Alaska Senate adds telehealth parity and disability coverage to benefits bill

The Alaska Senate added major healthcare changes to a small welfare bill Wednesday. The bill now guarantees equal pay for telehealth visits. It also restores coverage for injured troopers and firefighters.

The changes came as amendments to House Bill 14. That bill originally just repealed a program that served one person in 2021 and none since. Senator Matt Claman attached the telehealth language after his own bill stalled in the House.

"This ensures pay parity for telehealth services," Claman said. He noted 28 other states have similar laws.

The telehealth amendment passed 14-6. It requires insurers to pay the same rate for remote care as in-person visits. Out-of-state providers are exempt. The provision extends to mental health services.

Disability benefits

A second amendment addresses public safety workers who suffer career-ending injuries. Under current law, a disabled trooper or firefighter gets 40 percent of salary. They lose health insurance.

The amendment raises disability pay to 75 percent after the first year. It restores healthcare. The trust funds that would cover the change are overfunded. The public employees' trust stands at 399 percent. The teachers' trust is at 5,172 percent.

Senator Robert Myers questioned whether the disability language violated the single-subject rule. Legislative legal staff said both fit under the topic of health.

Original bill

The original bill repeals the Catastrophic and Acute Medical Assistance Program. Senator Mike Cronk said it cost up to $150,000 a year to run despite serving no one.

The amended bill passed 19-1. It returns to the House for agreement on the Senate changes.