• COVID-19 Public Health Emergency ended May 11, 2023
• Proposed Updates to the AlaskaCare Defined Benefit Retiree Health Plan: Please Share Your Thoughts!
• Reminder: Notify Us of Your Dependent Status Changes
• Have you Checked your Beneficiaries Lately?
• Keep Your Bones Strong
• Future AlaskaCare Town Hall Event
• We Value Your Feedback!
• Health Benefit Contact Information

COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
Ended May 11, 2023

The federal government announced it will end the COVID-19 public health emergency and national emergency declarations on May 11, 2023. Here at AlaskaCare, we made temporary changes, permanent changes, and limited benefit expansions to your health plan during the public health COVID-19 response to assist you in accessing the care you needed. While the national public health emergency is set to end, your health benefits will continue to be there when you need them.

Here is what you need to know:

COVID-19 Vaccines Remains Covered
Your AlaskaCare health plan covers preventive vaccines under both the medical and pharmacy plans. AlaskaCare members receive preventive vaccines, including the COVID-19 vaccine, at no cost when received at a network pharmacy or from a network provider. Standard cost-sharing provisions apply for non-preventive vaccines.

COVID-19 Treatment Remains Covered
Your AlaskaCare health plan covers your medically necessary treatment when diagnosed with COVID-19, the same as other covered medical expenses. You must first meet the annual deductible of $150 per person. After you meet the annual deductible, the Medical Plan pays 80% or more for covered expenses up to the annual individual out-of-pocket limit of $800. When your deductible is satisfied and your out-of-pocket maximum is reached, the Medical Plan pays 100% of most covered medical expenses for the rest of the benefit year.

COVID-19 Laboratory Testing Remains Covered
Your AlaskaCare health plan covers laboratory testing for COVID-19, the same as other covered diagnostic testing expenses. Standard cost-sharing provisions apply for COVID-19 laboratory tests (Polymerase Chain Reaction or “PCR” and antigen tests) that are deemed medically necessary under the terms of the plan.

Over-the-Counter COVID-19 Testing Temporary coverage expires on June 30, 2023
Your AlaskaCare health plan pharmacy benefit will continue to cover at-home, over-the-counter, FDA-authorized COVID-19 tests, 8 per month per covered person through June 30, 2023. Beginning July 1, 2023, the temporary coverage for over-the-counter COVID-19 test kits will no longer be in effect. COVID-19 laboratory testing (PCR and antigen tests) will continue to be covered per the plan provisions.

Telemedicine Services Remains Covered
Your AlaskaCare plan covered telemedicine before and during the COVID-19 public health emergency and will continue to cover telemedicine services delivered by your regular providers per the plan provisions. If you or your provider are unsure which telehealth services are eligible for coverage, please contact the Aetna health concierge at (855) 784-8646 for more information.

Proposed Updates to the AlaskaCare Defined Benefit Retiree Health Plan: Please Share Your Thoughts!

The Department of Administration, Division of Retirement and Benefits, is working with the Retiree Health Plan Advisory Board (RHPAB) to review the following proposed updates to the AlaskaCare Defined Benefit (DB) Retiree Health Plan.

• Update to the Lifetime Benefit Maximum
• Addition of Supplemental Non-Emergent Surgery and Travel Benefits
• Addition of Virtual Physical Therapy and Musculoskeletal Care

The proposals are available on the Latest News webpage for review. Please comment on the proposed updates by submitting comments:

• By Mail:
  • State of Alaska Department of Administration
    Division of Retirement and Benefits
    P.O. Box 110203
    Juneau AK, 99811-0203
• By Email:
  • doa.drb.alaskacare.retiree.plan@alaska.gov.

Public comments will be accepted through 4:30 pm Alaska time on June 16, 2023.

A public teleconference will be held on Wednesday, May 31, at 2 p.m. Alaska time.

• Teleconference #: (907) 202-7104
• ID #: 401 987 11

Have Questions? Learn More at the Upcoming Retiree Townhall Event!

Please join us for a Retiree Townhall Event on May 18, at 10 a.m. AKDT, we will provide an overview of the proposed updates to the AlaskaCare Retiree DB Health Plan.

Register in advance here to make sure your phone number is on the call list. If you don’t want to register or participate over the phone, you can listen online. The audio of the call will be streamed live on the registration page and on the Division’s Facebook page once the event begins.

For more information about the AlaskaCare plans, visit AlaskaCare.gov.

If you have questions about the AlaskaCare Retiree DB Health Plan or your benefits, please contact the Division at (907) 465-4460.

Reminder: Notify Us of Your Dependent Status Changes

If you have a dependent that will be graduating from college, remember to notify the Division of Retirement and Benefits of their change in status. You should also notify the Division if you need to add or remove dependents due to marriage, divorce, birth, death, or adoption. You can find the Dependent Status Change form on the Division's website.

In accordance with Alaska Statutes 39.35.680(12) and 14.25.220(13):

• If your dependent child is under 23 years old, they are required to be registered at and attending on a full-time basis an accredited educational or technical institution recognized by the Department of Education and Early Development.
  
  
• If your dependent child is age 19 or older and is not a full-time student, then the dependent is eligible for coverage only if they are totally and permanently disabled, and the disability was documented prior to their 23rd birthday.

Let us and Aetna know if your dependent child has recently become a full-time student. The AlaskaCare Verification of Student Status Form is available on the AlaskaCare website.

Have you Checked your Beneficiaries Lately?

Make sure your money goes where you want it to by keeping your beneficiaries up-to-date on your accounts. Any time you have a major life event, especially if you have married, divorced, or had children, it’s a good time to review your policies.

For further information and beneficiary forms, visit our website.

Keep Your Bones Strong

Many people with osteoporosis don't know they have it until they break a bone. If you think you may be at risk, talk with your doctor about getting a bone mass measurement. This test can help prevent or detect osteoporosis at an early stage when treatment works best.

Medicare Part B covers a bone mass measurement once every 24 months (more often if medically necessary) — at no cost to you when your doctor orders it.

Learn More

Along with getting tested, here are more ways to keep your bones strong:

• Eat foods that support bone health, like leafy green vegetables and fish.
• Exercise by doing weight-bearing activities, like strength training or hiking.
• Don't smoke, and limit your alcohol consumption.

Remember: Your risk of osteoporosis grows as you get older. 1 in 5 women and 1 in 20 men over the age of 50 will develop osteoporosis, so it's important to take steps early to help protect your bones!

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:

Upcoming Town Hall Events:

• Thursday, May 18, 2023, at 10 a.m. Alaska Time
• Thursday, June 15, 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: Optum Rx
Member Services: (855) 409-6999