2018 Individual Health Plan Enrollment

• Open enrollment runs November 1 - December 15.
• Lower premium rates for 2018.
• If you qualify for Medicaid, enroll anytime.

Help get the word out! Download Open Enrollment Posters to print and share!

Local Assistance

• Call or visit your community health center or one of these organizations.
• Find more information on local help here.

See Get Health Insurance.

Renewing a Healthcare.gov Plan

• Alaskans who obtained coverage in 2017 through Healthcare.gov should update their account information during the open enrollment period.
• Once account information - including expected income for 2018 - has been updated, shop for a plan that meets your budget and healthcare needs.

2018 Plans

• Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alaska will be the only Affordable Care Act (ACA)-compliant individual health insurer in Alaska for 2018.
• Financial help in the form of premium tax credits is only available through healthcare.gov. See if you qualify.

Short-term Medical Policies

The Division advises consumers to exercise caution when considering a short-term health insurance policy. These plans are designed to be used for brief periods of time such as when you are between jobs.

Only licensed agents should assist you with the purchase of health insurance; make sure the company and agent you are working with are licensed in Alaska.

Short-term medical health plans are:

• not held to the same benefit standards and do not have the same consumer protections as comprehensive health plans.
• permitted to exclude pre-existing conditions and apply waiting periods, and have limited coverage.
• not considered minimum essential coverage under the ACA so you may be subject to a federal tax penalty.

Please see this press release for more information about short-term health insurance.

Health Care Sharing Ministries

Health Care Sharing Ministry (HCSM) plans are provided by an organization coordinating medical expenses – not an insurance company - and the documents provided are not an insurance policy. The plan works by pooling the health care expenses of members, with each person sharing in the payment of medical expenses.

However, the decision to assist with medical bills is voluntary because participants are not compelled by law to contribute. Whether or not you receive a payment from the ministry for payment of medical expenses and whether or not this organization continues to operate, you are personally responsible for the payment of your medical bills.  

HCSMs also do not have to follow ACA regulations, including annual and lifetime limits and coverage for essential health benefits, and may apply pre-existing condition exclusions.

HCSMs may refuse to share claims that result from prohibited behavior. For example, an unmarried pregnant woman may be ineligible for maternity benefits, or other services such as alcohol or drug abuse treatment may be excluded from sharing.

Because of the limitations, the monthly sharing amount may appear attractive to consumers. HCSM plan enrollment has grown in the last couple of years. The Alaska Division of Insurance urges consumers to understand the limitations and restrictions involved before choosing an HCSM plan.

If you have any questions, please call the Division of Insurance at 907-269-7900.