opportunity to comment on proposed changes
   
   
4. 2 AAC 39.290 will be amended to further define the term “administrator” and to define the terms “dental-vision-audio insurance coverage” and “plan booklet.”

You may comment on the proposed regulation changes by submitting written comments to the Division of Retirement and Benefits at P.O. Box 110203, Juneau, AK 99811-0203, by fax at (907) 465-3086, and by electronic mail at doa.drb.alaskacare.retiree.plan@alaska.gov. Comments may also be submitted through the Alaska Online Public Notice System by accessing this notice on the system and using the comment link. The comments must be received no later than 4:30 p.m. Alaska Daylight Time on February 28, 2023.

A copy of the proposed regulation changes is available on the Alaska Online Public Notice System and by contacting AlaskaCare, Division of Retirement and Benefits at P.O. Box 110203, Juneau, Alaska 99811-0203, or by visiting AlaskaCare.gov.

After the public comment period ends, the Division of Retirement and Benefits will either adopt the proposed regulation changes or other provisions dealing with the same subject, without further notice or decide to take no action. The language of the final regulation may be different from that of the proposed regulation. You should comment during the time allowed if your interests could be affected. Written comments received are public records and are subject to public inspection.

• Statutory authority: AS 14.25.004; AS 14.25.005; AS 22.25.027; AS 39.35.004; AS 39.35.005.
• Statutes being implemented, interpreted, or made specific: AS 14.25.168; AS 22.25.090; AS 39.30.090; AS 39.35.535.
• Fiscal information: The proposed regulation changes are not expected to require an increased appropriation

EGWP Enrollees: 2022 IRMAA Submission Reminder

Certain high-income retirees who are Medicare eligible and enrolled in the AlaskaCare enhanced Employer Group Waiver Program (EGWP) pharmacy plan are required to pay a premium surcharge associated with Medicare Part D plans, known as an Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount, or IRMAA. This is required by Medicare and is the same type of surcharge that high-income enrollees already pay for a Medicare Part B plan.

Were you charged a Medicare Part D IRMAA for 2022? Here’s what you need to know:

If you are an individual who earned more than $87,000 or a married couple who earned more than $174,000 in 2019, you will be required to pay the IRMAA for 2022. Retirees enrolled in EGWP whose household income was below this threshold will not be subject to the IRMAA premium surcharge. If you are required to pay the IRMAA premium surcharge, the Division will reimburse you for the amount you are charged each month for the Part D IRMAA premium surcharge through a tax-advantaged health reimbursement arrangement (HRA) account, so the EGWP plan has no additional cost to you!

For steps on completing your 2022 IRMAA reimbursement, please visit our IRMAA webpage or contact OptumRx at (855) 409-6999.

The deadline to receive reimbursement for the 2022 Part D IRMAA is December 31, 2023.

Are you being charged a Medicare Part D IRMAA in 2023? Here’s what you need to know:

Because your income can change from year to year, you may be assessed an IRMAA surcharge one year, but not the next (or vice versa). That’s why it’s important to review your information annually. Every year in November, Social Security sends a letter outlining what the next year’s IRMAA premium surcharges are, if applicable to you. Once you receive your letter from Social Security or a bill from Medicare for your 2023 Part D IRMAA premium surcharge, you may complete the same steps listed on our IRMAA webpage to begin the reimbursement process for 2023.

Getting to Know your Benefits: Home Health Care

Home health care is a wide range of health care services that can be given in your home for an illness or injury. Home health care is usually less expensive, more convenient, and just as effective as care you get in a hospital or skilled nursing facility (SNF).

The AlaskaCare Retiree Defined Benefit Plan covers services and supplies provided by a home health care agency furnished to you at home for care in accordance with a home health care plan. A home health care plan provides for the treatment of a disease or injury that is deemed medically necessary by a physician. A physician’s order is needed to start care, and once your physician refers you for home health services, the home health care agency coordinates the services ordered.

Home health care treatment may include:

• Part-time or intermittent nursing care by a registered nurse or a licensed practical nurse;
  
  
• Part-time or intermittent home health aide services which consist primarily of caring for you;
  
  
• Physical, occupational, or speech therapy;
  
  
• Medical supplies, drugs, and medicines prescribed by a physician if they would have been covered had you been confined in a hospital or skilled nursing facility; and
  
  
• Laboratory services provided by or on behalf of a home health care agency if they would have been covered had you been confined in a hospital or skilled nursing facility.

A home health care agency is an organization that provides skilled nursing and other therapeutic services in the patient’s home, is associated with a professional policy-making group of at least one physician and one registered nurse supervising full-time, keeps complete medical records on each patient, is staffed by a full-time administrator, and meets licensing standards.

If Medicare is your primary insurance, you can view Medicare’s coverage of home health services at Medicare.gov.

For more information about AlaskaCare home health care benefits and coverage, contact the Aetna Concierge at (855) 784-8646.

2023 AlaskaCare Retiree Health Plan Booklets

Plan Booklets are available for all members of the AlaskaCare health plans, they are designed to help you understand your plan and the benefits it provides. Your plan booklet includes a benefit summary and information about plan coverage, how benefits are paid, travel coverage, precertification, what expenses are covered, and more.

For your convenience, the Plan Booklets are available on the AlaskaCare website. You can view the booklets online or download them to your computer.

• 2023 Defined Benefit (DB) Retiree Plan Booklet
• 2023 Defined Contribution Retirement (DCR) Retiree Plan Booklet

Please Welcome the Following Providers to the Aetna Network!

Aetna continues to expand the network of providers available to AlaskaCare members. Please join us in welcoming the following providers to the network.

We Want to Hear from You—Retiree Town Hall Events

Retiree 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. Town hall events occur on the third Thursday of each month, and you are welcome to join us.

You can pre-register now online to 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. Upcoming Town Hall Events:

Please join us for a Town Hall event on:

• Thursday, February 16, 2023, at 10 a.m. Alaska Time
• Thursday, March 16, 2023, at 10 a.m. Alaska Time

We Value Your Feedback!

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

• Toll-Free: (800) 821-2251
• In Juneau: (907) 465-4460
• TDD: (907) 465-2805
• Fax: (907) 465-3086
• Email: doa.drb.mscc@alaska.gov

Health Benefit Contact Information

Division of Retirement and Benefits
DRB Call Center: (907) 465-4460 | Toll-Free: (800) 821-2251

Medical Benefits: Aetna
Member Services: (855) 784-8646

Long Term Care Benefits: CHCS Services, Inc.
Member Services: (888) 287-7116

Dental Benefits: Moda/Delta Dental
Member Services: (855) 718-1768

Pharmacy Benefits: OptumRx
Member Services: (855) 409-6999