This is a brief introduction to your State of Alaska employee benefits, which includes life insurance, supplemental benefit options, and health insurance. You are responsible to know and manage your benefits, and to know what health plan you are in: AlaskaCare, or a Union Health Trust. All employees, except Labor, Trades and Crafts and some emergency employees, are eligible for Voluntary Supplemental Benefits.
Please Note: Specific information for Alaska Marine Highways (AMHS) and Public Safety Employees Association (PSEA) employees is not included in this benefit information.
Your plan is determined by what bargaining unit you are in. Lists of the plans and the covered bargaining units are in the information below and on the Retirement and Benefits "Plan Details" page.
Detailed information about AlaskaCare, Select Life Insurance, and Voluntary Supplemental Benefits is available from the Department of Administration, Division of Retirement and Benefits website. There you will find benefit information, forms, and the Insurance Enrollment link to begin the online enrollment process for Select Life Insurance, Voluntary Supplemental Benefits and AlaskaCare. The Enrollment Guide also gives you the information you need to make enrollment decisions.
Note: You have the option to make changes to AlaskaCare Health Insurance, Select Life Insurance, and Voluntary Supplemental Benefits selections during the annual open enrollment period. Open enrollment occurs before the new benefit year begins on January 1. Changes may also be made within 30 days of a qualified status change.
If you need additional assistance after reviewing the information in this orientation, contact the Benefits Section at 907-465-4460, toll-free at 1-800-821-2251, or by email at doa.drb.benefits@alaska.gov.
Complete benefit amounts and other information for the Basic Life, Basic Accidental Death and Dismemberment, and Select Life insurance plans are available at the Division of Retirement and Benefits website.
To enroll in all life insurance options employees will need to create or have an account with Benefitfocus. Due within 30 days of appointment; Select Life and AD&D and Voluntary Supplemental Life and AD&D are optional benefits. If you cannot enroll online or have any questions please contact State of Alaska Voluntary Benefits Support Toll-free: 844.939.0543 or by Email: SOABenefits@benefitfocus.com.
The State of Alaska provides Basic Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) insurance to all eligible State employees and their dependents beginning on the 31st consecutive calendar day of employment. Leave without pay taken within the first 30 days of employment may postpone the coverage until you are in pay status for 30 consecutive days. Employees are automatically enrolled in the plan at the time of hire, however you must still complete the Basic Life and AD&D Change of Beneficiary Designation Form online at Benefitfocus to designate your beneficiaries.
Select Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment insurance is available as an optional enrollment at time of hire or during open enrollment. Coverage begins on the 31st consecutive calendar day of employment. Leave without pay taken within the first 30 days of employment may postpone the coverage until you are in pay status for 30 consecutive days. Premiums are adjusted every benefit year for wage and age changes. Enrollment is available online at https://myrnb.alaska.gov.
If you are a permanent/probationary part-time employee, and you are scheduled to work at least 15 but less than 30 hours per week, and want to participate in the State's Basic Life and AD&D plans, you will need to also enroll in your Group Health Plan. You must elect coverage within the first 30 consecutive calendar days of employment and you must pay one-half of the health and life insurance premium cost.
Complete Voluntary Supplemental Benefits Information (including eligibility and coverage benefits) is available on the Division of Retirement and Benefits website.
Most state employees are eligible for additional coverage benefits under Voluntary Supplemental Benefits. Voluntary Supplemental Benefit enrollment must be completed online within 30 calendar days from your date of hire to qualify for those selections in the current benefit year (January 1st - December 31st).
The monthly premium amount for any benefits elected through Voluntary Supplemental Benefits is deducted (50% each pay period) from your pre-taxed gross pay. Coverage begins the first of the month after you have completed 30 days of employment. You have the option to sign up for Voluntary Supplemental Benefits each year during the annual open enrollment. Changes may also be made within 30 days of a qualified status change.
All full-time permanent/probationary and full-time long-term non-permanent employees, and their eligible dependents, are covered by state paid health insurance.
The State contributes a Benefits Credit towards the cost of your health insurance. Depending on your bargaining unit affiliation and the plan you choose you may be required to pay a portion of the premium. Refer to DRB What Plan Am I In? website to determine correctly which health plan option below refers to you.
Important Note: Leave without pay taken within the first 30 days of employment may postpone the coverage until you are in pay status for 30 consecutive days. You must elect coverage within 30 days of your hire date, or you will be enrolled in the default plan.
The following employee groups are included in the AlaskaCare plan administered by the State:
Detailed information about the AlaskaCare Health Plan can be found on the Division of Retirement and Benefits website under AlaskaCare.
Coverage is provided to all full-time permanent/probationary, and full-time long-term non-permanent employees and their eligible dependents beginning on the 31st consecutive calendar day of employment.
Half of the employee's portion of the monthly pretax premium is deducted each pay period.
Information on how to enroll for these benefits can be found on the Division of Retirement and Benefits website.
If you are a permanent/probationary part-time employee, and you are scheduled to work at least 15 but less than 30 hours per week, you are eligible to participate in the AlaskaCare Health Plan. To participate you must elect coverage within the first 30 consecutive calendar days of employment. You are required to pay one-half of the employer portion of the premium as well as the employee's portion. If elected, your health care benefits will be effective on the 31st consecutive day you are in pay status. Information on how to enroll for these benefits can be found on the Division of Retirement and Benefits website.
The following employee groups are covered by Union health trusts. Trusts should be contacted for details about enrollment.
Contact your General Government Union Health Trust for enrollment information at 866-553-8206 or http://www.aseahealth.org.
Your association participates in the ASEA Group Health Trust. Upon receiving the GGU Health Notification Form, the Heath Trust will mail you an enrollment packet. Health care benefits will be effective the first day of the calendar month following 30 continuous days of employment.
If you are a part-time employee (scheduled to work at least 15 but less than 30 hours per week ) you are eligible to participate in the Group Health Plan. To participate you must elect coverage within the first 30 consecutive calendar days of employment. You are required to pay one-half of the employer portion of the premium as well as the employee's portion. If chosen, your health care benefits will be effective the first day of the calendar month following 30 consecutive days of employment. Changes may also be made during the annual or open enrollment period or with a qualified status change.
Information can be found at http://www.local71.com
Your association participates in the LTC Health Trust. When deductions become necessary, the employee's portion of the pre-tax premium is deducted 50% each pay period. Health care benefits are effective the first day of the calendar month following 30 continuous days of employment. Contact your union representative for enrollment information.
Additional benefits are available through the Group Health Trust, such as additional supplemental coverage.