Alaska Medicare Guide

This Alaska Medicare guide will help you understand when to enroll, how to enroll, what your options are, and how to get the most from Medicare.

We’re here to help! Get free, personalized advice from independent Alaska Medicare agents who care. Schedule a free consultation or give us a call at (888) 604-0055 to get started.

Use this table of contents to jump to specific sections:

Snapshot of Medicare in Alaska

There are 108,000 Medicare beneficiaries in Alaska, making up 15% of Alaska’s total population. While most people age into Medicare, about 11% are on Medicare because they have a disability. 18% of Alaska’s Medicare beneficiaries also receive support from Alaska Medicaid. When it comes to Original Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage, 98% of Alaska residents choose Original Medicare and 2% choose Medicare Advantage.

Alaska Medicare Advantage Plans

There are 2 Medicare Advantage (MA) plans available to all Alaska residents in 2023, which is the lowest across all 50 US states. The following boroughs and census areas don’t have any MA plans available:

Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area
Skagway-Hoonah-Angoon Census Area
State of Alaska Unorganized Borough
Wrangell-Petersburg Census Area

Medicare Advantage plans replace Original Medicare, and must legally provide at least the same coverage. Most Medicare Advantage plans also include Part D (prescription drug) coverage. Finally, they commonly include added benefits, like:

Dental, vision, and hearing coverage
Flex spending cards
Meal services
Fitness perks
Transportation services

Medicare Advantage plans are popular in many states because they provide additional coverage and generally have low or no premiums. Keep in mind that if you do enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, you still need to pay your Original Medicare premiums. You should also keep in mind the cons associated with Medicare Advantage plans, like:

Limited provider networks
Prior authorization requirements
High out-of-pocket costs

Additional Medicare insurance is common because Original Medicare doesn’t cover about 20% of costs and also doesn’t have an out-of-pocket maximum. This means that if you only have Original Medicare, you could be on the hook for thousands of dollars if you need expensive or frequent care. Many people enroll in Medicare Advantage plans because they’re an affordable option and offer an out-of-pocket limit—but your out-of-pocket costs may still be quite high. For people who value financial predictability and access to care, Medicare Supplement plans are a great option!

Alaska Medicare Supplement Plans

Medicare Supplement (also known as Medigap) plans are there to help cover the 20% of costs Medicare doesn’t. They help significantly reduce your out-of-pocket costs. Plans are labeled by letters A through N, and each plan letter (e.g., every Plan A) is identical in coverage. While coverage is identical, pricing from different insurance carriers will vary.

Medigap plan benefits are basically the same as Medicare Advantage plan drawbacks:

No networks - you can see any doctor who accepts Medicare nationwide
No prior authorization requirements for covered services
Lower out-of-pocket costs

When you enroll in a Medigap plan matters! During your Medigap Open Enrollment Period (a six-month window that starts when your Part B takes effect) you are guaranteed acceptance into any Medigap plan. This means insurance companies cannot ask questions about your health history and cannot deny you coverage. Outside of the Medigap Open Enrollment Period and a few other special guaranteed issue periods, insurance companies are allowed to ask about your health history and deny you coverage.

Alaska Prescription Drug (Part D) Plans

Original Medicare does not include prescription drug coverage. Most Medicare Advantage enrollees receive prescription coverage from their plans. Alaska Original Medicare beneficiaries can enroll in a stand-alone prescription drug plan. There are 21 Alaska Part D plans ith an average monthly premium of $37.20.

If you aren’t taking prescriptions when you first enroll in Medicare, we recommend that you enroll in a low-cost drug plan. This will help you avoid the Medicare Part D penalty later!

If you have questions about your Medicare options or want to compare plan benefits and pricing, schedule a free consultation with one of our licensed Alaska Medicare Advisors or give us a call at (888) 604-0055.

Get help paying for Medicare in Alaska

There are three government programs that can help Medicare beneficiaries with low incomes pay for their health-related expenses.

Medicaid

Medicaid works with Medicare to provide access to care for low-income Americans. Alaska has two programs that can help people on Medicare who have low incomes: Senior Benefits and the Medicare Savings Program.

Alaska Senior Benefits

Alaska Senior Benefits gives out cash payments to residents aged 65 or older who have low or moderate incomes. Cash payments are either $76, $175, or $250 each month, depending on your monthly income. Income guidelines change each year, and you can learn more here.

Alaska Medicare Savings Program

Each state has a Medicare Savings Program to help low-income Medicare beneficiaries pay for all or part of their Medicare expenses. Alaska’s Medicare Savings Program pays for members’ Part B premiums. The income limits for 2023 are $2,069 for individuals and $2,792 for couples. The 2023 asset limits are $9,090 for individuals and $13,630 for couples.

To get help applying for Alaska Medicaid programs, visit health.alaska.gov or reach out to one of our licensed Alaska Medicare beneficiaries.

Extra Help

If you have limited income and resources, you may be eligible for Extra Help. Extra Help is a federal program that helps pay for costs associated with prescription drug coverage, including premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance.

You automatically qualify for Extra Help if you:

Receive full Medicaid coverage from Alaska
Alaska pays your Part B premium
Are eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

If you don’t automatically qualify for Extra Help, you may still be eligible. Talk to one of our licensed Alaska Medicare Advisors to get free support with your application.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Benefits

Eligible US citizens receive monthly payments from the SSI program. You’re considered eligible if you meet the following criteria:

You are 65 and older, blind, or have a disability
You have limited income and limited resources

You can apply for SSI Benefits online or by calling 1-800-772-1213 / TTY 1-800-325-0778.

Alaska Medicare Eligibility and Enrollment Steps

Medicare eligibility is the same across the US. You’re eligible for Medicare if you’re a US citizen who meets one of the following criteria:

You’re 65 or older
You have certain disabilities, like End-Stage Renal Disease or ALS

Three key steps for Alaska Medicare enrollment:

Enroll in Original Medicare (Part A & Part B)
Choose your supplemental coverage options
- Medicare Supplement (Medigap)
- Medicare Advantage (Part C)
- Part D (drug coverage)
Find doctors, share your plan information with your pharmacy, and set up additional benefits that come with your coverage.

Due to its multiple parts and supplemental options, Medicare can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to! One of our Alaska Medicare Advisors would be happy to answer any questions you have, help you understand and compare your options, and guide you through enrollment. Get started by scheduling your free consultation or calling us at: (888) 604-0055.

We’re here to help you:

Explore your options

Enroll in Medicare

Use your coverage