Alaska Health Insurance
Alaska Health Insurance Plan for 2010-2014
The Alaska Health Commission (http://www.hss.state.ak.us/) recently released an important report on its upcoming goals for affordable health insurance in Alaska in the coming 4 years. Alaska’s health insurance system must address the growing concern of unaffordable health insurance, fragmented health care, and aid the people that are being denied health insurance.
Current Health Insurance Coverage in Alaska
The more people spend on health care, the higher health insurance premiums get. Health insurance companies must adjust their rates to accommodate the growing use of medical services. Unfortunately, workers’ wages have no accommodated the increase of monthly health insurance payments, and the price of health insurance has become less and less affordable. The health insurance premiums are rising faster than wages and inflation.
DID YOU KNOW??
In Alaska, health insurance premiums for working families grew by more than 90% between 2000 and 2009.
This increased the average annual health insurance premiums for family health insurance from $7,456 to $14,226!
Individual health insurance premiums also rose steadily over the decade, growing from $2,923 in annual premiums to $5,626 per person!
The percentage of individual income spent on health insurance premiums rose from 11% to 19%!
(from Alaska Health and Social Services)
It is clear that health insurance reform is required in Alaska, but what’s being done about it?
Health Insurance Reform in Alaska
The health commission identified 4 goals for health insurance in Alaska.
- 1. Improve Access.
- 2. Stop Cost Growth.
- 3. Improve Quality and Safety.
- 4. Focus on Prevention.
Though the issue of nation-wide health care reform continues to be challenged, Alaska health insurance companies have agreed to create a network of affordable health benefits for people who need new or better health insurance options.
One creation that seems like is a Health Insurance Exchange. A Juneau, Alaska online news source reports that Alaska is moving forward with the health insurance exchange and is planning on hiring consultants to assist with implementation.
Many were angered when earlier this year, Alaskan Gov. Sean Parnell refused federal money to start and Alaska health exchange. The money was to fund a marketplace for different coverage options, intended to spur competitive prices among private health insurance companies in Alaska. Gov. Parnell believed it unconstitutional for the federal government to control this market.
Since then, Gov Parnell has told Alaskans that they will move forward with the Alaska health insurance exchange using their own money.
People who don’t get insurance from their employer will be able to get it through the health insurance exchange.
An estimated 14% of Alaskans currently do not have health insurance.
Affordable Health Insurance in Alaska: Values
A sustainable health exchange must exist that gives individuals different options for health insurance benefits if they are low-income, have exhausted their coverage or have been denied health insurance in the past.
A redesigned health care system will increase efficiency and effectiveness of care and services for health insurance policy holders in Alaska.
Individual choice will give individuals the choice for which health insurance company to buy from, and which health care services to choose from the exchange.
A redesigned communication system will increase personal engagement of health insurance consumers by increasing accessibility to medical staff.
Always remember to be informed and consult different sources before buying health insurance.
