Medicare in Alaska
GoHealth’s guide offers information that can save Alaskans time and money
Reviewed by: Stephanie Demus, Licensed Insurance Agent. Written by: Bryan Strickland.
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Key Takeaways
Medicare in Alaska is mostly like Medicare in the 48 contiguous states, with eligibility starting at age 65 outside of a few exceptions.
Alaska offers several cost-savings programs for residents facing financial needs and for anyone on Medicare looking to control costs related to prescriptions and out-of-pocket expenditures like copaysA copayment (copay) is the fixed amount you pay directly to your provider for medical services or prescription drugs covered in your plan. For example: If your plan includes a copayment of $20 for office visits, you'll pay $20 to your doctor whenever you have an appointment. and coinsuranceCoinsurance is the percentage of your medical costs that you pay after you meet your deductible. The remaining amount is paid by your insurance company. For example: If you have a $1,000 medical bill and your coinsurance is 20%, you'll pay $200. Your insurance company will cover the final $800..
In 2021, Medicare Advantage plans aren’t available in Alaska.
Alaskans can hop in the car and drive to the continental United States. Just make sure your car seat is a comfortable one.
It’s more than a 2,000-mile drive from Alaska to Seattle in the northwest corner of the lower 48. Much like the typical journey into the world of Medicare, the endeavor can be daunting.
GoHealth is here to straighten out the learning curve and put you in the driver’s seat.
Does Medicare Cover You in Alaska?
Since 1965, Medicare has provided affordable healthcare coverage to older Americans, and that certainly includes Alaskans. If you enroll in Medicare in Alaska, you can use your benefits with any provider in the United States that accepts Medicare, which is most.
While Medicare doesn’t typically cover you outside of the U.S., if you’re an Alaskan traveling between your home state and the continental U.S. via Canada, you are covered if a medical emergency arises in transit. The same applies to residents of the continental U.S. traveling to Alaska via Canada. [1]
How do I Apply for Medicare in Alaska?
You are eligible to get Medicare in AK if you’re a U.S. citizen age 65 or older. Regardless of your age, you can enroll in Medicare if you have End Stage Renal Disease or Lou Gehrig’s disease or have received Social Security Disability Insurance payments or Railroad Board benefits payments for 24 months.
Your first chance to enroll is during the Initial Enrollment Period (IEP). Your IEP is a seven-month period that begins three months before the month you turn 65.
- You can enroll online with the Social Security Administration. [2]
- You can enroll via phone by calling 1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778).
- You can enroll by visiting a local Social Security office. [3]
You have the option of enrolling in Part A of Original Medicare (which covers a portion of your hospital-related expenses), Part B (which covers an amount of your other medical expenses),medically- necessary services like doctors services and tests, outpatient care, home health services, durable medical equipment and other medical services. Part B also covers some preventive services.
If you enroll in both Parts A and B, you have the option to add Part D to cover a portion of your prescription expenses. You may also choose to add Medigap, which is supplemental coverage that helps fill in the gaps in out-of-pocket costs like copays and coinsurance.
Private insurance companies administer part D and Medigap under rules set by the federal Medicare program.
Does Alaska Have Free Healthcare?
Medicare beneficiaries who have paid employment-related taxes for at least 10 years don’t have to pay a monthly premium for Part A of Original Medicare. However, the coverage is not “free” because of the deductibles, copays, and coinsurance responsibilities associated with Medicare plans in Alaska.
If you need free or low-cost health insurance because of your financial situation, some people on Medicare in Alaska can save through a Medicare Savings Program. In contrast, some facing severe needs may qualify for Medicaid. In Alaska, the Medicaid program is called DenaliCare, and the state sets specific income limits on an annual basis for an array of situations. The state provides a tool to give Alaskans an idea about whether they qualify, but an accurate determination can only be made by applying. [4]
Is Medicare the Same in All 50 States?
Because Medicare is a federal insurance program, the core elements of Medicare are the same in each state, but there are some exceptions.
- Some people on Medicare in Alaska also will qualify for Medicaid based on financial need. While the two programs, both started in 1965, have a lot in common, Medicaid standards can be set on the state level, creating differences between Alaska and other states.
- You have the option to add Part D drug coverage or Medigap supplemental coverage to Original Medicare in Alaska. Under the federal Medicare program’s guidance, private insurance companies offer these products at different costs in different states. The Alaska Department of Health and Human Services provides a snapshot of Part D [5] and Medigap [6] in your state.
A GoHealth licensed agent can help you find a Part D policy or Medigap policy to meet your needs.
Are there Medicare Advantage Plans in Alaska?
In 2021, Medicare Advantage plans aren’t available in Alaska.
Medicare Advantage bundles the hospital and medical coverage from Parts A and B of Original Medicare and some plans also include Part D drug coverage. Medicare Advantage also offers dental, hearing and vision coverage and many plans include a monthly stipend for purchasing over-the-counter supplies.
Medicare in Alaska by the Numbers
Thousands of older adults enroll in Medicare every day across the United States. The latest CMS data shows that 86,462 people are enrolled in Medicare in Alaska. The total number of beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Advantage in Alaska is 1,748. The previous year, 1,596 enrolled in Medicare Advantage. Medicare Advantage participation in Alaska went from 1.92% to 2.02% year over year. If you’d like to dive deeper into how Medicare in Alaska breaks down across the state, we provide a glance at who is using Medicare, and how.
Table reflects the latest Beneficiary Demographics data: 2018, All Beneficiaries by State, Centers of Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Average HCC Score: The Hierarchical Condition Category score gauges a population’s overall health. The score is based on a value of 1.0. Populations with an HCC score of less than 1.0 are considered relatively healthy. The score can be used to estimate health costs.
Alaska Medicare Resources & Contacts
Beneficiaries spend an average of $9,985.92 each year on Medicare in Alaska. To be certain you are not leaving anything on the table, let us help. A GoHealth licensed insurance agent can assess your coverage or explain which Alaska-based resources, like these, may be able to help:
Medicare Information Office
1-800-478-6065 (TTY: 1-800-770-8973)
http://dhss.alaska.gov/dsds/Pages/medicare/default.aspxWhat should I know about Alaska’s Medicare Information Office?
The Alaska Department of Health and Human Services has counselors available to answer your Medicare questions.
Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development
1-800-467-8715
Phone lines open M-F, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
What should I know about the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development?
The department’s Division of Insurance fields insurance-related complaints.
Alaska Department of Health and Human Services
Click on link for local office phone numbers
Offices open M-F, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; phone interviews M-F, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
What should I know about the Alaska Department of Health and Human Services?
The department’s Public Assistance Offices help with Medicaid and other need-based programs.
Nationwide Resources
Speak with an insurance agent that is licensed in Alaska about your Medicare questions.
1-855-792-0088 TTY: 711Monday - Friday, 8 AM - 9 PM CT
Medicare & Medicaid
If you have general questions about Medicare in AK, or need help with current Medicare benefits.
1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227)Social Security Administration
You can reach the SSA by phone for general questions. Not all questions can be answered over the phone.
Also, SSA.gov provides online resources for the following: Review information, apply for benefits, or manage your account online
Speak to SSA Representative, Monday - Friday, 8 AM - 7 PM ET