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How to Give a Family Member or Caregiver Permission to Call Medicare on your Behalf
Would you like a family member or caregiver to be able to call Medicare on your behalf? Medicare can't give your personal health information to anyone unless they have permission in writing first. There are two ways you can give permission:
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Print and fill out Medicare Form CMS-10106, "Authorization to Disclose Personal Health Information" and mail it in:
Medicare CCO, Written Authorization Dept.
PO Box 1270
Lawrence, KS 66044
Submit the form online at mymedicare.gov.
You can call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) for more information.
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| 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.
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Effective January 1, 2022, the Division of Retirement and Benefits expanded preventive care coverage to the Retiree Defined Benefit health plan.
You don’t need to feel sick in order to see your doctor. In fact, the best time to go might be when you feel well. Perhaps you need a flu shot or a screening test. Or maybe you’re just looking for some health tips. That’s preventive care—and it can help you stay healthy or catch health issues early.
AlaskaCare covers preventive care for you and your eligible dependents. There are no copays, deductibles, or coinsurance for covered preventive services when you see a network provider. Call your doctor to schedule your appointment and be on your way to good health.
What Preventive Services are Covered?
Preventive care and recommended screenings are important tools to keep you and your family healthy. AlaskaCare retiree members can now get many checkups, screenings, vaccines, prenatal care services, contraceptives, and more with no out-of-pocket costs. These include, but are not limited, to:
- Routine Physical Exams
- Well Woman Preventive Visits
- Maternity and Newborn Care
- Routine Cancer Screening: breast, lung, cervical, colorectal, prostate
- Preventive Care Immunizations
Coverage for preventive services is based on recommendations by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) and other governmental advisory groups and may include additional services as outlined in the AlaskaCare Third-Party Administrator’s clinical guidelines. These guidelines will change over time as they are updated to reflect the most current research and evidence.
How are Preventive Services Covered?
If you see a network provider for preventive services, your AlaskaCare plan will pay 100% of the cost and your deductible will not apply.
If you see an out-of-network provider, you will first have to meet the $150 deductible, and then the plan will pay 80% coinsurance (up to the recognized charge) for covered services. Your AlaskaCare out-of-pocket maximum will not apply to preventive care services received from out-of-network providers.
Many retiree plan members have other health coverage, such as Medicare, or additional coverage through their spouse. The AlaskaCare plan will continue to coordinate with other plans the way it does today when determining payment for covered services.
How Do I Find an In-Network Provider?
For assistance finding an in-network provider, call the Aetna Concierge at (855) 784-8646 or search online using the Aetna DocFind tool.
Have More Questions? Contact the Aetna Concierge at (855) 784-8646 for information about whether or not a service is diagnostic or preventive or if you would like more information about your health plan benefits.
Additional information on this option is available at AlaskaCare.gov.
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| Retiree Health Plan Advisory Board Meeting |
The Retiree Health Plan Advisory Board (RHPAB) was created through Administrative Order No. 336 to facilitate engagement and coordination between the State of Alaska’s retirement systems’ members, the Alaska Retirement Management Board, and the Commissioner of Administration regarding the administration of the retiree health plan.
The eight-member board is a group of individuals that represent you, the retirees. The Board shall consist of eight voting members, and one ex-officio member.
| You are invited to attend or listen to the meetings, members are always welcome. If you would like to offer public comment for the board to review, send an email to: alaskarhpab@alaska.gov. |
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Unscrambling High Cholesterol: HDL, LDL, and Proven Strategies to Manage Your Risk
One in three Americans has high cholesterol. And because the condition has no noticeable symptoms, less than half of those people are getting treatment. But overlooking cholesterol is risky: It’s a leading predictor of heart disease, heart attack and stroke. Read on to learn more about the role cholesterol plays in overall health, and how to lower your bad cholesterol.
What is cholesterol?
If you’re like most people, your impression of cholesterol is something foreign and unsavory, even toxic. In fact, cholesterol molecules are important building blocks that are present in all cell membranes and in hormones like testosterone and estrogen. Here’s another surprise: All cholesterol is the same. References to “good” HDL and “bad” LDL refer to the proteins that carry cholesterol through the blood where it’s needed. Each serves a different role in the body.
HDL stands for high-density lipoprotein. These waxy molecules serve as the sanitation crew for blood vessels, scrubbing arteries and carrying waste back to the liver for removal. An HDL level above 60mg is thought to protect against heart disease. LDL, or low-density lipoprotein, moves cholesterol from your liver to the body’s organs for use building cells and hormones. The problem with LDL is that it tends to stick to artery walls, reducing blood flow and leading to heart disease. That’s where its bad reputation comes from. Your LDL level should be under 100mg ― lower if you or anyone in your family has a history of heart problems.
What causes high bad cholesterol?
Cholesterol can reach dangerous levels due to genetics and unhealthy habits. About 75% of our cholesterol is produced in the liver and controlled by genes. To get a sense of your genetic risk, it can be helpful to talk to older relatives about cholesterol. Ask if any family members have been told they have high cholesterol or have been put on medication to lower their bad cholesterol.
Some bad habits contribute to high cholesterol in a different way:
- Poor diet
- Lack of exercise
- Smoking
- Heavy drinking
Some heart health experts believe the most dangerous habit of all isn’t on the list. It’s a habit of mind that makes you feel helpless about your health. For instance, if you have a family history of high cholesterol, you may think that nothing you do will make a difference ― so what’s the point of trying? On the other hand, if you have no family history, you may blame yourself and feel you deserve to suffer the consequences.
How to lower your bad cholesterol
If you’re looking for a starting point, get your cholesterol checked at your next doctor’s visit. Unlike blood pressure, you can’t track your cholesterol levels at home. Only a blood test can measure your HDL and LDL numbers. Ask your doctor if your levels have changed over time or remained steady ― it may indicate whether genetics or lifestyle is driving your numbers. Then discuss these three strategies for managing cholesterol to determine what’s right for you:
- Start exercising. Some experts believe that physical activity influences cholesterol to a greater extent than dietary changes. Studies have shown that moderate activity can raise good HDL. Aim for 30 minutes of exercise a day. If you’ve been sedentary for a while, start with 10 minutes of walking a day.
- Take your statin. Statin drugs are the main medical treatment for high cholesterol. They block an enzyme in the liver needed to make cholesterol. Many studies have shown statins to be safe and effective over the long term, with very few side effects.
- Eat real food. Yes, you should cut back on processed treats that deliver a double whammy of refined sugar and saturated fat ― like ice cream and donuts. But adding more healthy ingredients to your plate also pays off. One influential study showed that just four food groups lowered bad LDL better than a vegetarian diet low in saturated fat:
- Nuts, especially walnuts, almonds and ground flaxseeds
- Plant-based protein, found in soy products, beans, peas, chickpeas and lentils.
- Soluble fiber, like that in oats, barley, eggplant, okra, apples, oranges and berries.
- Margarine enhanced with plant sterols that block the absorbtion of cholesterol. Look for cholesterol-lowering spreads like Benecol and Take Control as a replacement for regular butter or margarine.
What about eggs?
Anything in excess is bad. But eggs are not bad. A daily omelet is not the most terrible thing in the world. In fact, eggs are full of micronutrients that are great for the health of your eyes, blood vessels and heart. A recent study by the University of Sydney showed that eating up to 12 eggs per week did not increase cardiovascular risk in people with pre-diabetes and Type 2 diabetes, who are especially vulnerable to heart disease.
The bottom line on cholesterol
When it comes to lifestyle changes, finding a comfortable balance between healthy habits and enjoying life is important. Make small, meaningful changes that you know you can live with.
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