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Division of Insurance

Regulating the insurance industry to protect Alaskan consumers

Meet the Director

Lori Wing-Heier
Division Director

Lori Wing-Heier was appointed Director of the Division of Insurance in February 2014. Director Wing-Heier has approximately 30 years of experience in the insurance industry, including as a broker and agent.

She most recently served as Director of Risk Management at a large Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) corporation where she designed and implemented a comprehensive enterprise-wide risk management program.

She also served as senior vice-president at a national brokerage, working with Alaskan entities throughout the state, and as president of the Alaska Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers, Inc.


What the End of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Means for Your Health Insurance Coverage

End of COVID-19 Emergency

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is expected to end the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) on May 11, 2023. Here’s what it could mean for your health plan:

  The End of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency

Changes to Expect

COVID-19 Testing Coverage

If you have a private health insurance plan, you may no longer be able to get free COVID-19 tests. If your plan decides to provide COVID-19 tests after the public health emergency (PHE) ends, you may have to pay a cost-sharing fee.

Over-the-counter (OTC) COVID-19 tests will no longer be free after the PHE ends if you are enrolled in Medicare. However, if your health-care provider orders a COVID-19 test, it will be available without cost sharing.

COVID-19 tests will be covered without cost sharing until Sept. 30, 2024, if you are enrolled in Medicaid. After that, states will determine their own coverage requirements.

If you are underinsured or uninsured, the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), community partners, pharmacies, and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) may provide free COVID-19 tests and testing services. Several states and U.S. territories have chosen to provide Medicaid coverage through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 for COVID-19 tests for uninsured individuals.


What’s Staying the Same

COVID-19 Vaccines and Treatment

If you have private health insurance, you will be able to get free COVID-19 vaccines if they are in-network. Additionally, COVID-19 treatment coverage will not change. If the COVID-19 treatment currently requires cost sharing or paying a deductible, that will continue to apply after the COVID-19 PHE ends.

If you are enrolled in Medicare, you will still be able to get COVID-19 vaccines without cost sharing even after the COVID-19 PHE ends. Additionally, oral antiviral medication, such as Paxlovid and Lagevrio, will still be available.

If you are a Medicaid or Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) enrollee, you will have access to COVID-19 vaccines without cost sharing or co-pays through Sept. 30, 2024, after which states will determine vaccination and treatment coverage.

Telehealth

If you have a private insurance plan, coverage for remote services and care will continue to vary by plan. Many plans expanded access to telehealth services during the pandemic, but some services may require cost sharing, prior authorization, or other conditions. Contact your plan’s customer service to learn more about what it covers.

If you need a prescription for a controlled substance, you will still be able to get one without an in-person visit to your health-care provider after the COVID-19 PHE ends. Audio-only calls will remain available for anyone seeking buprenorphine prescriptions for opioid treatment programs (OTPs).

During the pandemic, telehealth services could be conducted at home instead of at a health-care facility and as audio-only calls to help reach Medicare enrollees who live in rural areas. These Medicare conditions will still apply until Dec. 31, 2024.

If you are a Medicaid or CHIP enrollee, many states offered telehealth services prior to the pandemic, and that will not change at the end of the COVID-19 PHE. The federal government is encouraging states to continue covering many telehealth services through Medicaid or CHIP.

Are your Medicaid benefits being reviewed for renewal?

Keep your contact information up to date and watch for a letter about renewal in the next 12 months. Below are some options for your consideration.

  1. You can re-apply for the Medicaid or CHIP program any time to find out if you qualify for coverage.
  2. You may be able to get low-cost, quality health coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace.
  3. Check with your employer about job-based coverage.
  4. You may be able to sign up for Medicare without paying a late enrollment penalty if you qualify.

For more information review the Medicaid Renewal and Discontinuation information linked here: commerce.alaska.gov/web/ins/Consumers/Health.aspx


  Disaster Preparedness and Your Insurance

If you experience a insurance related claims-handling issue after a disaster, you are welcome to contact Consumer Services at the Alaska Division of Insurance 907-269-7900 with your concerns. Consumers can file complaint regarding their encountered issue on this website. For more information about filing a complaint, select this link.

  Earthquake Resources

  Landslide Resources

  • Is home and business insurance coverage for landslides the same as for mudflow or earthquake?
    No. A landslide is considered an “earth movement” event so, like an earthquake, it is excluded from standard homeowners and business insurance policies. However, you can buy what’s commonly known as a “Difference in Conditions” policy (which typically offers all-in-one coverage for landslides, mudflows, earthquakes, and floods). Difference in Conditions policies are sold by surplus lines insurers; your insurance professional can help you find a surplus lines insurer that will meet your needs.
  • Will an earthquake insurance policy cover my home or business for landslides as well?
    No. Like landslides, earthquakes do involve earth movement, however in general a separate earthquake policy is needed for quake-caused property damage as the causes of the movement are different. Landslides are caused by erosion or water accumulation that destabilizes the land, while earthquakes are caused by seismic activity. Earthquake insurance is available from private insurance carriers for renters, homeowners and business owners.
  • Does my auto insurance policy provide coverage for mudflow and landslides?
    Check with your insurer to determine if you purchased optional comprehensive coverage with your auto insurance policy.

Landslide Resources:

  Fire/Wildfire Resources   Flood and Mudslide Resources   Windstorm Resources


Headlines

  • Bulletin B23-05   (supersedes Bulletin B23-02)
    Eligible Surplus Lines Insurers in the State of Alaska
  • Notice of Public Meeting
    The 2024 National Council on Compensation Insurance, Inc. Worker’s Compensation Prospective Loss Cost Filing
  • Bulletin B23-04   (supersedes Bulletin B03-13)
    Title Producer License Requirements
  • Bulletin B23-03
    Insurer Responsibilities for Third Party Liability in Medicaid

Consumers

Learn about your insurance rights and how to file a complaint. Explore rates and coverage options for your auto, health, home, and life insurance. Use other consumer tools to enroll in health care, research a company or agent, take a home inventory, and more!

Producers

Get licensed or renew your license. Verify your compliance and continuing education requirements. Print and search licenses, add lines of authority, and other online tools.

Insurers

Search for companies and admissions. File amendments, annual filings, and taxes.

Surplus Lines

List of eligible surplus lines insurers and placement lists, applications and eligibility continuation instructions.

Resources

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About Us

Learn about the division's licensing, compliance and oversight functions, meet Director Lori Wing-Heier, seek assistance from our Consumer Services section, report potentially fraudulent and/or deceptive activity to our Investigations section, and contact our staff.