Alaska has 104,465 total Medicare enrollees. Among those beneficiaries, 102,635 (98%) receive their health insurance from Original Medicare, while only 1,830 (2%) receive coverage with a Medicare Advantage plan, the country’s lowest MA participation rate.
The vast majority of Alaska Medicare enrollees depend on Original Medicare for their health insurance, so we’ll examine what comes in baseline Medicare and ways beneficiaries can expand their coverage in the sections below.
Alaska Medicare Facts & Figures
- Of Alaska’s 102,000 Original Medicare beneficiaries, over 86,000 have Part A and Part B. Additionally, over 75,000 Alaska Medicare enrollees aged into Parts A and B eligibility, while 11,000 gained eligibility through a qualifying disability.
- In Alaska, Original Medicare Part A has over 12,000 more enrollees than Part B.
- Among the 104,465 total Alaska Medicare beneficiaries, over 59,000 have some form of Part D coverage.
- Over 58,000 of the roughly 59,000 Part D beneficiaries in Alaska receive their prescription drug coverage from a standalone Part D plan. About 600 others get their medication insurance from specialized Medicare Advantage plans.
Medicare Costs in Alaska for 2024
Part A is more prevalent among Alaska Medicare beneficiaries, and there’s a similar trend across the country. One big reason for that disparity is that most people receive Medicare Part A without paying premiums, while Part B comes with premium and deductible charges for all enrollees.
Note: The specific rates listed below are the same from state to state.
| Medicare Part A Costs in 2023 | Medicare Part B Costs in 2023 |
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Original Medicare Coverage
Original Medicare Parts A and B cover most hospital procedures and necessary medical services before and after a hospital visit, also called your inpatient and outpatient services.
Part A covers the inpatient work, insuring hospital visits for sickness and injury, and covering most of what happens during the appointment.
On the other hand, Part B covers ambulance rides before your hospital stay, mental and physical examinations after, and the additional services listed below.
Medicare Part A (Hospital Coverage)
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Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance)
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Supplemental Medicare Plans in Alaska
Original Medicare Parts A and B are strong enough to cover most essential healthcare services. However, there are several quality-of-life medical expenses that baseline Medicare misses, which is why supplemental Medicare is valuable for living a happy, healthy life.
Luckily, beneficiaries have three main ways to expand their health coverage: Medicare Part C, Medicare Part D, and Medicare Supplement plans.
Medicare Advantage
Medicare Part C, also called Medicare Advantage, is the most comprehensive form of supplemental Medicare. It replaces Original Medicare Part A and B rather than expanding it, so it comes with all the same benefits as baseline Medicare while mixing in additional coverage.
For example, you’ll receive dental, hearing, and vision coverage with a Medicare Advantage plan, a handful of MA plans, and even insurance gym memberships and prescription medication.
Part D
Part D plans are more popular for insuring prescription drugs than Medicare Advantage plans. Unlike Medicare Part C, Part D is an add-on to Original Medicare rather than a replacement, so you’ll still have Part A and B expenses and the deductible and premium charges from Part D.
However, Part D offers extensive coverage for most medications and is available from most insurance providers.
Medigap
The third way beneficiaries can expand their coverage is through Medicare Supplement plans, commonly called “Medigap” plans. This additional Medicare option covers inpatient and outpatient services like Original Medicare but ensures the gaps that Parts A and B miss.
Prices for these three additional Medicare options vary depending on your location, age, gender, and several other factors. Meanwhile, Original Medicare has federally standardized pricing, so your Part A and B coverage will stay the same regardless of where you apply.
Alaska Medicare Resources
Making sense of how to apply for Alaska Medicare and its benefits can be confusing, especially with all the available options. Fortunately, Alaska offers several resources to help applicants sort through the confusion.
Alaska’s State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) branch is one helpful organization with several educational tools to guide you through everything you must know before applying for Medicare.
The state Division of Insurance also offers education for first-time Medicare recipients. Here, you can learn the specific terms of all your future insurance policies before committing to one.
Cities in Alaska with Estimated Premiums for Medigap Coverage
Below, the following Alaskan cities have had charts created to outline the estimated Medicare Supplement premiums:
FAQs
Is there Medicare in Alaska?
Alaska offers both parts of Original Medicare and the three standard supplemental Medicare options. You can apply for any of them if you’re over 65 years old or have a qualifying disability.
How do you qualify for Medicare in Alaska?
Everyone in Alaska gains eligibility for Medicare upon turning 65. Applicants with ALS or end-stage renal disease are also eligible.
Does Medicare get deducted from your Social Security check in Alaska?
If you receive Social Security, you can request your Alaska Medicare provider to deduct your premium costs from your monthly checks. You also have the option to pay your provider directly.
Is Medicare free at age 65 in Alaska?
Original Medicare Part A has no monthly premiums for Alaska enrollees who have paid Medicare taxes for at least ten years or are receiving Social Security benefits.
You might also be eligible for premium-free Medicare if you receive Railroad Retirement Board benefits.
Why is my first Medicare bill so high in Alaska?
Late enrollment fees are the most significant reason Alaska Medicare bills come in higher than expected. The easiest way to avoid those late fees is to enroll as soon as your initial enrollment opens, typically 90 days before you turn 65.
How To Sign Up for Supplemental Medicare in Alaska
If you are having trouble locking down the health coverage you need, Medigap.com makes it easy to find the perfect Alaska Medicare coverage.
Our agents work with all supplemental Medicare providers and compare rates from all their plans for free so that you can find the ideal plans in minutes. Their assistance is free to you.
Call our team today or fill out our convenient and fast online form to get the best rates in your area.
