COVID-19 Public Health Emergency ends 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.

1. COVID-19 Vaccine

   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.

2. 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. After you meet the annual deductible, the Medical Plan pays 80% or more for covered expenses up to annual individual out-of-pocket limit. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.