Alaska Health Insurance

How healthy is living in Alaska?

Alaska is ranked as the 30th healthiest state to live in for the second year, according to a 2008 study by the United Health Foundation.

The good news:

• The state achieved the #1 ranking for low levels of air pollution and #2 ranking for public health funding dollars per person ($175).
• The rate of the percentage of the state's children in poverty fell by 27 percent in the past year.
• The incidence of infectious disease has fallen by 84 percent since 1990.

The bad news:

• The state has one of the lowest high school graduation rates (ranked 45th of the 50th states) at 64.1 percent of incoming 9th graders who graduate within four years.
• The state is ranked 43rd of the 50 when it comes to its violent crime rate and only three states have a higher violent crime rate.

The state's best and worst category rankings:

• Children (under 18) in poverty – 1st
• Air pollution – 1st
• Cardiovascular deaths – 6th
• Preventable hospitalizations – 8th
• Lack of health insurance – 39th
• Prevalence of binge drinking – 41st
• Violent crime offenses – 43rd
• Geographic disparity – 43rd
• High school graduation – 45th (64.1 percent of ninth graders eventually graduate)
• Occupational fatalities – 46th

See the United Health Foundation's latest findings on Alaska.

Does Alaska have a risk pool for the uninsurable?

Alaska Comprehensive Health Insurance Association
Toll-free 1-888-290-0616

Risk pools are state-sponsored programs to help people with a history of medical problems in their family to purchase coverage. These pools are for people who can afford to buy health insurance, but are not able to get underwritten in the private market because of a pre-existing health condition. These programs can vary significantly from state-to-state in price, benefits and number of people served. Often insurance companies doing business in the state are required to contribute to the poolto keep it in the black. In the best cases they allow people to be able to switch jobs or become self-employed without the fear of losing their health insurance coverage. Find more on risk pools here.

Cover The Uninsured's guide on finding health insurance in Alaska

Cover The Uninsured is a national effort to highlight the fact that too many Americans are living without health insurance and to demand solutions from our nation's leaders. Read more information on its efforts. It is a project of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

• Cover The Uninsured's facts on the uninsured in Alaska and all other states.
• Its guide on how to find health insurance in Alaska.
• Materiales En Español – Guías para encontrar cobertura de seguro de salud.

USNews health insurance rankings for Alaska

US News does an annual ranking of what it considers the best health insurance plans in each state. Visit its reports on various health insurance or medical insurance plans being offered in Alaska.

Official State Goverment Sites with Alaska Health Insurance Information

Alaska Department of Insurance-- (scroll down for health insurance information).

• How to file a complaint.

Denali KidCare -- Denali KidCare is a State of Alaska program designed to ensure that children and teens of both working and non-working families can get health insurance.

State of Alaska Health Care Services -- part of the department of Health and Social Services.

• Adult dental care services
• Chronic and Acute Medical Assistance (CAMA)
• Medicaid