Health Insurance in Alaska?

[S.B.]

Tell the straight truth about health insurance in Alaska? I know this is off topic but rumors abound. Does the state of Alaska provide health supplemental insurance for the retired folk?

[Daveinthebush]

You need to clarify your question.  Do you mean for retired "State" workers?

Or insurance if you move here?

[S.B.]

No. I'm not a state worker. Just a rumor that is going around in this vacinity, that Alaska subsidiises  heath insurance for people (residents who are living in Alaska)who have already retired? Sorry for any confusion. I'm confused too? Sounds too good to be true, to me.

[Daveinthebush]

Boy I don't know.  I can ask one person at work tomorrow that does some of the retirement for our school.  I'll be back.

[S.B.]

Thanks, Dave. Maybe you can dispell some of the myth of Alaska. Steve

[Daveinthebush]

One myth I can not dispell.  

The are more men here than women. :coffee:

[Dand]

Could you be thinking of the Longevity Bonus that seniors USED to get? That system was a forgiveness on property tax for a primary residence for seniors.  Its gone away, killed by the current governor - but it was phazing out anyway.  Seems like the gov came up with some sort of half way help for a few truly needy seniors but I can't recall the details other than quite a few seniors are still PO'd about it. I think is was a pretty small help too.  My folks live in Anchorage and are 87 and 88.  They aren't needy and I don't recall them saying anything about a State subsidy.

HTH

[akpls]

I don't believe the Longevity Bonus was a "forgiveness on property tax".  It was just a monthly cash payment to all eligible seniors.  Property tax "forgiveness" issues for seniors are handled by the local taxing authority, ie Borough, City, etc. and those are still in effect, at least in the Fairbanks North Star Borough.  I know of no state health insurance subsidy that is aimed specifically at retirees, but there may be various programs that apply to those falling under low income guidlines.

[Dand]

I checked with my wife and the Bonus WAS a monthly cash payout to folks and depending on when you became eligible the amount varied (I think) or else the eligibility age was increased for a while then terminated.  At any rate, the program was supposed to sunset and the number of eligibles was diminshing fast.  The whole thing was ended a couple years ago by the current governor.  Some sort of needs based assistance with perscriptions was eventually provided as a small consolation.

There was also a primary residence tax forgiveness program during the peak of oil wealth.  At one time I think the state reimbursed the cities for lost revenue but eventually dumped it on the municipalities. I think some have retained the benefit while others haven't.  

So far all who can show they have lived in Alaska for a specified time period can qualify for the annual  permanent fund dividend. The dividend has recently ranged from about $900 to nearly $2,000 per person - here is a link for more accurate information.   http://www.pfd.state.ak.us/

But before you rush to AK for the big bucks remember  here in the bush, I pay $3.49 / gal for gas,  about $2.60 for heating oil (and I use a lot), milk is $6.49 a gallon and rents run $ 950 to over $1,300 /month for modest apartments and houses.  Now its quite a bit cheaper in Anchorage but most other places living and travel expenses are substantial.

HTH

[Daveinthebush]

I forgot you're over there in the bush.  Diesel is $2.24 here and gas around there too.  Milk is $3.70 for the thin stuff.  Our average rent is $900.  

I am really suprised of the prices in Anchorage though.  More like the lower 48 with Wally World.  I can buy two cans of coffee and a big Mac for the price of one can here.  Potato chips are a luxury one a month.

But the landscape outside the door is real!  And would you believe it is raining?

[S.B.]

Ahhhhhhh America. Land of free enterprise? Sounds like the Ebeneezer Schrooges have migrated to the frozen north? Aint it wonderful. Life's a bit** and then you die.

[Dand]

SB some of our prices are from scrooges but some of it is pure expense of delivering services and products.  Our milk and much of our groceries are flown in weekly.  Given the fuel prices plus the cost of crews and operating planes the prices are understandable.  There have been some court cases in the past that caught fuel companies colluding to fix prices.  Dillingham usually rates in the top 4 most expensive towns in AK among those checked by the University.  Probably some of the real tiny towns that aren't checked are even more expensive - gas at $4-$5/gal and stove oil not much less.

Like Dave says, given the economies of scale, competition, and increasingly good lines of supply from the lower 48, the Anchorage area isn't much if any more expensive than many places in the L48. Gas might be cheaper.  But you have all the other stuff of the L48 too - traffic, too many people, and everything associated with that.

[S.B.]

Very interesting. Alaska sounds like a very contrasting place.