Medicaid
Frequently Asked Questions
Following
is a list of commonly asked questions regarding Alaska's Medicaid Program.
If you have a question about Medicaid and it is not listed here, please
email andrea.paulick@alaska.gov We cannot answer every question personally but we may post
it here, dependent on if it will be beneficial to a majority of Medicaid
recipients. Thank you for your interest in Medicaid.
1) How do I know if I am eligible for Medicaid? Alaska's Medicaid Program is complex and eligibility depends on a number of factors affecting your life. People qualify for Medicaid by meeting federal income and asset standards and by fitting into a specified eligibility category. You must contact your local Division of Public Assistance office or your community's village fee agent for more information.
2)
Where do I apply for Medicaid? You may apply for Medicaid
at your local Division of Public Assistance
office or with the village fee agent in your community.
3) Does Medicaid cover dental care? Coverage for Medicaid
eligible adults who are 21 years and older is limited to services
for the immediate relief of pain and acute infections. This means
that if you are having problems with a tooth and the tooth needs to
be pulled or filled Medicaid would cover that treatment. If you have
an infection Medicaid would cover the treatment to relieve the infection.
However, if your dental provider states that you would need a root
canal or crown as a result of the treatment, this service would not
be covered by Medicaid.
4) What if my doctor says I have to go south for treatment?
How does that work? All
out of state travel must be requested by an Alaskan medical provider
who is enrolled in the Alaska Medicaid Program. All requests must
demonstrate medical necessity in order to be authorized. If the request
for travel is approved, Medicaid recipients are authorized travel
to the nearest available medical facility where they can receive the
appropriate medical care. Escorts are for children under the age of
18; the escort must be at least 21. Escorts may be approved for an
adult if this is determined necessary because of the patient's health
and/or other factors. Weekend stays will not be authorized unless
medical necessity can be documented; every means possible should be
explored to avoid a weekend stay. We encourage you to group appointments
within the family so that travel costs can be minimized. Meals are
included with the hotel authorization for $36.00 per day and must
be available from the hotel. Room service, gratuities, alcohol and
phone calls are not covered by Medicaid.